Manchester City have clinched another Premier League title after Manchester United’s defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola’s men squandered the chance to do it themselves by losing to Chelsea last weekend, but the title is still coming home to the Etihad Stadium.
That’s three out of the last four titles won by City, and it’s hard to see anybody stopping Pep’s men next season.
Still, there are some moves City can make this summer to help next season and beyond – here are five of them…
Sort out Fernandinho’s future
The Brazilian ace has enjoyed another fine season, but his contract is set to expire. With Sergio Aguero leaving this summer, City could do to avoid losing two leaders at once. If City can’t convince the 35-year-old to stay, then they need to be identifying potential replacements quickly.
Replace Aguero
Pep is a master of winning games without playing a striker, but Aguero’s exit this summer leaves City light up top. Gabriel Jesus isn’t quite the goalscorer City need, so City must go out into the market and find another striker. Danny Ings is maybe more realistic than Erling Haaland, but either would boost Pep’s striking options.
Find another left back
We all saw Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Benjamin Mendy being skinned by Reece James last weekend. Pep just can’t rely on Mendy anymore, and whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko has fared well this term, another left back has to be a priority for City in order to keep moving forward.
Make a decision on Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s contract still has two years left to run, but some clarity would be great. If City can’t reach an agreement to extend his deal, then it may be the time to sell up before he enters the final 18 months of his contract and his value falls.
Get Liam Delap a loan move
Will this help City win the title next season? Probably not. Could it help pay dividends in a couple of years? Quite possibly. Delap has major talent and is now ready for a Championship loan move. Getting him out and gaining experience could give City a devastating striker in the future.
