10 questions that will define the season

Retaining the Premier League for the first time would serve as proof City are now the dominant force in Manchester

Can Manchester City finally break a trend?

It’s been a somewhat subdued summer for Manchester City, with that feeling deepened by a raucous World Cup, and the fact the defending champions opted not to sign any of the stars of Brazil 2014. That is perhaps further illustration of the club’s new maturity, as City only looked to improve areas where they were obviously lacking: Fernando offers another option in defensive midfield; Eliaquim Mangala is likely to come in at centre-half. They now have an even deeper squad foundation, and that could help them stand with a stronger footing against one of the usual consequences of the World Cup: no Premier League team have retained the title in the season after the global tournament. That is partially because the event can be so energy-sapping and distort the next campaign, but it also carries extra resonance for City. They are themselves looking to retain the title for the first time in their history. It would mean all the more because it would be the club moving onto another level again, fully succeeding Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United as the dominant force.