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Man City have invested over £200m into a super-squad… and here is how we ought to line up to win the Premier League

Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi and Ilkay Gundogan do not make the cut in a team which should challenge for honours at home and abroad

AS a Manchester City fan, I’m still not 100 per cent used to feeling positive going into a new season.

Too often I have got my hopes up and been disappointed.

 Man City boss Pep Guardiola has a wealth of talent to pick from
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Man City boss Pep Guardiola has a wealth of talent to pick fromCredit: PA:Press Association
 Ederson will hope to have a better season than Claudio Bravo
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Ederson will hope to have a better season than Claudio BravoCredit: Getty - Contributor

I’m willing to admit that after Guardiola’s perfect start last year, I was one of I was one of the many City fans in September loudly declaring us champions… only for us to end up clinging onto the top four on the final day of the season.


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This said, it does really feel like this year could be a relatively painless one and possibly, even, enjoyable.

I actually think we’ve bought remarkably well.

I’m aware we may have ‘overspent’ but the last time I checked, it’s not my money we’re spending and the quality of player we’ve bought is extremely high.

Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy are both very popular here but I think any City fan could see last season they were past their sell-by-date and our full backs were a real weakness. The less said about Claudio Bravo the better.

We’ve bought Ben Mendy who is very highly rated in France and of course Kyle Walker, who everyone seems to have forgotten was decided by the PFA to be the best right back in the league.

In goal, Ederson looks like he’s just ‘fits’ what Pep needs, although we’ve only seen a handful of appearances.

 Ilkay Gundogan may be edged out if David Silva drops deep
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Ilkay Gundogan may be edged out if David Silva drops deepCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Gabriel Jesus had some issues with injuries last season
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Gabriel Jesus had some issues with injuries last seasonCredit: Getty - Contributor

Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan both had major injuries and will hopefully feel like new signings when introduced.

I expect serious rotation throughout the season with Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi and Ilkay Gundogan all to feature heavily.

But we will most likely play with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ederson in goal, Kyle Walker, Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Mendy in defence, Yaya Toure, David Silva sitting deep, and Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling all supporting Sergio Aguero.

 Here's how Man City could line up this season as they storm to the title
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Here's how Man City could line up this season as they storm to the title
 Benjamin Mendy is highly thought of in France
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Benjamin Mendy is highly thought of in FranceCredit: AFP or licensors
 Kyle Walker was the world's most expensive defender for a brief spell
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Kyle Walker was the world's most expensive defender for a brief spellCredit: Reuters

I think we have to win big this year. We’ve spent a lot of money and Guardiola has had the time he’s asked for, we’ll look silly if we don’t. I’m rarely optimistic about City but this time, I’ll go on record and say we’re going to win the league.
League Prediction: First

Champions League: Semi Final

 Sergio Aguero was dropped to the bench when Gabriel Jesus arrived
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Sergio Aguero was dropped to the bench when Gabriel Jesus arrivedCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Benjamin Meny is expected to start at left-back
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Benjamin Meny is expected to start at left-backCredit: Getty - Contributor

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 Bernardo Silva may not make the first team but will rotate in
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Bernardo Silva may not make the first team but will rotate inCredit: EPA


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