1. Squad depth
City has already made a blistering start to their Premier League defence with a 2-0 rout of Arsenal at Emirates. The depth of this City squad is dangerous. A game with Arsenal at Emirates and players like Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne, and Gabriel Jesus were not even in the starting line-up.
Add to that list, David Silva, who was not even at the Emirates. With this squad, they can easily afford to rest players at will and keep them fresh for big games and the Champions League.
2. Full Backs
Premier League has always been about top quality full backs. The title winning side of Manchester United had quality full backs who used to maraud forward at ease and track back similarly for defend.
Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker are crucial for Manchester City this season. They are young, quick and can cross the ball at will. Walker had an excellent campaign, last season under Guardiola.
Mendy is more like a new addition to the squad after missing out almost the entire season due to injury. If these two stay fit, there will be no stopping City this season.
3. New Arrival
The good thing about City is that they have managed to retain all the players from their title winning campaign. They didn’t go out and spend lavishly in the transfer market unlike last season.
The only new arrival this season has been Riyad Mahrez. He is a top quality player with all the tricks up his sleeve. He was pivotal for Leicester in their title winning season and would love to add another league title in that list.
City wanted to get him last season but only for the bid to be rejected by Leicester. Now that they have their man, it only makes this already strong City squad even stronger.
4. Ederson
City invested heavily last season on their defence and goal-keeper. The arrival of Ederson has certainly boosted the confidence of the team to a large extent. Claudio Bravo looked fragile in his first season. He made quite a few mistakes and it costed Manchester City dearly.
Ederson personifies Guardiola’s philosophy. He plays from the back, which Pep prefers and his distribution seems to be accurate. He will play a major role again this season if City are going to defend their title.
5. Sergio Agüero
Man City’s all-time leading goal scorer. A deadly finisher and an excellent striker of the ball. It once looked like Pep preferred Jesus over Aguero and there were serious doubts whether both of them will be able to play together.
But Guardiola, the genius that he is, blended them together pretty well and as he was City’s top goal scorer again last season. Pep will be expecting the same this time around.