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🎧 Can Manchester City get back to the top?published at 12:02 BST 13 August
12:02 BST 13 August
Kelly Cates hosts a special Manchester City-focused Football Daily with a host of guests to analyse Pep Guardiola's side.
Steph Houghton, Guillem Balague and Sam Lee join Kelly to discuss Guardiola's hunger and some changes at board level that could affect his performance as head coach.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire also joins the pod after news that the verdict on City's alleged financial breaches could be delayed until October.
The panel also discuss City's summer business, the departure of Jack Grealish and rumours around Rodri's future.
Do eventual champions start quickly?published at 07:35 BST 13 August
07:35 BST 13 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Only 36% of teams who are top at the end of September win the title - including Liverpool last season.
So how much does a good start indicate who will win the league?
The record amount of points after 10 games is 28 (nine wins and a draw). All those four teams - Manchester City (2011-12 and 2017-18), Chelsea (2005-06) and Liverpool (2019-20) went on to win the title.
But the two teams who had the next best starts, with 27 points - Newcastle (1995-96) and Arsenal (2022-23) - failed to convert it into silverware after infamous collapses.
Newcastle were top after 10 games in three consecutive seasons and did not win the title in any of them.
There are plenty of examples of teams picking up 26 points in their opening 10 games and not going on to win the title.
That includes Tottenham, who had a stunning start to life under Ange Postecoglou in 2023-24 before eventually finishing fifth.
However, seven teams have not even been on 20 points after 10 games and still won the title.
Manchester City came back to win the title by a clear 12 points in 2020-21. They were sixth, sitting on 18 points and three points off top, after 10 games.
That was the first of City's four titles in a row - and they were not top after 10 games in any of them.
Gossip: Man City hold Donnarumma talkspublished at 06:56 BST 13 August
06:56 BST 13 August
Manchester City have held talks with Paris St-Germain over a deal for 26-year-old Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with personal terms not expected to be an issue. (RMC Sport - in French), external
Meanwhile, Galatasaray have made an approach for City keeper Ederson, which would clear the way for Donnarumma to move to Etihad Stadium. (Fabrizio Romano), external
'With a rebuild must come stability'published at 12:50 BST 12 August
12:50 BST 12 August
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
New faces, and a feeling of a fresh start.
The brand new season was bound to bring about plenty of change off the back of the last campaign's difficulties, and having invested in four new faces in January, sporting director Hugo Viana has built upon that start with further investment.
Perhaps some Manchester City fans may be slightly concerned about the lack of wholesale exits from the squad, particularly concerning the older guard including the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and more.
But with a rebuild must come stability, and the process of transitioning from one era of players to another, transferring knowhow and experience to this fresh wave of energetic and ambitious names is of utmost importance at this relatively delicate phase of Manchester City's rebuild.
Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have created the most conversation among supporters. Their energy, fresh vision and creativity in the centre of the park looks set to bring about plenty of notable moments this season should they continue from where they have started during the Club World Cup and pre-season. There is also promise in Rayan Ait-Nouri and his range of abilities down the left hand side, particularly in an attacking sense.
The simple fact of changes in terms of personnel, coupled with the fresh outlook stemming from coaching staff changes working alongside Pep Guardiola, is enough for City fans to be excited and hopeful for a campaign that should bring back a competitive edge when it comes to the biggest honours.
But with the hopeful outlook on the new campaign should also come some caution; just how quickly will Manchester City's new stars be able to take to the vision installed by Pep Guardiola over the last decade?
Only time will tell on that front, and winning some of the early games will help to build a feeling of optimism ahead of competitions and fixtures coming thick and fast later on down the line. Furthermore, how well Manchester City's traditional competitors have strengthened their own squads this summer will have a bearing on how Guardiola and his staff can contest the Premier League and Champions League in particular.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is keen to stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the summer transfer window despite interest from Galatasaray. (Football Insider), external
'I'm not sure he's got that fire any more' - Hamann on Guardiolapublished at 15:28 BST 11 August
15:28 BST 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Pep Guardiola: "He's been there 10 years now, and it's a long time. We've seen with managers in the Premier League these days, usually they don't last longer than three or four years. When a season starts, you've got to light a fire in a team with the fans and make people believe. And I'm not sure he's got that fire any more.
"Obviously you can never write him off because they've got a fantastic team - Rodri is back after a long injury, but I'm not sure they're going to win another big title under Guardiola.
'City could have an outstanding season - but only if Pep plays his cards right'published at 11:57 BST 11 August
11:57 BST 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Manchester City are ready for the new season after Pep Guardiola's side defeated Palermo 3-0 in their only pre-season friendly in Sicily on Saturday.
Here are some of your comments:
Jack: Feel like City are still one or two players short. But I'm very positive as I think the signings we have made have been in the right areas. Reijnders was a no-brainer, as was Cherki as they both look very impressive. Same with Ait-Nouri and Trafford is long term number one and pushes Ederson. But, I feel like we could have done with a right-back. I feel like that was the position to spend and improve on Rico and Nunes.
Andrew: City are so ready. Existing squad determined to get back on track and 2025 joiners eager to make their reputations, plus a couple from the academy will grab their chance.
Cameron: I think City could have an outstanding season but only if Pep plays his cards right. First, he needs to find the right goalkeeper to start, then he needs to find a good rhythm in either passing or counter-attacking. Either way I believe City will win some trophies this season.
Kevin: There is far too much blending of the new arrivals to do in order to recreate some semblance of previous seasons. There is a lot of clearing out to do and question marks over some of the old guard. The biggest challenges are to compensate for losing the tactical/visionary genius of KDB and to see if Rodri is able to return to his ringmaster role.
David: Some of the new signings looked good at the Club World Cup and in yesterday's friendly against Palermo, Reijinders looks more than ready. Overall the team look built to go forward with more intent and with Bobb back and at his mercurial best, the future looks good. Expect more goals from midfield. We will not know for a month whether they are ready though. Not because of the Club World Cup but because Guardiola never trains his teams to start, he trains them to finish.
Steve: Hope I am proved wrong but I don't think we have strengthened the squad enough in key areas, and we still have too much 'deadwood'. Gundo, Stones, Grealish, Ake and Ederson all need to be moved on.
Who can challenge Liverpool?published at 08:02 BST 11 August
08:02 BST 11 August
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City will be a wounded beast after an undoubtedly disappointing season without winning a major trophy, capped off by a shock exit from the Club World Cup.
Boss Pep Guardiola has freshened up the squad with five new signings, including re-energising the midfield with the acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
Not since 2017 have City finished third in the Premier League, so there may be a little uncertainty around how they react and how quickly the new blood settles in.
Champions Liverpool and Arsenal are being talked about as the frontrunners for the title this season so it may suit City to fly under the radar, while all the focus is on the other two challengers.
Summer signings Cherki and Reijnders impress against Palermopublished at 08:07 BST 10 August
08:07 BST 10 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City concluded their pre-season preparations with a commanding victory over Palermo in their only summer friendly.
Rico Lewis set up Erling Haaland for the opening goal in the first half.
In the second half, summer signing Tijjani Reijnders impressed with two slick finishes to establish his credentials before City open the season at Wolves on Saturday.
'I've spent years on the M6 wondering if I was slightly insane' - fan storiespublished at 15:45 BST 8 August
15:45 BST 8 August
You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Manchester City.
Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:
Steve: As a young boy in East Sussex, I was mesmerised by Peter Barnes running down the wing. I used to pretend I was him whenever I had a ball at my feet so needless to say I became a Manchester City fan.
Here I am nearly 50 years later, a Sussex-based season ticket holder with a 550-mile round trip every home game. I have spent years on the M6 wondering if I was slightly insane?
But the friends I have made, the memories shared and the past few trophyladen years make it all worthwhile!
Image caption,
Ian: On Saturday, 5 September 1959, at age 12, went to my first Manchester City game on my own. Took the number 45 bus from Benchill, got into Maine Road at the scoreboard end and pressed up to the concrete wall right at the front. When I got home, Dad asked how they had got on. We lost 6-4 but he did not believe me and had to check the football Pink. It was typical City of old, 2-0 up after 10 minutes but still lost even with Bert Trautmann in goal.
Mark: I was at Maine Road waiting in my work van for new signing Trevor Francis to arrive.
Suddenly there was a rush of photographers running to the front entrance. In all the excitement, I started my van to get a bit closer, my foot slipped off the clutch pedal and I hit a concrete bollard!
But…I did get to see our new superstar!
Image caption,
Ian: When I was eight in 1964, Subbuteo was all down our street. I asked my mum if I could have a set for my birthday. I didn't select a team but she brought me Manchester City, I asked why and she said she liked the colours. I have been a fan ever since, passed the love onto my daughters and then to my grandsons. It's been a real rollercoaster ride but I have loved it.
Gossip: City turn down Echeverri offer published at 08:13 BST 8 August
08:13 BST 8 August
Manchester City have turned down an offer from Roma for Argentine midfielder Claudio Echeverri, 19, as they want to loan him to Girona, who are under the City Football Group umbrella. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
'I had no choice really' - fan storiespublished at 16:33 BST 7 August
16:33 BST 7 August
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Manchester City.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
John: My grandad cycled from his job in the gentlemen's outfitters department of Kendal Milne on Deansgate to the first game ever played at Maine Road in 1923. My dad started going there immediately after World War Two ended.
This is me, aged seven in 1971, doing my best Colin Bell impression with my dad now taking me with him on Saturday afternoons. I had no choice really.
Aged 12 for Dennis Tueart's overhead kick and 48 for the Agueroooo moment, there was much misery in between, but my word, my midlife has been far from a crisis under Pep Guardiola.
Mike: I moved to Bury in 1962 soon after Colin Bell signed for them. He moved into a 'club' house opposite where we lived and I watched him with my dad at Gigg Lane.
When he moved to City, my support went with him. Soon after my, second favourite player Franny Lee also signed for City. That was it. I was a Man City fan forever!
Image caption,
CF: I had been begging my parents for months to go to a Man City football game, and they always said it was too dangerous and there was too much swearing and alcohol.
But then KDB announced he was leaving and I told them I had to go see him. They relented, two days before the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
That night I booked tickets, and I didn't sleep. Walking into Wembley and being hit by the sound of 70,000+ fans, the seething mass of red and blue and how Wembley Way was full... I'll never forget that.
Carl: As a football mad three-year-old living in Norwich, I only ever wanted a Norwich football strip. My mum and dad didn't have much money and when my birthday came, I was given a Man City away strip, the red and black stripes, as it was half price.
I didn't know about Man City until that day but ever since, I have followed them for 57 years and can remember watching Mike Summerbee, Lee, and Bell. City were strong, then after came the lows but I still loved City every game.
Now I still can't believe I support the greatest club ever and always will.
'It becomes really hard to separate yourself from it'published at 11:44 BST 7 August
11:44 BST 7 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs
When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.
In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.
And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.
"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.
"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.
"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.
"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.
"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."
A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.
But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.
"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.
"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."
As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?
"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.
"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.
"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."
Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.
