Manchester City 2021/22 season kick-off: where to watch the action, key players and transfer latest

Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League crown this weekend, when they take on Tottenham Hotspur.

The two clubs’ fortunes have been somewhat intertwined this summer given City’s continued interest in Harry Kane.

Regardless, Pep Guardiola’s squad still looks the best equipped to claim top spot once again in 2021/22, which would represent a fourth title in five years for the former Barcelona coach.

Who do Manchester City play first and where can you watch it?

The Blues begin the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground where City have actually lost in all three previous visits.

The match takes place on Sunday, 15 August and kicks off at 4.30pm. The clash can be watched live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

What sort of pre-season form did City show?

The Premier League champions didn’t get their pre-season fixtures under way until 27 July, when they registered a 2-0 victory over Preston North End. Riyad Mahez netted in the victory, much as he did four days later as Guardiola’s men beat Barnsley 4-0.

City then defeated Blackpool 4-1 on 4 August, before losing 1-0 to Leicester City in last Saturday’s Community Shield final.

With so many players away on international duty this summer, the pre-season squads have been packed with youngsters. In fact, Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have not played a single minute in the friendly games, although several of those are missing through injury and Covid-19 restrictions.

Who have Manchester City signed this season?

The backpages have been dominated by Jack Grealish this summer, not just for his on-field contributions at Euro 2020, but due to City’s high-profile pursuit of the midfielder.

Last week, Grealish was unveiled as the Blues’ latest signing, with the slick-haired Brummy becoming the Premier League’s first £100m transfer.

Despite only training for a few days, City’s new no.10 made his debut against Leicester last week and will likely be involved against Spurs on Sunday.

Which other City players could be key in 2020-21?

Kevin De Bruyne is set to miss Sunday’s opener but, as always, will be crucial to City’s chances of success this season. He registered 10 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last term, and supporters are purring at the thought of the Belgian combining with Grealish.

Elsewhere, last season’s Player of the Season, Ruben Dias, will be key at the back once again. His partnership with John Stones was the bedrock of City’s impressive defensive record in 2020/21.

Ederson picked up the Golden Glove award last campaign and will be aiming to make it three in a row this season, something only two goalkeepers (Pepe Reina and Joe Hart) have previously achieved.

How’s the squad shaping up?

With so many first-team players out, Guardiola’s rich squad looks a tad threadbare heading into the weekend.

Foden and De Bruyne are definitely out through injury, so too is Laporte, who is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Joao Cancelo, Dias, Nathan Ake, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho and Mahrez started in each of the four pre-season games, with Ilkay Gundogan featuring in the last two. Therefore, all seven players will most likely begin the Premier League campaign in the capital.

Youngsters Cole Palmer, Samuel Edozie and Ben Knight have featured prominently in the warm-up games and could be involved against Spurs.

However, the squad still only contains one senior recognised striker and is the only position City lack depth in at present.

Who might Manchester City sign next?

If the Blues are to make another addition this summer it will most probably be Harry Kane - in fact, City have been linked with precious few players in the off-season, excluding the Tottenham striker and Grealish.

The champions’ pursuit of Kane could run on for a few more weeks, with Guardiola recently confirming the club’s interest in the 28-year-old.

“He’s a player for Tottenham Hotspur,” said the City boss. “If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished. If they are open to negotiate, I think not just Man City but many clubs in the world want to try to sign him – we are not an exception – but it depends on Tottenham.”

Read more of our pre-season analysis here