Manchester City just completed one of the most successful campaigns in English football history, ending the 2022/23 season with the Treble. It saw them lift the Premier League for the third successive year, bag the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over cross-town rivals Manchester United and win the Champions League for the first time by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final.
The treble success—a rare achievement was fuelled by elite play, squad and coaching, and last but not least, strong financial backing. And Manchester City are expected to become stronger and an even bigger force thanks to their sizeable budget allocation for this summer’s transfer window.
City boss Pep Guardiola is a demanding man and he will not be resting on his laurels despite the club’s rich success this past season. The Spaniard has already started making moves in the summer transfer window as he looks to bolster his squad further to combat next season’s challenges.
However, the current City squad is exceptional, filled with talented youngsters and star names. Having just enjoyed a remarkable year, here are three players from the current squad to look forward to in the 2023-24 season.
- Kalvin Phillips
Signed from Leeds United last summer amidst a lot of fanfare, Kalvin Phillips’s first season at Man City has to be described as a disaster. He underwent a shoulder surgery that led to his limited game time on the pitch.
When fit, the England international failed to break into City’s starting XI and started only two Premier League games. For a highly coveted player, Phillips should have been able to adapt to the demands from Guardiola by now. After a season hindered by injury, fitness concerns and loss of form, expectations from Phillips will be high from the fans, coaching staff, pundits and the media.
So, the 27-year-old midfielder is definitely someone to look forward to in the 2023-24 season.
- Rico Lewis
Rico Lewis was a breakout star in Man City’s remarkable treble-winning year, with the talented, versatile full-back making 23 appearances over the course of the 2022-23 campaign. The Englishman, who is still only a raw teenager, was trusted by Guardiola and he rewarded that faith with a series of exciting performances.
Lewis smoothly operated as the defender-midfielder hybrid in Guardiola’s new system after the World Cup, and the way he essayed the role for an 18-year-old is simply stunning. It is certain the full-back has a very bright future ahead of him. Lewis is one to watch in 2023.
- Erling Haaland
A debut season to remember in City colours for Erling Haaland. He is just 22 and has already made history, with the Norwegian goal-machine becoming the first person to win the Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season award in the same campaign.
Haaland is quite the phenomenon whose 52 goals in 53 appearances in all formats is an extraordinary achievement—one that rightly puts him in the Ballon d’Or conversation. There is no questioning that Haaland will be a player to watch out again, as he looks determined to break last season’s goal record.