The chasers are improving... but it’ll be a while before City are knocked off their perch
I’VE got bad news for those clubs who are already dreaming of catching Manchester City next season... they’re not getting any weaker any time soon.
I’m a huge fan of what Arsenal have done this season. I’ve genuinely enjoyed watching them, and genuinely admired the balance which Mikel Arteta has brought to the side.
Newcastle too, have been a good watch, and I like the way Eddie Howe has started from the back to give them a massively solid base to launch a physical and pacy attack… and no doubt, they’ll be stronger next season.
Liverpool can’t be as bad either and I have absolutely no doubt Jurgen Klopp will recruit well in the summer and give them the missing ingredient in their midfield. United could take a couple of years, but they’ll grow.
Sounds good on paper doesn’t it? At least four teams improving, and putting pressure on the championselect to try to ensure the Premier League doesn’t become a one-horse town like the French Ligue 1.
Yet if you look at the age profile of City’s team, then they have almost by stealth got themselves a squad that still has years left in it.
Outside their back-up keeper – my former team-mate Scott Carson – who’s making me feel bloody ancient given I packed in about 15 years ago – they only have four players over the age of 30 in their entire squad… and one of those is Kevin De Bruyne, who is among the best in the world.
They have six players aged 23 or under who have made at least 20 appearances this season. Add Ruben Dias and Rodri to that, and they’ve got almost an entire outfield team with many years left in them.
Yet that’s not the reason I’d suggest the rest should be fearful. You don’t get a squad profile like that by accident. And I’ve been told they are hyper-aware of maintaining that young profile. In fact, I’ve heard they have looked at Liverpool’s experience this season, and are determined not to repeat the same mistake of letting players get old together.
That is why I expect them to go and sign players as mid-term replacements, for the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan this summer. The time to strengthen is when you’re at your strongest, because that’s when you have your biggest appeal.
Liverpool may have thought they were safe in assuming Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-chamberlain – who are in that middle-age bracket – would play a strong role in their squad, but have been AWOL. It means they had a huge gap between their veterans and the kids of the next generation, with the resulting inconsistency largely down to that.
It also means they could struggle to recruit right at the very top, with no Champions League.
City will believe that if they can bring in the right players, and gently introduce them into the team, then they can dominate for, well, as long as Pep Guardiola wants to stay.
That’s not to say Arsenal and Newcastle can’t put on more pressure.
Both have taken big steps and I don’t want to take anything away from them.
Newcastle will get backing in the transfer market, and they will have Champions League football to offer, no doubt. They’ve also got a massively intimidating atmosphere at St James’.
You’ve seen what that does for Liverpool at Anfield, and Newcastle can have the same effect next year, while I think Arsenal are an exciting young side who are young enough to grow.
But at the start of next season when the bookies post their Premier League odds City will be favourites again. Overwhelming favourites. They’ll keep on winning, no doubt.
Liverpool have been bloody incredible for four or five seasons, but have one title to show for it – and I don’t see that changing any time soon.