How might Man City line up? Strengths, weaknesses and predicted finish

Manchester CIty will have been disappointed with the previous campaign, not just because they lost their Premier League crown to Liverpool, but the manner with which they forfeited the title as they ended up 18 points off the Reds. With a quick turnaround, the City hierarchy and fans will demand a return to winning ways both domestically and on the continent. With their European ban overturned, the Champions League, though, is the priority for Pep Guardiola's side this term. 

Last Season 

Manchester City fell well short in their quest to secure a third successive Premier League crown as they ended the season 18 points behind Liverpool in second spot. It was a fairly underwhelming finish to the domestic season for City, who, for all of the money spent to strengthen the squad, had just a Carabao Cup triumph to show for their efforts. 

They crave the Champions League, but even then they fell short, crashing out at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Ligue 1 outfit Lyon after Pep Guardiola went on one of his tactical hairbrained schemes to get the better of the French side. Meanwhile in the FA Cup, a semi-final exit at the hands of eventual winners Arsenal means 2019/20 was a fairly disastrous one for City given their lofty expectations. Indeed, it's back to the drawing board for Guardiola with 2020/21 looming. 

Strengths 

Manchester City's greatest strength comes in the final third, of course. Having netted 102 league goals last season, it means they have netted in excess of 100 Premier League goals in two of the last three top-flight campaigns. Pep Guardiola's side are more than capable of putting any opponent to the sword on their day through the likes of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, with assist kingpin Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strengths from midfield. 

The defence still needs improvement, but City have moved to address that concern with the big money capture of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. And in goal, Ederson won the Golden Glove last season having kept 16 clean sheets, so it is minor tweaks required and adjustments required to have them back to their best for next season. 

Weaknesses 

Left-back remains a concern for Pep Guardiola. Benjamin Mendy is injury-prone and is yet to full convince the City boss that he warrants a regular spot in the starting XI, while Oleksandr Zinchenko isn't the long-term solution to the problem. Joao Cancelo has deputised on occasion, but a right-back by trade, City could yet invest in a new left-back before the close of the window. Nathan Ake can play there as he has done for the Netherlands, yet even so, another defender is required.

Then there is the David Silva conundrum. The Spaniard left for Real Sociedad over the summer and while Phil Foden is ready to step up to succeed Silva, City remain a top quality central midfielder short on the back of the 34-year-old's departure. 

Transfer Roundup 

Leroy Sane secured his long-awaited move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer and City acted swiftly to land his replacement in the form of Ferran Torres from Valencia. The youngster is unlikely to be a regular starter from the get go, however he is an additional wide threat that swells City's attacking options. 

Nathan Ake, too, has come in from Bournemouth and the Dutchman is an improvement on Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones. City continue to be heavily linked with Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as they seek to strengthen the defence further, yet there will be no move for Barcelona legend Lionel Messi after the Argentine committed to the Blaugrana for one final season. 

Prediction

 
Manchester City will be in with a shout for Premier League glory, of that there is no doubt. Pep Guardiola has sought to rectify problem areas already this summer, with Ferran Torres an additional wide threat that was found wanting last season in the wake of Leroy Sane's injury. Nathan Ake bolsters a backline that was in dire need of investment, too, and there is likely to be more to come from City before the close of the transfer window. 

However, Guardiola's willingness to overcomplicate his tactics and overthink matches - see the Lyon Champions League defeat - may again come back to haunt City as they look to close the gap between themselves and Liverpool and secure domestic glory once more.

Predicted League Finish: 2nd