2018 was the year of the Centurions and that relentless front-three of Sterling-Sane-Aguero. 2019 was the year Manchester City fought off Liverpool to win an unprecedented domestic treble. 2021 saw Pep Guardiola use a false nine to take City to new heights, and 2022 added the inverted full-back to Guardiola's ever-evolving tactical playbook.
If each of those four Premier League title wins earn a chapter in that book, then 2023 will need an entire volume of its own.
Guardiola has developed his tactics on a game-by-game basis, from integrating Erling Haaland to solving the small issue of playing half the campaign without a recognised left-back. As City march on to try and complete the treble, it feels that Guardiola has his most complete squad when it comes to versatility, adaptability, and playing football in the Guardiola mould.
