Only the second English club after Manchester United to achieve the historic treble, the next challenge for Manchester City will be focused on becoming the first to defend all three titles.
Likewise, the Eastlands outfit appears to be wasting no time, planning on making a stronger superior team, indicating no lack of spending through the summer months.
The first big swoop of the transfer window has focused on Mateo Kovacic, with Manchester City acting swiftly to seal the deal with Chelsea.
This move grants Pep Guardiola the opportunity to bring in another key midfielder. Although Kovacic will undoubtedly need to work hard for opportunities in the first eleven, he will certainly fancy his chances of succeeding.
Manchester City Signs Croatian Dynamo
Kovacic is a talented player who boasts a winning mentality, ultimately prompting Manchester City to make their move and bring in the croatian world class midfielder to improve improve their squad.
All his previous triumphs and experiences will be tested as Manchester City heads into the 2023-24 campaign as clear favorites in every competition, with a host of NZ sports sites backing this up.
The biggest challenge for Kovacic will be locking down a regular starting berth, given the fearsome depth of squad competition available to Guardiola.
However, the Croatian international has already demonstrated his qualities on practically all the biggest stages, including two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Kovacic will principally compete with Rodri and Kalvin Phillips, but his tactical and positional flexibility should provide Guardiola with plenty of options and roles.
The only question remaining is that with such continued top-quality recruitment, will anyone in the Premier League or Europe be able to stop the continued success of Manchester City?
Kovacic Winning Experience
Having made his professional breakthrough with Dinamo Zagreb, the promising talents of Kovacic helped his team win back-to-back Croatian league, and cup doubles through the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
Soon chosen to represent the Croatia national team, the dynamic young midfielder also caught the watchful eyes of leading European clubs.
Kovacic switched to Inter Milan in January 2013, enjoying two highly positive campaigns individually, albeit unable to help guide the Serie A side toward silverware.
Nevertheless, his enthusiasm and ambition quickly attracted the attention of Real Madrid, leading to the Spanish giants making their move in August 2015.
Kovacic made 109 appearances throughout three seasons as Real Madrid achieved the unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles.
Including the continental conquests, Kovacic earned winners’ medals as Real Madrid won 9 titles during his time at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Following the shock departure of Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss, Kovacic headed into the 2015-16 season with his future at the club in doubt once Julen Lopetegui arrived as the new head coach.
Eager to provide the player with an appealing escape route, Chelsea moved for Kovacic in August 2018, securing an initial deal on loan with an obligatory purchase option.
Despite being somewhat underwhelming under Italian coach Maurizio Sarri, when Frank Lampard took the managerial helm for the 2019-20 season, Kovacic returned to his best form, earning the Chelsea Player of the Year award.
Already having won the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea in 2018-19, Kovacic won his 4th UEFA Champions League title in 2020-21, as the Blues narrowly defeated Manchester City in the final.
Vastly experienced, 29-year-old Kovacic will depart from Chelsea with plenty of honor after featuring in 221 games and scoring six goals, alongside four major trophy wins.
