Pep Guardiola has already praised an ideal Riyad Mahrez replacement for Man City

Manchester City proved they are the best team in the world last season and by the end of 2023, they could have the trophy to make it beyond dispute.

After a difficult start to the campaign, Pep Guardiola once again worked his tactical genius to craft a side capable of the incredible. They are still streets ahead of their Premier League rivals but they might have narrowed to lanes this summer.

It looks set to be a fantastic forthcoming season for the neutral but for City, it might be more challenging than ever to reclaim their crown. Everyone has improved.

Arsenal, the closest challengers, beat the Blues to Declan Rice and have also signed Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. Manchester United have finally entered the modern age with a goalkeeper upgrade as well as solving other problem positions. Newcastle have added an excellent midfielder. Chelsea have shipped out enough deadwood to construct a frontier town in South Dakota and Liverpool have significantly upgraded their midfield.

Man City player ratings in Atletico defeat

But City, well, City have gone backwards. Probably only slightly. The squad should be great enough to cope with the departures but it's undisputable that, at the moment, they have a weaker squad than the one which clinched the treble in early June.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan left for Barcelona after being one of the most important figures in the run-in. Mateo Kovacic is of a similar mould and has replenished the numbers in midfield but it's not yet clear if he can match the German's level.

Riyad Mahrez has also left but as of yet, no one has come in for him. £30million for a 32-year-old is a great deal but City have lost an understated crucial player. One who always contributed a high number of goals and