FIVE-POINT PLAN

1 SOLVE SANÉ Leroy Sané tied Raheem Sterling with 10 assists during 2018-19 (joint-sixth in the Premier League) despite playing nearly 900 minutes less. The German can be devastating, yet questions still remain about his consistency – he started all four of City’s league losses last season – and his hunger, recording only eight shots, one goal and no assists in 199 minutes as a league sub. Might Sané be allergic to Guardiola’s constant promptings? 2 YOUNG BLOOD Supporters, reporters and Gareth Southgate would all love to see a big advance on Phil Foden’s 330 league minutes in 2018-19 (1,107 in all competitions). City’s midfield riches and Guardiola’s eagerness to protect the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ mean Foden’s progress may again be measured, but at least doubling his league playing time should be a target. Fans want to see a bit more of defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Felix Nmecha as well. 3 BACK SUPPORT Vincent Kompany’s departure and Fernandinho’s age leaves the spine in need of work. A busy summer in the transfer market – necessary with a possible ban looming – should provide some of the answers, but what will that mean for John Stones’ development? 4 MORE PEP? Guardiola doesn’t normally hang around – he led Barcelona for four seasons, Bayern for three and is scheduled to leave City at the end of his fifth, in 2020-21. But City believe he might be tempted to sign a three-year extension; delaying what may otherwise be complex succession planning for an employer that would look considerably less attractive if locked out of Europe and/or the summer transfer market. 5 LAW WAR The quadruple was strenuous, but more difficult still might be facing sanctions from the ‘fourmidables’ of UEFA, FIFA, the FA and the Premier League. Whatever their verdicts, fans would love to see City not just challenge any European suspension, but launch a concerted legal challenge on UEFA’S, drawbridge-raising equivalent of FFP.