Carragher insists Man City are ‘weaker’ than last season as he makes PL title prediction
Jamie Carragher thinks Manchester City are “slightly weaker than they were at this stage last year” but still expects them to win the Premier League title.
The Citizens brushed aside ten-man Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor in the first game of the new Premier League season on Friday night to take an early lead at the top of the table.
Man City are going for their fourth title on the bounce this season after winning a historic Treble last term under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.
The Premier League champions have lost Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan over the summer but they’ve brought in Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, while they are reportedly trying to sign West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.
Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half for Man City against Burnley before Rodri slammed in another midway through the second.
Despite their victory over Burnley, former Liverpool defender Carragher isn’t convinced Man City are quite as strong as last season.
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“I think that right now Manchester City are slightly weaker than they were at this stage last year,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“The window hasn’t shut and I’m sure there’s more business to be done. It looks like they’re trying to get Lucas Paqueta from West Ham and I’m sure that deal will go through at some stage.
“Yes they’ve bought Kovacic in but the goals Gundogan and Mahrez used to bring in, they’ve not filled that gap yet.
“The defender they’ve signed [Gvardiol] looks the real deal. For his age, he looks already like a top centre-back. Best in class.
“But even if the squad stayed the same and they didn’t add anything I’d still say Man City are favourites for the title.”
An injury to Kevin de Bruyne slightly soured the night with Guardiola confirming the Belgium international will now miss “a few weeks”.
“Hamstring again. Same position. It depends on the magnitude of the injury, but will be a few weeks out.”
Asked if the Belgium midfielder had returned too soon to start against Burnley, Guardiola said: “Maybe. Maybe it was my mistake, but when he is injured after 15-20 minutes it is not something wrong, when it is 65 it is the fatigue of the muscle.
“We have to talk with the doctors and him. He was one year a long time injured, he came back from that position.
“He is down. He fought a lot. The final of the Champions League. He felt really good. I prefer to start and make 50-55 minutes. He is disappointed, but he is strong and will be back.”
