Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has tipped Pep Guardiola’s side to win next season’s, Premier League.
The Citizens won their fourth Premier League title in 5 years and also their second consecutive Premier League title after coming back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2. Manchester City has now overtaken Chelsea with the number of Premier League titles with 7 and Chelsea with 6.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have monopolized the Premier League with their teams Manchester City and Liverpool dominating the Premier League for the past five years with Manchester United coming close.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have already started strengthening their squad for next season. The Citizens confirmed the signing of Erling Haaland from Dortmund after triggering his € 75 million release clause. Liverpool also confirmed the purchase of Fabio Carvalho from Fulham and also fought with Real Madrid for the signature of French international and Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham are expected to mount a serious title challenge but Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City are on course to win their third consecutive Premier Title.
What was said?
Speaking on his Youtube channel Vibe with Five show he said: “It depends on Man United’s recruitment. Jokes! No, no, no.
“Listen, I said at the beginning of this season that Chelsea would win it after winning the Champions League and what Tuchel had done but they went backward.
“I’m going to go to the City. I think they’ll get the three in a row they’re looking for. I think that will happen.
“But I think what Klopp’s done has been nothing short of remarkable, to come in and change that club around. Where they were is almost like where Man United is at now.
“So if Ten Hag can come in and do like what he [Klopp] did, we’ll be looking at him as a Messiah. So I think it’s only right we do that with Klopp.”
Rio Ferdinand also believes Erling Haaland will need time to adapt to Manchester City’s style of play.
He added: “I think there’s a tactical element to this that I can’t wait to see unfold. How does Haaland fit into this team?
“Because normally their number nine that they’ve had in the last season or two, he drops in. When Ilkay Gundogan played up there he dropped into midfield, created an overload in midfield where they dominate teams all the time, and bamboozle you with that extra player.
“Haaland isn’t coming to feet like that, Haaland wants the ball in and around the box or behind the other team so he can run onto it. I want to see how Pep does with that.’
Ferdinand has also urged Manchester United to sign Norwich right-back Max Aarons.
He said: “Someone like Max Aarons you could put him like a Chris Smalling-type signing where they come in and they have an impact.
“They may not be straight starters immediately but they go and they stay there for 10 years and have a really good career and they impact the club at different levels.’
Ferdinand added:‘I think the way Ten Hag’s playing, looking at it, it’s like, “We’re going to be the team that’s the aggressor, we’re going to be the team that dictates and dominates the games”. So he’s looking to play on the halfway line.
“He isn’t looking to play in a deep block, so he’s not thinking about [Timber’s height]. One thing he’ll have to think about is the physical element in the Premier League is very different from what he’s seen in Holland.
“So defending crosses, you could be 5ft10, we saw Patrice Evra he was 5ft3 probably but he was one of the best headers of the ball when we were doing defensive set-pieces – and he was a threat in the opposing box as well. So it can be done but whether he’s that guy, time will tell.“
