IT IS often said that the hardest part of winning the Premier League is retaining it the following year. The drive, hunger and motivation to go again is difficult to replicate. Not to mention you now have a massive target on your back as everyone raises their game for the champions.

But with that being said, Manchester City have little excuse for another poor title defence — if you can call it that.

Their summer transfer window was quiet by their standards. The team didn’t need an overhaul but one or two quality additions to keep the squad on its toes were needed.