Ranking the top five Premier League attacks: Which club is king?
By Tom Bogert
1. Manchester City /// 2016/17 goals for: 80 /// 2016/17 top scorer: Sergio Aguero (20)
2017/18 likely top scorer: Sergio Aguero /// 2017/18 Key player: Kevin de Bruyne
City pip Liverpool because they’ve shown the ability to break down defenses that sit in and have a center forward who will score 25 goals if he plays enough games. Behind Aguero, Gabriel Jesus scored seven goals in just 651 minutes after joining in January.
They have their own goal scoring wingers, too. They may not be as prolific as Mane and Salah, but Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling are reliable for some goals and are improving. In midfield, de Bruyne is one of the best players in the league and he has the pleasure of playing next to David Silva.
Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches, literally. He can go sign whoever he wants short of Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo, and has. They spent more than £100 million on fullbacks. No one else in the world has shown the ability to do that. If they weren’t favorites to score the most goals this year, then they’d be horrific at identifying players to buy.
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Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker will create even more chances for Aguero and Jesus. With a questionable defense as a whole, they won’t much be setting up shop to protect 1-0 leads, either.