Pep Guardiola laid down a significant marker when allowing Joao Cancelo to leave Manchester City on what was an unpredictably chaotic deadline day at the Etihad Stadium and beyond.
City have not exactly made a habit of springing such surprises, at least in the transfer market, although their innovative Catalan manager does have form for a few twists and turns. But his next big statement might well have been mapped out already no matter how things play out this season.
Despite having to play catch up on Arsenal at the Premier League summit, there is every chance City and the star-studded team Guardiola possesses can bridge the gap and get their hands on another English crown and this, too, could finally be the year Kevin de Bruyne and his teammates end their European hoodoo.
