As the Premier League kicks off yet another season, Manchester City stands as an almost imperious force on the pitch. With four games completed, the reigning champions have yet to falter, boasting a flawless record and holding the top spot with an impressive tally of 11 goals scored. The question on everyone’s lips is: can Manchester City, having made history as the first Premier League team to secure four consecutive titles last season, extend their dominance to a fifth straight crown?
Shaun Wright-Phillips, a former Manchester City winger and now an ambassador for the Premier League, remains optimistic about City’s prospects. Currently, on a tour of India showcasing the Premier League trophies, Wright-Phillips reflects on City’s current form and the challenges ahead.
“I’d like to think so,” Wright-Phillips says of City’s chances. “If they can win it again, that’s not a bad thing. The group remains essentially unchanged. Sylvinho is back, and you have the incredible Ilkay Gundogan returning. They strengthen City differently and offer them a different edge. Losing a player as talented as Julian Alvarez is heartbreaking, but in football, things happen. The players that play for City step up and take the necessary actions when things get tough. City has a knack for handling situations like these. The city is in a great place. The season is only a couple of games in. At the moment, it is about getting fitter, sharper, and taking every game as it comes.”
Wright-Phillips’s insight is grounded in his experience with the club. The 42-year-old had two stints with Manchester City, his initial spell from 1999 to 2005 coinciding with a period of decline. However, his departure in the summer of 2008 marked the beginning of a new era. That summer, Sheikh Mansour of the United Arab Emirates purchased the club, setting the stage for an unprecedented period of success, including the treble-winning season of 2022–2023. According to Wright-Phillips, the key to this success lies in the mindset of both the players and their manager, Pep Guardiola.
“It’s amazing how they always strive to be at the top of their game. The mental fortitude and physical strain required to win four straight games and the triple crown is astounding,” he notes.
One player epitomizing this relentless drive is Erling Haaland. With nine goals in just four games this season and two hat-tricks to his name, Haaland has now netted 99 goals for City in a mere 104 appearances. His performance is a testament to his remarkable talent and determination.
“He joined the team intending to score goals, and he is succeeding in that endeavour. In just two years, he is breaking every single record that is humanly imaginable. Yes, he has also become a better all-around player in many aspects. In just two years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest players. No one else has accomplished what he has. It would be incorrect to leave him out of there. He is handling everything flawlessly,” Wright-Phillips praises.
As for City’s competition this season, Wright-Phillips highlights Arsenal and Liverpool as key rivals. Despite Arsenal’s impressive management and team cohesion, and Liverpool’s renewed vigour under a new manager, he acknowledges that City’s main challengers are formidable. “City vs. Arsenal has arrived far too soon in many respects. The players would have been much sharper after ten or fifteen games, therefore it would have been better,” he explains.
With the season still in its early stages, Manchester City’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive title remains a thrilling prospect. The team’s current form, coupled with their robust squad and the tactical acumen of Guardiola, positions them as the favourites once again. However, the challenge from Arsenal, Liverpool, and potentially other contenders ensures that the race for the Premier League crown will be as intense as ever.
As fans and pundits alike watch the season unfold, one thing is clear: Manchester City’s quest for continued dominance will be one of the most compelling narratives of this Premier League campaign.