Manchester City's rivals are hoping for more changes at the Etihad but there are two big reasons for the Blues to be confident
Manchester City strengthened in the January transfer window
Manchester City strengthened in the January transfer window(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
View Image
Pep Guardiola has only just left Manchester City and already some can see blood in the water. Former players and fans from other clubs are seeing it as the moment to overtake the Blues while a number of City stars have left talks over their future firmly open.
Rodri did little to ease the concerns of Blues that he will sign a new contract to replace his current one, running out in 2027, when he spoke this week about waiting until after the World Cup to discuss his future, and Josko Gvardiol was also ambiguous amid interest in him from some top European clubs. As City finalise with Chelsea to allow Enzo Maresca to be their manager, all eyes are on whether the City house will still be as strong without Guardiola.
Not even those inside City are expecting it can be simply because they recognise how great Guardiola was until the moment he walked out the door. As the longest-serving manager in the Premier League when he left, he transcended City at times with his views - sporting or otherwise - beaming around the globe and countless players were intrigued by him whether they played for City or not.
Maresca will not have the same pull, yet that is not the same that City will not. As Guardiola has said all along, he has only stayed because he has won and the club have given him the best conditions possible to make that happen.
While City could not and can't be certain of life in the post-Guardiola era, they were particularly delighted in January to snap up both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi on long-term deals. It cost them £84m but that was seen as good value for two proven players that could improve the starting XI.
More than anything, Blues bosses were happy because the two players were not left under any illusions that the majority of their time at City would be with Guardiola. They chose to come because of what else is on offer, and then played their part in two domestic titles and a Premier League race that went to the final week.
Arsenal may be top dogs this year but if you want to consistently challenge for titles and play in the Champions League, there remains no better destination than City. That was the message to the players in January, and they have already been rewarded in silver as well as gold.
Semenyo and Guehi can be the insurance policy for any target or current squad player wondering what life will be like at City next season. There were question marks over both decisions at the time and yet they have already worked out for everyone.
It won't stop rivals hoping that City become less attractive in the transfer market or on the pitch, but the Blues have £84m reasons to be confident for the summer and the season.