“Being there again” is Pep Guardiola’s mantra and it describes how his Manchester City players recharge relentlessly and return to compete for the big prizes during the manager’s era-defining tenure.
Guardiola’s praise is not for the physical talents of a glittering squad but the ability to retain mental hunger despite serial success. Last year’s treble triumph offered the greatest test yet: could Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland et al roll up once more for pre-season training, gaze ahead at another nine-month slog with a target on their backs as Europe’s finest side, and continue to be there again?
