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Manchester City were once untouchable. Three Premier League titles in a row. A treble. A squad assembled with surgical precision and managed with tactical genius. But last season told a very different story — and now, as the new campaign kicks off, the pressure on Pep Guardiola and his players has never been higher.
A Season City Would Rather Forget
The 2025/26 campaign was brutal for City. Injuries hit the squad hard, results faltered in ways nobody predicted, and rivals took full advantage. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea all had their moments — and City watched from a distance as the title they once considered theirs by right slipped away. For a club of their stature, finishing outside the top two felt like a genuine crisis.
Haaland Still Delivering — But Needed Help
Through all the chaos, Erling Haaland kept doing what Erling Haaland does: scoring goals. The Norwegian machine finished the season with 27 Premier League strikes despite being surrounded by inconsistency. His numbers remain elite. His movement, his finishing, his sheer physicality — none of that has diminished. But even the best striker in the world cannot compensate for a team misfiring all around him.
This summer, City moved quickly to address the problems. Reinforcements arrived, key players returned to full fitness, and Guardiola — who signed a contract extension — has spoken with renewed conviction about what this squad can achieve. The message from the Etihad is clear: they are coming back.
The Title Race Just Got Interesting Again
Liverpool under Arne Slot look sharp. Arsenal have depth. Chelsea have spent heavily. But City with a fit squad, a hungry Haaland, and something to prove? That is a different proposition entirely. History suggests you write off Manchester City at your peril. Guardiola has rebuilt before — and he tends to come back stronger.
The 2026/27 Premier League season has barely begun, but already one narrative stands above the rest: can the old guard reclaim the throne? If Haaland stays fit and the squad fires in unison, the answer could very well be yes.
SoloScore | August 2026
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