Is the current Manchester City team the greatest in Premier League history?

[Cricket Warrior]

Imperious Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 at Etihad Stadium to become the first team to win the English league title four seasons in a row.

The Premier League is arguably the most competitive football league in the world, with top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal also vying for supremacy. City's ability to consistently outperform these rivals speaks volumes about their quality.

To determine if Manchester City is the greatest Premier League team ever, comparisons with other legendary sides are inevitable. Manchester United's treble-winning team of 1998–99, Arsenal's "Invincibles" of 2003–04, and Chelsea's dominant side under Jose Mourinho are often cited as benchmarks. Each of these teams had its unique strengths and achievements, making the debate a subjective one.

Manchester City's recent era of dominance, characterized by a plethora of trophies, record-breaking performances and a revolutionary style of play makes a compelling case for them being the greatest team in Premier League history. While the debate will continue, what is undeniable is City's profound impact on English football and their role in elevating the standards of the Premier League. Whether they are ultimately regarded as the greatest will depend on personal perspectives but their place among the elite is firmly cemented.

What do you guys think, Is it just luck working for City or have they truly become the Thanos of the EPL?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Manchester City's domination of the domestic game is now so all-consuming that a historic fourth successive Premier League title is treated like an inevitable matter of routine.

City went into the final game of the season ahead for the sixth time in seven seasons needing only a win over West Ham United to lift the crown once more - and they duly delivered.

In doing so, Pep Guardiola's all-conquering team once again proved they are the great untouchables of the Premier League.

They appear impervious to normal pressures - and the fact they have rewritten the record books will barely provoke excessive comment or deep-dive analysis. It was expected. The seismic shock would have been failure to complete their mission.

It is a stretch to say Manchester City have become so aligned with success that these unprecedented feats are met with a shrug of the shoulders, but the fact they have won 19 and drawn four of 23 league games since losing at Aston Villa in December has surprised very few.

This is where the elephant in the room must be mentioned because every City success will be accompanied by the narrative that they still face 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial irregularities - charges the club are at pains to stress they strenuously deny.

It is 15 months since those charges were levelled at the club. Unless and until there is clarity and a verdict, City will always be subjected to this outside noise and suspicion every time they win a trophy.

If the measure is football, however, there are no arguments.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Yes, they have just won the fourth successive Premier League title and we may see him winning the next few titles as well. They have world class players in all departments and probably the best football manager.

 

[PakLFC]

No way! Can't even be considered as being the best until the 115 charges are hanging against them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Can't say the greatest team but yes, they are one of the greatest ones.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Arsenal 2001-2004

The Gunners' legacy of this timeframe was the incredible 'Invincibles' season of 2003-04 when they became the first, and still only, team to go unbeaten in a Premier League campaign.

French stars Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, as well as Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, were aided by England defenders Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell in a side that made history.

Chelsea 2004-2007

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho celebrates winning the league with his players

Jose Mourinho helped establish Chelsea as one of the Premier League's top teams when he arrived in 2004.

And his personality - as he became known as 'the Special One' following a slight misquote from his opening Chelsea news conference - shook up the Premier League.

He led them to two Premier League titles, and a second-placed finish, in his three full seasons in charge before a fractious exit - which would become a running theme in his managerial career.

Stalwarts of the side included England trio Frank Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole, plus goalkeeper Petr Cech, holding midfielder Claude Makelele and striker Didier Drogba.

Manchester United 2006-2011

This was seen as Ferguson's second great United team.

After three seasons without a Premier League title, they went on to win three in a row and four in five years.

They lifted their second (and most recent) Champions League trophy in this time, beating Chelsea on penalties in 2007-08.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were the attacking stars of this team, with Ronaldo leaving after the third consecutive title. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was finally a worthy replacement for Schmeichel, Rio Ferdinand was impressive at the back and Giggs and Scholes were still going strong.

Manchester City 2017-2024

And finally, Guardiola's current City side, who are the first team to win four top-flight titles in succession, that takes their tally to six in seven.

That run started off with a record 100-point haul in 2017-18 and 98 points the following season.

Last season they managed the Treble of winning Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles.

City's dominance, with just one Liverpool title puncturing the run, has been helped by their sensational form in the run-in in most of the campaigns.

Kevin de Bruyne, Ederson, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kyle Walker have been there for all the titles, with Sergio Aguero and then Erling Haaland banging in the goals.

Source: BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Grealish will be 'back' after 'struggles' - Guardiola​

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Jack Grealish to return to form after "struggles" this season.

After playing a key role in City’s historic Treble success last season, including being a starter in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals, Grealish has been on the outside of this term’s run-in.

Grealish, 28, started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid but featured for only 10 minutes in City’s five games in May.

He was an unused substitute in key Premier League games against Tottenham and West Ham and was on the bench throughout the FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United.

Guardiola instead opted for Jeremy Doku off the bench and the Belgium winger scored in the 2-1 defeat.

While he was named in Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man squad, Grealish cannot be completely certain of his place at Euro 2024 given the attacking options at England’s disposal.

But Guardiola doesn’t see any significant issues with his £100m record signing.

“He will be back," said the City manager.

"He’s struggled this season and Jeremy has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I'm pretty sure."

Summer changes at City?

Guardiola has already said he is committed to the final year of his City contract.

He does have issues to address this summer though, even after a season in which his side became the first team in English football history to win four league titles in a row.

At 32, Kevin de Bruyne has one year left on his current deal but, not for the first time this season, looked a shadow of his usual self against United and was replaced after less than an hour.

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips is likely to leave the club this summer after his disastrous loan move to West Ham.

There are also question marks over first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and understudy Stefan Ortega, who was at fault for the opening goal against United and also has a contract that expires in 2025.

City paid Wolves £53m for midfielder Matheus Nunes in September but he started just seven Premier League games, only one since February, and like Grealish remained on the bench as the campaign reached its climax.

“I know some players have to take a decision on whether they stay with us and some players might come,” said Guardiola.

“My sporting director says everything is fine for next year but right now, I don’t know what might happen.”

There is likely to be one significant addition to the squad next season in the form of 20-year-old wide-man Savio.

The Brazilian has been outstanding in Girona’s amazing La Liga campaign, which has qualified them for the expanded Champions League.

He was already on loan from another City Football Group club, Troyes, and his switch to Manchester is expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Jack Grealish: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola backs midfielder to bounce back

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is confident Jack Grealish will bounce back from a season of struggle.

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Manchester City want to commit Erling Haaland to a new deal and Arsenal have enquired with Barcelona about Mikayil Faye.

Manchester City have made tying down Norway forward Erling Haaland, 23, to a new deal at Etihad Stadium a priority.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Premier League 'ours to lose', says Man City's Walker

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker says the Premier League is "ours to lose" as his side look to win an unprecedented fifth title in a row.

City were the first club to win four successive English top-flight championships last term and begin their defence on Sunday when they travel to Chelsea.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, England full-back Walker said: "I wouldn't say it's an ego, but we've done this now four times in a row - this is our trophy to lose.

"I can assure you, when you're looking down at your arm and you've got that gold badge that no-one else has got it's a good feeling. Long may it continue."

Meanwhile, reflecting on England's Euro 2024 campaign in the latest episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker, he said the team "put more weight on our shoulders than was probably needed" as they finished runners-up to Spain.

Under manager Pep Guardiola, City have become a ruthless winning machine - but getting motivated for new campaigns hasn't got any more difficult.

Walker added: "For us to go and do four in a row off the back of a Treble was a great achievement. To pick yourself up and go again after such a high, plus we won the Super Cup and Club World Cup as well, was especially important.

"Now, why can't we go and do five in a row? Why can't we go and do something I don't think will probably be ever be done again? That's the motivation we have to create from us as a group of players, from me as a captain."

Kyle Walker: Manchester City captain says Premier League is 'ours to lose'

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker says the Premier League is "ours to lose" as his side look to win an unprecedented fifth title in a row.

www.bbc.com

 

[sweep_shot]

They are the best in recent times.

But, are they the best in PL history? I don't think so. They were ordinary even 15 years ago.

Manchester City are still behind Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal in terms of trophy counts.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Burnley began life under Scott Parker with a hugely impressive statement win against fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Luton.

Relegated from the Premier League alongside Sheffield United in May, both sides are expected to challenge at the top end of the table this season but Burnley looked a level above an admittedly depleted Hatters team.

Captain Josh Brownhill opened the scoring and Wilson Odobert doubled the visitors’ lead before half-time with an equally composed finish.

Untypically tentative and lacking their trademark intensity, the Hatters could have found themselves four down without a fantastic pair of saves from Thomas Kaminski at the start of the second half, the Belgium goalkeeper denying first Dara O’Shea and then Vitinho in front of the away end.

Tahith Chong’s close-range effort briefly gave the hosts hope of a comeback but O’Shea was not to be denied, heading powerfully home, before Vitinho arrowed in a late fourth.

Parker makes his mark

Parker’s last competitive game in charge of an English side was a harrowing 9-0 defeat at Anfield. A repeat never looked likely from the moment Brownhill ran clear of a young Luton defence to steer through the legs of Kaminski.

Parker has pedigree at this level - taking both Fulham and Bournemouth up - and his team were organised, confident and surprisingly direct throughout.

The first two goals came from early long passes in behind the Luton backline in a notable change from the patient possession game favoured by new Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany and they were a threat from set-pieces throughout.

After Chong pulled one back, O'Shea's powerful header was excellently guided in before Lyle Foster ran from his own half to tee up Vitinho for a low drive.

Twenty-eight teams have bounced back from relegation at the first attempt since the formation of the Premier League, including both Leicester and Southampton last season.

Both of these teams will aim to join that list, with Luton boss Rob Edwards saying on Friday that he “embraced” the expectation of returning the Hatters to the big time at the first time of asking.

His team has been shorn of quality in midfield and he has first-choice defenders missing but this was a worrying start.

A brief spell at the start of the second period saw Elijah Adebayo flick a header onto the bar and Chong score, but other than that Burnley were comfortable.

They won the second tier with 101 points under Kompany two seasons ago and could well be the team to beat again.

What the managers said

Burnley manager Scott Parker:

"The execution of what we went out to do was incredible, and the belief and the confidence that this result will bring.

"From afar, people will look at it and will talk about it. But the biggest thing is the statement we've proved to ourselves.

"A lot of hard work has gone in, a different voice from myself. To a man, the players were superb."

Luton manager Rob Edwards to BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It's not the result we wanted and there will be frustration.

"Our vulnerability is that ball in behind with the way we play and that showed up tonight. We have to work hard to make sure that doesn't happen.

"If you take the goals out of that there was a good performance from a young team and we will continue to get better. We have six or seven players who will be back soon and we want to get one or two in as well.

"Burnley are a good team and they punished us. We dominated a lot of the game."

BBC

 

[Bhaijaan]

They’re not yet the Red devils of Manchester

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Manchester City not doubt are a great side but not the best ever produced in English football history.