The start of the Premier League is just around the corner for Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s men will be hungry to win back the title after Liverpool ended their run of four in a row last season, but the Manchester club have a tough task on their hands in stopping Arne Slot’s team.
The defending champions have added some impressive stars to their ranks during the summer, having beaten Man City to Florian Wirtz, among several other top names.
However, Man City’s best addition may turn out to be Pepijn Lijnders, with former goalkeeper Joe Hart expecting something different from Guardiola throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Joe Hart on punditry duty.
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Joe Hart expects Man City to change the way they play
One of Man City’s biggest issues last season was their style of play, as Guardiola’s men often played at a tempo that was too slow; therefore, they struggled to break down teams in a low block.
The addition of Lijnders to the legendary coach’s coaching staff will see intensity brought to City, and as a result, Hart has admitted that he expects the Manchester club to have a new style throughout the upcoming campaign.
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“City’s transfers look like good business to me – competitive business with the intention to do some damage this season, not just to build for a bright future,” the pundit told BBC.
“I think Guardiola has somewhat changed how he wants to play again, so the football could be spinning again.
“This will be a different City, so less predictable and harder for people to set up against, if they get it right.”
Guardiola has already praised the work of Lijnders so far at the Manchester club, and it will be very interesting to see how the Premier League giants set up when they take on Wolves this Saturday.
Pep Guardiola giving out instructions during Manchester City training session.
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Danny Murphy expects Man City duo to step up
Many of Man City’s players underperformed during the 24/25 campaign, and two who will certainly have been disappointed with how last term went are Erling Haaland and Rodri, with the latter missing the majority of the season with an ACL injury.
Previewing the upcoming campaign for the Manchester club, Murphy expects the duo to step up this season, with the BBC pundit stating that the return of the Spaniard will be like a new signing for Guardiola.
“City still have the best striker in the world, and Rodri’s return is like a new signing – I know he is injured at the moment, but little setbacks are normal after a serious injury,” the former midfielder said.
“I sense an improvement – they are going to push Liverpool all the way, with the brilliance of Pep and the reinforcements they have brought in.”