Following a near-perfect 2022-23 campaign, can Man City raise their levels again? Can they maintain their domestic dominance and endeavour to win back-to-back Champions League titles? Can they even create further history by winning an unprecedented quadruple?
The ultimate goal for Pep Guardiola is to sustain the hunger within his talented group to ensure that they are ready to go again and strive for more success.
It remains to be seen how many of those star names will continue at the Etihad next season, though. Ilkay Gundogan – Guardiola's first signing as City manager in 2016 – is out of contract this summer and is yet to make a final decision on his future, with the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Saudi Arabian clubs all said to be interested in his services.
Aymeric Laporte may look to depart after falling down the pecking order this season, while Joao Cancelo has seemingly played his final game for City, who are expected to cash in on the full-back this summer and pursue a replacement.
Backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen has publicly admitted that he has "no plans" to return to the Etihad when his loan spell at Middlesbrough expires and he is likely to be sold, and Bernardo Silva is another facing an uncertain future at the club having previously expressed his desire to seek pastures new.
The potential departure of both Bernardo and Gundogan would be a significant blow to City, and replacing the midfield duo could prove challenging, especially with Jude Bellingham now on his way to Real Madrid and Arsenal allegedly leading the race for Declan Rice.
Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad, and it would be intriguing to see how the 29-year-old Croatian would fit into Guardiola's system.
While Erling Braut Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Manuel Akanji all impressed in their debut campaigns at the Etihad, Kalvin Phillips struggled for first-team football, starting just four of his 22 appearances in all competitions. Injuries played their part, but the England international will hope to have a greater impact in Guardiola's side next season, whether that be rivalling Rodri or playing alongside him in the middle of the pitch.
Man City also have decisions to make regarding a number of academy prospects who spent time on loan last season. James McAtee and Tommy Doyle both impressed with newly-promoted Sheffield United and may look to remain at Bramall Lane on a temporary basis to gain both Premier League experience and regular first-team football.
The likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Trafford, Callum Doyle, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Morgan Rodgers and Liam Delap were also on loan at clubs across the EFL and may be sent out on temporary deals again to gain another year of first-team experience.
Carlos Borges and Shea Charles, meanwhile, both excelled for City's academy side last season and are likely to be assessed by Guardiola in pre-season before a decision is made on their first-team futures. body check tags ::
