Manchester City have been pre-season favorites according to BBC predictors for eight of the ten seasons since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016, winning the championship six times during that stretch. However, with Enzo Maresca now at the helm, only 12% (3/26) believe they can reclaim the title this season.
Shay Given – Prediction: 1st
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I don’t think Pep’s departure will result in a situation akin to Sir Alex Ferguson leaving United. In fact, I predict the opposite due to the introduction of a new voice in the locker room. These players haven’t won the Premier League in two years, so their appetite for success will be greater. I foresee City finishing at the top.
Chris Sutton – Prediction: 2nd
The pressure will be on Maresca right from the start, particularly in trying to replace Rodri, whose replacement will be nearly impossible. They are pursuing Lille‘s Ayyoub Bouaddi, a talented but inexperienced 18-year-old, which could prove to be a hefty gamble.
Troy Deeney – Prediction: 3rd.
My assessment of City isn’t influenced by their performance in the Community Shield but rather by my observations of Enzo Maresca during his time with Leicester and Chelsea.
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I’m uncertain if he can truly exert his demands over the players. While Pep has influenced many coaches, Mikel Arteta is the only one who has adapted Guardiola’s principles into his own framework. I don’t wish to be disrespectful, but Maresca feels like a simplified version of Guardiola. He adheres strictly to one style of play and doesn’t seem to adapt. This was evident on Sunday when City’s defense struggled, showing that even with a roster of elite players, his teams can be vulnerable.
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