they said i was in awe and truly that is the only word that describes what rivals are feeling now as manchester city welcome their new signings the wow factor is back and it’s back with a vengeance pep guardiola didn’t just sign players he signed a statement to the premier league and the rest of europe that man city are not slowing down they are not tired and they are not satisfied with what they’ve done before after a season where they didn’t win everything like usual people started to doubt but with the new faces arriving those doubts have been crushed and the fear is returning you can smell it you can feel it because the names might not all be superstars yet but the potential the power the profile they are bringing is enough to shake the ground
rayan ait nouri what a breath of fresh air on the left side of defence no more makeshift fullbacks no more right footers twisting to cross on their weak foot this guy runs like the wind overlaps with intelligence defends with grit and attacks with confidence it’s been years since man city had a natural left back and now they have one who looks ready to own that role for the next ten years his debut was in the fifa club world cup and it was electric he dominated that left side every time he touched the ball you knew something was coming he didn’t just play he danced he cut inside he overlapped he tracked back and the coach was smiling because finally that weakness on the left is no longer a weakness it’s a weapon and he is the weapon
then comes rayan cherki the french magician people say he could be the next de bruyne but cherki is not here to copy he is here to create his own legacy he plays like he was born to play at city fast feet quick passes vision to die for and the swagger of a man who knows how good he is he scored on his debut he assisted he dribbled he entertained and he did it all like it was normal this is not someone afraid of pressure he said himself he is not trying to be the next anybody he is cherki and that’s scary because if he’s this good already imagine what pep will turn him into the defenders in the premier league are not ready for him they will turn left and right and he will be gone and the ball will be in the net before they even understand what happened
and what about tijjani reijnders from ac milan best midfielder in italy now he is here in manchester strong tall energetic fast he scores he assists he defends and he never stops running he is what city were missing in midfield since de bruyne’s injuries and gundogan’s exit someone who can control the game and also burst forward with purpose he already played in the club world cup and he looked like he had been there for years calm confident dominant and just like that man city’s midfield looks scary again him plus rodri plus foden or bernardo or whoever it doesn’t matter the point is reijnders is now part of the mix and that makes city more balanced and more dangerous
even the smaller move like bringing in marcus bettinelli from chelsea as a backup goalkeeper shows that city are thinking long term no risk of being short in that position now no worry if anything happens to ederson or ortega city are ready from back to front the planning the execution it’s all on another level and this summer transfer business has been pure proof of that
and let’s not forget the money involved some people talk about city spending big but what they miss is that every penny is spent with purpose since january city have spent 293 million pounds almost 300 million but it’s not wild spending it’s targeted precise they bought what they needed they didn’t just throw money around they built a team to win now and tomorrow they signed players for today and also for five years from now
and already you can see the effect the club world cup games showed a city team that is deep full of options full of new ideas and energy in the game against wydad they rotated rested big stars and still won comfortably because the new boys stepped up the game against al ain was even more brutal 6-0 domination and ait nouri was a beast down the left
this is not just about getting back to winning it’s about getting back to scaring people again that wow factor that feeling opponents get when they see city’s team sheet and they already know the game is lost before it starts that’s what’s returning you look at the bench and even there you see danger you look at the pitch and everyone is hungry again
grealish said it the confidence is coming back the vibe is changing players are buzzing the coach is planning and the fans are dreaming the signings have brought life new breath new magic and that is dangerous for anyone who thought city were slowing down pep himself said it we will be back and when pep talks like that you know he means it
and it’s not just about this season it’s about building a new era a new generation that can carry the torch from the likes of de bruyne and silva and walker and others who have given everything but now need help cherki reijnders ait nouri they are the new faces of that next chapter and they are ready they are fearless and they are here
people can compare but truth is there’s no team like man city when they are focused and refreshed the new signings have not only refreshed the squad they’ve reignited the fire inside the club the standard has been raised again and the rivals are watching and wondering and whispering because they know what’s coming
when you see ait nouri fly down the wing and cross to cherki who flicks it on to haaland who smashes it in you will remember this summer you will remember that city didn’t sleep they built and now they are ready to destroy
and this is just the beginning more games to play more trophies to chase more magic to witness and with this squad this coach this hunger and now this wow factor city are back and they’re coming with thunder
this season belongs to no one yet but manchester city are coming for it with new faces full of power full of style and full of belief the rivals said they were in awe and that was just after the first glimpse now imagine what’s going to happen when the real games begin the champions are not dead they’re just waking up and when they rise there’s no stopping them
