Intro
No team has been able to defend the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 2008/09.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have a better chance to achieve this than any past winners from this decade.
‘Pep’s Centurions’ broke several records in their title-winning season. Can they go one further and defend it? The evidence so far suggests they probably could. Here’s why:
SHUTDOWN AT THE BACK
City’s frontline is arguably the most fearsome attack in England. They have scored 36 goals this season already, at a rate of three goals per match.
And yet, a case can be made their defence has outperformed their attack this season. This argument has tangible roots, but is further strengthened by the fact City have conceded just five goals in 12 games.
Last season, the backline was City’s major concern. But Pep clearly did his homework before stepping into the 2018/19 season.
Playing a high line begs for trouble on the counter and this was how most of the chances were conceded last season.
City are now reaping rewards of their swoop of Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte in January. The Basque has adapted to Guardiola’s style very well and has started off his first full season at the club on a commanding note.
