PEP GUARDIOLA always loves a challenge and not many have got the better of him over the years.
But, you know what? A fourth Premier League title on the trot with Manchester City this season might just be his biggest of all.
That may seem a strange thing to say for a side that won the Treble and obviously City will be the ones to beat again.
But when you’ve got everything in life, sometimes it’s a case of, ‘What more can we do?’
And Pep has a hell of a job on his hands to keep them as hungry and bang at it again. Let’s be honest, as brilliant as City were last time, the title was in Arsenal’s hands and they let it slip.
Mikel Arteta has signed very well in the summer — as have others, which I’ll come to in a minute — while Pep has lost one or two.
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Ilkay Gundogan’s gone to Barcelona, Riyad Mahrez is in Saudi and there are still doubts about Kyle Walker, who is a fantastic right-back.
City were on the ropes last season and came out fighting when it mattered.
Well there’s no doubt they are in a genuine fight again… and I can see this one going the distance.
Arsenal will no doubt still be kicking themselves at not seeing it through from such a strong position. The bookies actually made them favourites at one stage.
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So they’ll be determined to go one step better and Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and especially Declan Rice are fantastic buys who will make them even stronger.
But while it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise to see Arsenal as champions, I’m actually tipping the Premier League to stay in Manchester. Just not with the team everyone thinks.
Erik ten Hag did a great job in his first season at United and he’s another who has had a decent summer in the market.
I’ve always liked Mason Mount and he is a great addition to the midfield while Andre Onana is one of the best keepers in the world.
Rasmus Hojlund might not have been their first choice for a new striker at the start of the summer but he looks a great prospect.
I think United are fantastic value and in my book they will be a real threat to everyone this season.
As good a season Marcus Rashford had last time, United have been after a goalscoring centre-forward for ages. This lad could be the answer.
I must admit, I’d fancy them even more if they’d have gone out and spent £100million on Harry Kane.
That would have been very hard for Daniel Levy to turn down.
But, even so, I think United are fantastic value and in my book they will be a real threat to everyone this season.
Eddie Howe has been very sensible in how he’s building something special at Newcastle and has made a couple of very shrewd signings in Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes.
They will be stronger and could be even closer this season… which means that Chelsea and Liverpool have a real fight on their hands just to make the top four once again.
To be honest, I think that’s the best Mauricio Pochettino can hope for because there is so much work to be done.
He’s lost quite a few, they still want a genuine goalscorer and does anyone really know what their best side is yet?
Liverpool did a great bit of business in getting Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai comes with a big reputation from Leipzig.
But the Reds have lost a couple of key players from the dressing room in Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
Let’s be honest, as brilliant as City were last time, the title was in Arsenal’s hands and they let it slip.
Both of them were a real driving force behind the scenes and you can’t put a price on that, whatever their age. Those are huge boots to fill, however good the replacements may be.
It goes without saying that Kane is key to everything for Tottenham, and if he stays, I fancy them to win a cup. The ball is in Harry’s court and I just don’t think he’ll go.
Yes, he could win the German title at Bayern Munich, but if he doesn’t want to leave, it wouldn’t matter if they offered £300m!
There will be a queue a mile long in 12 months and I can see him negotiating a huge signing-on fee and then going on to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record.
You never know, he could end up with a title medal as well.
But as far as this season goes, it’s United to edge it for me, with City and Arsenal filling the places.
BIG JOB FOR ROB
ROB EDWARDS pulled off a minor miracle in getting Luton to the Premier League — keeping them there would be even greater.
When Nathan Jones left halfway through last season, I did think it could fall apart. But Rob came in, they kept beating the odds and look where they ended up.
I love seeing British bosses do well, so what Rob did was fantastic — the same goes for Paul Heckingbottom at Sheffield United.
But I think the pair of them have a huge job to survive. And selling their best player — as United did with Iliman Ndiaye last week — makes it no easier.
I think Burnley, who went up as champions, will survive so I’ll go for Wolves — just ahead of Everton — as the others to go down.
Losing Ruben Neves is huge for Wolves, Joao Moutinho’s gone as well and they have a heck of a fight on their hands.
Sadly for Molineux fans, I can’t see them winning it, either.
VIC GETS MY VOTE
I’LL be having my usual each way yankee on all four divisions but if only one comes up, I really hope it’s Notts County… for Vicky McClure’s grandad, Ralph.
I got to know Vicky well when we did Soccer Aid together — she’s a lovely girl — and we’ve stayed in touch since then.
She did a programme called Vicky McClure: My Grandad’s War which told the story of Ralph, a Royal Navy signaller on D-Day.
If you haven’t seen it yet, get it on catch-up. I guarantee there won’t be a dry eye in the house at the end.
Ralph is a huge County fan and she texted me this week to say how much he’s looking forward to this season.
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I’d love to see them win League Two for him.
So, here’s my tips for all four divisions: Manchester United for the Prem title, Ipswich in the Championship, Derby to win League One and Notts County for League Two.
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