After defending their Premier League crown in dramatic fashion, pre-season awaits for a new-look Manchester City side ready to fight for top honours once again.
On the incomings front, the likes of Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega have sparked plenty of conversation.
While staple members of the City squad such as Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have left for pastures new.
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With the dressing room shake-up that Pep Guardiola had once pointed to now in motion, several players will have something to prove ahead of next season.
Keeping that in mind, here are the five players to keep an eye out for during City’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Erling Haaland
After all the talk around Haaland’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium, City fans have been waiting with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the towering striker.
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Against the likes of Club América and Bayern Munich in pre-season, the fans will be eager to watch the Norwegian in action for two primary reasons.
Firstly, it would be interesting to see what the 21-year-old frontman adds to a City side that were already flying without the presence of a natural number nine.
Secondly, witnessing how the ex-Borussia Dortmund goalscorer is utilised by Guardiola would be a sign of things to come.
Seeing Haaland instantly hit the ground running by bagging a handful of goals ahead of the new season would be a sight to behold.
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Cole Palmer
There have been no shortage of reports that have suggested that Palmer is in line for a bigger role in the upcoming campaign.
With Raheem Sterling’s departure to Chelsea, the Wythenshawe-born youngster will be competing with the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden for a spot on the right wing.
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While many expected the 20-year-old to be handed more opportunities after his career-best display in a 4-1 win against Swindon Town last term, an injury-wrecked second half of the season stopped him in his tracks.
The opportunity of witnessing the academy graduate stake his claim for a starting spot in pre-season, by impressing out wide, is the fairytale story that the City fans are hoping for.
Palmer is the type of superstar in the making that makes fans dream, and he could once again, by putting on a show ahead of a breakthrough season.
Julian Alvarez
While Haaland comes with the reputation of being the finished article, the fact that Alvarez remains an unknown commodity in Europe is one that has enamoured the club’s fanbase.
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As a result, those glued to both of the Sky Blues’ pre-season friendlies would be eager to discover whether the Argentine truly belongs in and amongst some of the very best players in the world.
Additionally, another key factor that the supporters would like to see is where Guardiola deploys the 22-year-old.
Despite the former River Plate hero being a striker by trade, his versatility is one of the prime reasons why the club were seemingly open to the sales of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
Considering the aforementioned factors - as well as the constant parallels to Sergio Agüero - many are rubbing their hands at the opportunity of watching Alvarez in pre-season.
James McAtee
Much like Palmer, the speculation around McAtee has stated that he will be blooded into the first-team with increased involvement next season.
Getting minutes off the bench here and there for his boyhood club last term, a glimpse of the ‘Stockport Silva’ in action was enough for many to get off their seats.
However, two pre-season friendlies will grant the 19-year-old a golden opportunity to showcase his unique skill set to the fullest.
Another intriguing revelation had suggested that McAtee would be integrated into the side by being played in wider positions, much like in the case of Phil Foden during his early days.
To witness whether the said experiment is in motion during the US tour would be an insight into where the youngster is expected to be deployed during the 2022/23 season.
James McAtee is attracting lots of loan interest ahead of the new season (News Images LTD / Alamy)
Stefan Ortega
While Kalvin Phillips is largely recognised as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, a majority of the City supporters seemingly need an introduction to Ortega’s game.
The German’s numbers from last season have sparked conversation about how astute a signing he seems to be by the looks of things.
However, witnessing the former Arminia Bielefeld man in action, especially against Bayern Munich, would be the true litmus test of his abilities.
In addition, one would like to see whether Ortega looks the part enough to genuinely push Ederson for first-team minutes during the following term.
Considering the 29-year-old signalled his ambitions of eventually becoming the number one at City, pre-season could be an indicator of whether such dreams could turn into reality one day.
Topics: Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Stefan Ortega
Srinivas Sadhanand