Manchester City are riding high, on the precipice of achieving the remarkable but the relentless march of progress means that in a few short weeks, it will all start anew.
In eight days' time, Pep Guardiola's incredible side may have won the Champions League to go alongside the FA Cup and Premier League title to claim a remarkable treble. But ahead of the first of the two massive finals, talk has already begun to turn to the upcoming summer transfer window.
Football.London reports that Mateo Kovacic "now looks set to have made his last appearance" for Chelsea and that City are in discussions to sign the midfielder. A signing that would have plenty of positives but also some negatives.
Also read: Man City home shirt breaks club records after Real Madrid quirk
The coming summer certainly appears likely to return to more of a tranquil normality rather than the hectic window of last year. Guardiola has tended to favour gradual evolution rather than full-on revolution when building his squad but winds of change swept through the Etihad last year as out went four players integral to the club's recent success and in came Erling Haaland, who would herald a completely new style of play for City.
It took a bit of time for everything to settle, showing why Guardiola tends to avoid the approach and not helped by a mid-season World Cup, but once it did in mid-February the Blues became unstoppable. In stark contrast, City need far fewer additions this year.
Left-back remains a concern but Guardiola may opt to go without signing one again given Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Rico Lewis and even Bernardo Silva have all played well there. Joao Cancelo is also set to return, though his future is uncertain.
There have been rumblings over Laporte's future too, with the centre-back reportedly frustrated with his lack of playing time and Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested. Should the centre-back depart then he would have to be replaced - RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol has been linked - but otherwise, City's biggest priority has to be in the middle.
With Phil Foden still viewed as a forward for now, City have relatively few options for their midfield positions and they could reduce yet further. Ilkay Gundogan's contract will soon expire and no word on whether he will stay or go has yet been given. Guardiola is desperate to keep one of his most trusted lieutenants, who has once again been indispensable in the high-pressure run-in, but it's feeling increasingly like the captain may seek a new challenge as he approaches the closing stages of his glittering career.
Which is where the links with Kovacic come in. The Croatian is of a similar mould to Gundogan and could act as a near like-for-like replacement. Though he hasn't been as consistent as the City man during his five years at a turbulent Chelsea he has a lot of the same qualities: great passer, intelligent, strong in possession, versatile, perfect timing and awareness in attacking areas and the ability to keep a team in control.
Signing Kovacic to replace a departing Gundogan would make a great deal of sense. But while it solves that one problem it doesn't solve the other going into this summer, which is that their midfield is in need of rejuvenation. The attack positions have been future-proofed by Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Rico Lewis is coming through at the back and Ruben Dias is not yet in his prime.
But the midfield is ageing. Gundogan, regardless of if he stays, is 32, Kevin De Bruyne will be 31 when the next season starts, Bernardo Silva turns 29 in August and Kalvin Phillips isn't too far behind after failing to make an impact in his first season. Rodri is the youngest of City's midfielders and even he turns 27 this month.
City have always been proactive in their squad building, freshening up the side and bringing through the next generation while the current one is still at the peak of its powers. But they haven't done that just yet in the middle of the park. It's not as though hitting the 30 mark is the death knell it once was, footballers are much fitter in the modern era and many could play to a great level as they approach 40.
But it would be prudent of City to avoid any problems down the road when their key players do depart by bringing in some fresh blood this summer. At 29, Kovacic isn't that.
Of course, Jude Bellingham would be the ideal signing in this regard as at still just 19 he is set to dominate the game for the next decade at least. But it seems as though City will be beaten to the punch by Real Madrid.
Though that will be a blow, there is plenty more talent out there who could replace Gundogan while ensuring City will continue to rule long into the future.
READ NEXT:
