Following my prediction for the 26/27 season of Man United, this one is about Man City, who will have their first season without Guardiola. I would not call it negativity, I do not think that would be the right word, but the optimism has decreased. Guardiola’s departure and the departure of major figures, although more veteran ones, show a side of Manchester City that we have not seen for a long time and that I feel will return to normality.
The level shown by Guardiola’s City was something absurd, and it is not that I do not believe in Maresca or the team, which is very strong, but I feel that the main figure of the team was always Guardiola, who constantly reinvented himself, and now you will not have that.
I can also say that City are not favourites to win the Premier League, as they normally were, and once again my view comes from the factor of Guardiola’s absence.
In terms of signings, the main one was Anderson and you also have the return of players who were out on loan, such as the promising Echeverri and Vitor Reis. There are major departures such as Bernardo Silva and Rodri, who will leave, it is just a matter of time. With Rodri leaving, City should sign the Moroccan sensation from the World Cup, Bouadi, who is only 18 years old.
The team is strong, very strong, and has everything to compete for every competition, but once again, the absurdity that Guardiola normalised may not happen and the level may drop, because that is what normality is. Guardiola’s normal is at a much higher level than Maresca’s normal.
Premier League → 2nd
FA Cup → 🏆 Champions
Carabao Cup → Semi-finals
Champions League → Quarter-finals
Community Shield → Lose to Arsenal in the final
Conclusion
I think City will finish with at least one trophy, but it will not be the Premier League or the Champions League. I do not want to give relevance to the Community Shield, because whether they lose or win, it does not mean much. City can win one of the domestic cups and it would be interesting for Maresca to start his first season with a trophy.