De Bruyne role, Guardiola future & Arsenal threat - Five burning Manchester City questions ahead of new season

The 2024/25 Premier League season is nearly upon us and, unsurprisingly, it’s Manchester City who are the overwhelming favourites to claim the title once again.

The Blues have won four in a row - something which had previously never been achieved before in the history of English football - and stand at the precipice of yet more history. But, this could be the most challenging season of all since Liverpool were the last team to pip City to top spot in 2020.

A changing squad, growing threats from rivals, an even busier calendar and some momentous off-field storylines could deny City from finishing first. If City are to break more history, there are several key hurdles they’ll have to overcome during the next nine months and they approach the season with a few notable uncertainties…

Kevin De Bruyne role and midfield plans

In City’s six title wins under Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne has been the driving on-field force behind the team’s relentless levels. He’s been the most reliable performer in that period and, bar a few significant injuries, has been a mainstay in the team.

But he’ll be 34 by the end of this season and his impact is starting to wane. Even if his numbers stacked up very nicely in the second half of the ‘23/24 campaign, he was often struggling to dictate the flow of games and Guardiola’s decision to replace him after an hour in the FA Cup final was telling.

There are even questions over whether he’s the first-choice attacking midfielder these days given the impressive displays of Phil Foden last term, while Guardiola also chose to hang onto James McAtee this summer, with hopes the young midfielder can play a significant role this season.

With De Bruyne’s contract set to expire in June 2025, this in many ways feels like the beginning of the end for one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Likewise, can Bernardo Silva and Ederson continue to perform as they push closer towards their mid-30s? While Kyle Walker also showed signs of slowing down last last season, with an eager Rico Lewis waiting in the wings.

Transfer additions

Whether City will add depth in two key positions could also determine their success this season. Guardiola’s squad is light in terms of options at the base of midfield and up front, with Rodri and Erling Haaland lacking any sort of cover if they were to pick up an injury.

Guardiola last week claimed City could look to make additions in the market, but it was far from a definitive statement of intent from the Catalan, while he also warned that the club won’t pay over the odds for new players.

But having additional numbers this season could be key with an expanded Champions League and Club World Cup to come, especially with so many players involved in international tournaments this summer.

Youth-team opportunities

One obvious solution to boost City’s relative lack of resources is to promote from within. The champions have the best youth academy in the country with players such as McAtee and Nico O’Reilly ready to make the jump to first-team football.

Yet, holding down a regular place in Guardiola’s side is no easy task and Foden is the only youth graduate who has ever really managed to achieve that monumental feat. Whether City’s youngsters will be trusted to play a significant role is another fascinating dynamic ahead of the new season.

Rivals’ threat

The prospect of City surrendering their crown, inevitably means someone else must come to claim it. There are several potential candidates, but Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle United look some way off still.

Tottenham Hotspur took positive steps under Ange Postecoglou last year and have strengthened in the summer - could they challenge City’s hegemony? Likewise, what sort of threat Liverpool will pose under new manager Arne Slot is unclear.

It’s likely both may need another 12 months before they’re ready to seriously compete at the league summit, but there’s no denying Arsenal are credible contenders. They’ve pushed City in each of the last two seasons - including to the final day last term - and have added further reinforcements in the window.

While Arsenal’s squad has improved over the summer, City’s looks weaker at this stage. The Gunner have been steadily building for several years under Mikel Arteta, but whether they can bridge that gap to the serial champions is another matter.

Off-field distractions

The biggest, and perhaps most obvious, issues facing the club this season come away from the pitch. The outcome of City’s 115 Premier League charges case, which will reportedly begin next month, is the key matter and it remains a possibility that this time next year the Blues will be preparing for a campaign in the EFL.

That does seem unlikely but the shadow of those hearings, lawyers and Premier League bureaucracy will undoubtedly be hanging over City this term, and Guardiola will need to ensure the uncertainty doesn’t trickle into the team’s on-field performances.

Of course, the manager himself will have a big say on one particular source of apprehension among fans. Whether Guardiola pens a new deal or sails off into the sky-blue sunset is another off-field distraction that the players could do without.

Those two major issues are likely to cause as much intrigue and drama as the action on the pitch and could shape the course of this season and the club’s long-term future.