Friday 14 July 2017 12:25, UK
Manchester City are favourites going into the new Premier League season, insists club legend Paul Dickov.
City finished third in Pep Guardiola's first campaign in charge in 2016/17, but showed some devastating attacking play in stages, and lost just once in their last 17 league games.
Dickov says some of the football he saw Guardiola's side play last season was among the best he's seen in the Premier League in recent years, and says they are rightly placed as favourites for the title.
He told Sky Sports: "Personally I do think they're favourites. Some of the stuff Man City played last year was not just the best from a City team, but some of the best football I've seen in the Premier League for a long time. They can really tear teams apart.
"Especially towards the end of the season, getting Vincent Kompany back, they looked a lot more solid. They built up a bit of momentum towards the end in the home games in particular, scoring a lot of goals, defending well and playing some great football.
"The additions they've made so far and the additions they will make, I think it could be quite scary for a few teams next year.
"I think it's going to be difficult for everybody. Three or four years ago we talked about a top four being nailed on each year, last year it was a top six, and now with Everton spending it's almost a top seven."
Sergio Aguero has remained at City so far this summer despite speculation surrounding his future in the second half of last season following the arrival of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus.
Dickov, who played for City in two stints between 1996-2001 and 2006-2007, does not see a problem with having both Aguero and Jesus in the same side, and believes Guardiola will opt for the partnership regularly next season.
"If you look at when Jesus came back from injury, Pep played him and Aguero together more often than not. It shows you.
"I think people like to make this talking point - that it's Aguero or Jesus - but they can both play together. I think that's the way he sees it going as we go forward.
"Look at the attacking players City have, it's second to none. Aguero, Jesus, Sane, Sterling, De Bruyne, now with Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Yaya Toure.
"What Pep wants I think is to look at his bench with 20 minutes to go and get players on that could have an impact, and maybe last season they didn't have the depth in the squad to do that."
Dickov also insists the criticism Guardiola received last season for failing to adapt to the Premier League's style was harsh and unfounded.
"I think the criticism of Pep and his 'stubbornness' is very harsh, I think it's people looking for a story. I don't buy into the fact that the Premier League caught Pep Guardiola by surprise either, he's a very intelligent man and successful manager. It would have been difficult for him to come in last year, sell 25 players and buy 25 players.
"If you look at his signings - Stones, Jesus, Sane, Ederson, Bernardo Silva - they're all in their early 20s. It just shows the type of player he is after, buying for the future. And he also released a long list of players in their 30s."
