MANCHESTER CITY

James Ducker

How have they done?

The champions have the same number of points – 10 – as they did after four games last season and also beat Chelsea in the Community Shield. Pep Guardiola (right) has said he is satisfied with what he has seen so far but insisted his side are some way off the level – both in terms of fitness and performance – that he will demand once all his squad are up to speed, which does not augur well for their rivals.

What has the mood been like?

Guardiola has been hammering home the perils of complacency during meetings and team talks with his squad to ensure there is no loss of focus or hunger as City bid to become the first side for a decade to retain the Premier League title. The loss of Kevin De Bruyne for at least two months with knee ligament damage was a severe setback, while back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will be out for much of the campaign with a ruptured Achilles.

Have the signings looked good?

It is still early days for Riyad Mahrez, City’s only summer recruit, who struggled in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle. With intense competition in the forward positions, the

£60 million

Algeria playmaker’s desperation to make a quick impression is understandable but he looks like a player who could do with relaxing a little.

Who has impressed and who needs to raise their game?

The England trio of Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Kyle Walker have started the season with purpose, as have David Silva and Sergio Aguero, but Guardiola was making a point to Leroy Sane when omitting the Germany winger from his squad against Newcastle. Sane’s attitude and displays in training have been questioned and Guardiola has thrown down an early marker by making it clear he will not

tolerate a slip in standards.

What issue does the manager need to fix as a priority?

Benjamin Mendy (left) has been exhilarating going forward but Guardiola has to ensure the Frenchman’s eagerness to join the attack does not compromise City too much defensively. How the manager accommodates Mendy and Sane – whenever the German convinces Guardiola that he is ready for inclusion – in the same side could be one of his biggest conundrums during the season.