Manchester City made another statement of intent as they dismantled Borussia Monchengladbach with consummate ease on Wednesday night.
The Etihad outfit began their Champions League campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Bundesliga side to continue their 100% start to the new season.
What will be more pleasing to supporters of the blue half of Manchester is the manner of how City have ruthlessly gone about their business under now boss Pep Guardiola.
Confidence is flowing through the squad and the Catalan has brought a new, relentless and dynamic brand of football to the club. So, although it’s early days, here are five reasons why City could claim all four trophies this season.
GUARDIOLA'S GUILE
After taking over a team seemingly bereft of confidence following the unceremonious departure of former manager Manuel Pellegrini, Guardiola has breathed life into the Manchester City machine.
The way that the Spaniard deploys his tactics is almost like watching a game of snooker or chess; he’s three or four steps ahead. He’s a genius.
What’s more impressive, however, is the speed in which the City players have bought into his philosophy and made a seamless transition. The high-tempo, pressing game is a trademark that brought Guardiola glory at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and with the right blend of youth and experience at the Etihad, Pep could have the key ingredients for a recipe for success.
AWESOME AGUERO
In Sergio Aguero, City have the best striker in the Premier League. The Argentine ace was at his potent best against Monchengladbach and took is tally to nine goals in five games already this season.
However, the striker’s injury record is a major concern for City, with niggling muscle issues hampering the last few campaigns. If Aguero can stay fit he will be the man to fire the Blues to success and could even surpass the Premier League record 34 goals scored by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons respectively.
But new kid on the block Kelechi Iheanacho is showing signs that he is more than capable of filling the void should Aguero succumb to injury once more. The young Nigerian added to his derby winner in the dying stages against Monchengladbach as he bagged his 16th goal in all competitions for City.
Sergio Aguero, 28
£38m
Fernandinho, 31
£30m
John Stones, 22
£47m
FANTASTIC FERNANDINHO
There’s no two ways about it, Fernandinho is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League – unless you’re a City fan, of course. The Brazilian was arguably City’s best player last season but he’s found another gear under Guardiola.
The former Shakhtar man effectively shields the back four, giving Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and co. licence to roam forward. Add to that his creativity and wide range of passing skills, Fernandinho is proving to be the complete midfielder and could form a real partnership with Ilkay Gundogan in the engine room.
SUPER STONES
Several eyebrows were raised when the City hierarchy sanctioned a £50m move for John Stones this summer, but the England international looks worth every penny in the opening stages of the campaign.
The former Everton man has that continental-style of confidence in possession and is comfortable when under pressure. But his stand-out performance was the maturity in which he dealt with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the derby, with the Swede generally limited to half chances.
With the return of their leader and talismanic captain Vincent Kompany imminent, City will be even more formidable defensively and will have the foundations to fight on all fronts.
STRENGTH IN DEPTH
There’s quality in abundance everywhere you look at City; particularly in the forward areas. With Messrs De Bruyne and Silva the master puppeteers pulling strings in the middle of the park for Nolito, Aguero and the rejuvenated Raheem Sterling, Guardiola’s side pose a massive threat to any side in world football.
Add to that the craft of Gundogan and raw pace of Jesus Navas and Leroy Sane as well, who are yet to really feature this season, this is a campaign of great potential for City. And lest we forget that Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus is set to bolster the ranks in January.
The blue half of Manchester has a lot to be excited about.
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