"My bet is still on Man City" - Pundit names player who must 'step up' for Manchester City to beat Liverpool and Arsenal in Premier League title race
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes Kevin De Bruyne could make the difference for the side in the race against Arsenal and Liverpool for the Premier League title. The former defender-turned-pundit started his career with City, coming through their youth ranks to make 246 appearances and help the team to two Premier League titles.
Speaking about his former club's chances on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Richards said via The Boot Room:
“So I think it’ll be a lot closer this year, but I still think Man City will do it. And the player I think should step up, Kevin De Bruyne, I think he’s got the most experience. Coming back from injury, and he’s, I think he will step up, no I think he should step up. They’re a different team when he’s in the side. So my bet is still on Man City.”
Arsenal have been the closest competitors to Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title over the two previous seasons. However, Liverpool have announced themselves as legitimate contenders this season under Arne Slot and currently sit atop the league.
Manchester City defender appears to fire warning to Liverpool and Arsenal
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has appeared to fire shots at title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool after his team's recent poor run of form. The reigning English champions have fallen to four consecutive defeats for the first time since Pep Guardiola took charge of the club.
Despite that, the Portuguese star has urged his opponents not to take his side for granted with more than half of the campaign left to play. The Manchester-based club has won the last four Premier League titles on the bounce and the defender was keen to remind his opponents and detractors of that fact. He told the press (via FotMob):
"I would say, please doubt us, doubt us, feel welcome to do so, when we did the treble, we even called it the dark January. We had a tough period. But it is what it is. What matters is how you bounce back from these moments."
"That's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together. We don't find people to kill, we find people to bring into the cause and fight together. That's what we need to do once again. Until it's done, it's not done."
Arsenal has been the closest competition for the Premier League in recent seasons and currently sits in fourth place, nine points behind table-topping Liverpool.
Manchester City currently sit in second place in the Premier League, five points off the top after 11 games.