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Can someone else please win the Premier League title this season? Not because I want to deny Manchester City their historic fourth consecutive title, which they and Guardiola undoubtedly deserve, but to bring back a sense of competitiveness. The Bundesliga may have better football overall than the Premier League, but City have to work hard for their titles unlike Bayern Munich. Bayern had a poor season, yet still managed to win their 11th consecutive title. The Bundesliga lacks competitiveness.
Similarly, Paris St-Germain has been dominating Ligue 1, winning nine out of the last 11 seasons, but they have faced internal division and accusations of underachievement. In contrast, Serie A has seen four different champions in four years and is experiencing a resurgence in European football. Although Serie A is not on the same level as the Premier League due to financial disadvantages, the competition has raised the standard and brought more drama.
One of the biggest selling points of the Premier League is that any team can beat any other on their day. While this rarely happens, it still feels fiercely competitive in the top half of the table. Even finishing in the top eight this season would be an achievement.
Although there is the “Big Six”, we cannot overlook the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who are well-organized and well-financed. The Premier League has now become a “Big Eight”, with the addition of Brighton and Brentford, who are also superbly run. Choosing the top four this season seems almost impossible. However, most pundits and journalists predict that City will come out on top once again.
If City does win, it would be their sixth title in seven years, a remarkable display of domination. However, domination is not healthy for the league. We have had title races in recent years, with Liverpool and Arsenal putting up a fight. Arsenal, in particular, prevented it from becoming a procession, but were ultimately outplayed. They are once again being tipped as City’s closest challengers, especially after heavy spending under Arteta. But is it fair for them to compete against City’s relentless juggernaut?
At this point, many readers might bring up the 115 charges against City for alleged financial rule breaches, which hang over them. Although they deny wrongdoing, there is a sense of skepticism until the case is resolved. Football is cyclical, and dominance eventually fades. Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United seemed unbeatable at one point with a similar level of dominance. However, that is not what we ultimately want. We want great teams and true competition, not just shuffling positions in the top four. We need different champions.
City’s run has been extraordinary, and it’s hard to see it ending until Guardiola leaves. Even then, they could go on under a well-chosen successor. City is well-organized and financially powerful. When Guardiola arrived, I mentioned that he would raise the bar in the Premier League, and it was up to other clubs to respond. The coaching level has indeed improved, especially since Guardiola and Klopp’s arrivals, but he still stands above them all. Other teams are copying his tactics, but he always stays ahead of the curve.
Guardiola and City may dismiss the idea of needing stronger challengers, pointing to how Liverpool and Arsenal have pushed them to the limit. And they have a point to some extent. However, they have consistently finished on top, except for one season. For the overall health of the league, we need to see a new name engraved on the trophy, a new champion. It would elevate the Premier League to greater heights. With all that said, I believe City will win, and if they do, it will be a well-deserved victory.
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