Manchester City
Manchester City is the current champion of the English Premier League after the club won the 2017/18 title with ease following a dominant season.
City, who were bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, has now won the top flight in England five times in total, with three victories coming in the last seven seasons under Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
Prior to this the club’s most successful period came between 1967 and 1970 under the management of Joe Mercer, who guided City to a league title, two domestic cups, and a triumph in the now defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup.
In the 1980s and 1990s Manchester City primarily drifted between the first and second divisions, dropping as low as the third tier of English football in 1998.
But City has now established itself as a Premier League powerhouse and regularly reaches the knockout stages of Europe’s biggest club competition, the Champions League.
Guardiola’s team is renowned for quick, incisive passing, dominating possession, high pressing of the opponent and fluid movement in the attacking third. The City manager is a coach who tries unorthodox tactics, such as moving a full-back into midfield during attacks or playing a midfielder in defence.
Manchester City average 66 percent possession in its games this season and look to keep the ball away from the opposition as a defensive tactic as well as an offensive one.
The team builds attacks from the goalkeeper and the defence, from there the ball is given to one of a number of attacking talents in midfield and up front. However, City is not afraid to hit a pass long should the situation require.
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the best players in the 2017/18 Premier League, and along with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool has been some way ahead of the rest of the pack. The Belgian leads the assist charts and averages an impressive 3.1 key passes per game.
But several of his team-mates are enjoying outstanding seasons, with the guile of David Silva just as important as De Bruyne’s all-action midfield play. Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are two of the best strikers in Europe, while Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane provide blistering pace, trickery and a goal threat from the flanks.
There are few weaknesses at the back, too. Goalkeeper Ederson, so good is his footballing ability, could play outfield if asked while Kyle Walker will motor up and down the right flank from his starting position at full-back. He offers another attacking outlet in a team of stars, one which is the most complete in Europe.