The business end of the Premier League season is approaching and the title race is starting to heat up nicely.
Unlike in recent years when it has been a two-horse race at best, there is a strong field of contenders emerging to challenge for Manchester City’s crown this time around.
The Blues have been Premier League champions for five of the last six years, with Liverpool’s triumph in 2020 the only blip on the recent record.
Pep Guardiola’s side won a treble to boot last term as their dominance reached its peak. However, they will have a task to retain their title.
City currently sit second in the table, two points off leaders Liverpool, on the same number of points as Arsenal on 49. Aston Villa and Tottenham aren’t far behind, either.
Kevin De Bruyne believes all four of them are genuine contenders but is trying to take things one game at a time.
Kevin De Bruyne names Manchester City’s title challengers
“There are so many teams there,” De Bruyne told Standard Sport. “Liverpool and Arsenal are there with us, but I’d say even [Aston] Villa and Tottenham are close.
“We will be fighting with five for the moment. There’s a little pressure anyway to do well, but there’s no point looking at what’s going to happen in two months.
“We need to win games now and try to enjoy it. We know what we need to do. The pressure is always there, but we’re ready to fight again until the end.”
Manchester City’s biggest threat
Given Liverpool are the current pace-setters, they appear to be City’s biggest threat at the moment. They have managed to maintain steady form despite losing key players, including Mohamed Salah, to international tournaments in the new year and have so much talent across the pitch.
Additionally, the narrative surrounding Jurgen Klopp’s final months in charge after nine years at Anfield could be a powerful factor.
Yet, Liverpool fell short when they met Arsenal on Sunday, losing 3-1. The Gunners haven’t been as dazzling going forward this season but Mikel Arteta has sacrificed attacking flair for a solider foundation.
Arsenal have only conceded 22 goals, the joint least in the league, and will be buoyed by their big win.
Though Tottenham and Villa have been impressive, it’s hard to see either having the consistency to stay the course and keep up with the top three.
But, as things stand, the race is still wide open. City don’t meet Arsenal or Liverpool until March and it will be interesting to see how the table is looking by then.
