Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen does not believe Man City will be title contenders next season.

Speaking to talkSPORT (via GiveMeSport), Owen said that Pep Guardiola’s squad has undergone a significant overhaul and he can’t see them competing for top spot:

“I just think Man City were far off it last season and there’s been so much change over the summer. They’re almost unrecognisable given the amount of players they’ve brought in over the last year. I think that takes a little bit of time to bed in.”

“Rodri will be back of course but there’s no guarantee with him coming back from an ACL injury. No, I don’t think they will win the Premier League. I don’t think so.”

Man City have to silence the doubters

After their struggles in the Premier League last season, as well as being knocked out by Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, there are legitimate questions about Guardiola’s side heading into the new campaign.

With a truncated pre-season as well, new additions won’t have much time to bed in, so it will be a massive test of Guardiola’s management to get his team into the sort of shape required to mount a serious title challenge.

Who does Owen think will win the Premier League title?

Unsurprisingly, the ex-England international is backing one of his former clubs to finish in first place, but he also thinks two other teams could be in with a shout:

“I’m firmly in Liverpool’s camp, if there’s going to be an upset, I think Arsenal and the big outsider is maybe Chelsea. I don’t think Man City can bounce back that quick.”

Of course, City supporters will be hoping that Owen is eating his words by the time we get to the end of the campaign in May.

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