Sergio Aguero is confident Manchester City will assert themselves as a genuine force once again and reclaim the Premier League title.
City’s sustained period of dominance came crashing to a halt last season as Liverpool stormed to the title in Arne Slot’s first year at the helm in English football.
Having lifted the trophy in each of the previous four seasons, City eventually had to settle for third place, with Pep Guardiola’s side finishing 13 points adrift of the Merseyside giants in the top flight.
But City fans should be encouraged by their mini-resurgence across a strong end to the campaign to ensure another year of Champions League football which, at times, looked doubtful.
The club have also signalled their intent in the transfer market, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford and Sverre Nypan arriving through the doors at the Etihad – for a combined fee of around £150million – this summer.
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A potentially tricky opening contest away to Wolves awaits the eight-time English champions this weekend and there will be enormous pressure on Guardiola’s men to get off to the perfect start at Molineux.
But City legend Aguero cannot wait for the new season to get up and running and is clearly optimistic about the side’s chances of reaffirming their stranglehold on the league.
Asked which club he thinks will clinch the title, Aguero told Stake.com: ‘Manchester City.
Pressed for a top-four prediction, the Argentine replied: ‘Not in order, I think Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.’
Aguero is confident Erling Haaland’s goalscoring tally will have a big say in how City are placed come the business end of the campaign.
The five-time Premier League winner is also curious to see how Viktor Gyokeres adapts to Premier League football and believes the Swede could ‘shake things up’ in his debut season with Arsenal.
Asked who could get their hands on the Golden Boot, Aguero responded: ‘I’d like Haaland to win awards because that means he’s sure to have a scored a lot for City.
‘(Mohamed) Salah’s name should be brought up when we talk about the Golden Boot, same with Isak. And players arriving to the Premier League with a massive tally like Gyokeres at Arsenal have a chance to shake things up.’
Aguero hopes to see Phil Foden return to his best and play with a smile on his face once again after an off season for the City attacker, in which he managed just seven goals and two assists in the top flight.
‘I’d like Foden to win Player of the Year again,’ he said when asked who could be up for the PFA Player of the Year award.
‘I’ve mentioned Phil but there’s also (Alexis) Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer or Declan Rice. They are sure to stand out and have a shot at the accolade.’
Aguero has been impressed by Liverpool’s recruitment across the summer and feels the possible addition of Alexander Isak could take the Reds to another level altogether.
‘Isak’s potential arrival (to Liverpool) could make them very dangerous, offensively,’ he continued.
‘On the one hand, Liverpool just lost two major forwards: Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz. On the other, Wirtz coming from the Bundesliga should add some playmaking capability.
‘Ekitike has shown a knack for goalscoring on his past tenure at Eintracht, so he should be another factor too.’
Will Man City reclaim the title this season?
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