Former Manchester City player Richard Dunne has opened up on his hopes for his former club ahead of the new season.
Dunne played for City for nine seasons and is now a pundit for TNT Sports, having retired from football in November 2015 following a brief stint at QPR.
Dunne believes City can win the title next season, having missed out to Liverpool last term. However, he believes Phil Foden is key for the campaign.
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The 45-year-old, speaking to Hungarian bookmaker reviews by ultrasportsbet.com, said: "I think Phil Foden needs to get back to his best and if he does, then Man City can go very close indeed.
Richard Dunne has revealed his assessments of Manchester City ahead of the new season
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“It’s going to be a very competitive title race. Man City have recruited well. [Tijjani] Reinders will step up and I am excited to see him play this season.
“I am looking forward to this season as the Man City forward line can work really well. I like [Omar] Marmoush, I expect him to have a big season and score plenty of goals.
“You can see him scoring goals and if he can score goals to add to [Erling] Haaland’s goals, then City has a good chance this season. We need to see [Jeremy] Doku score more goals when he has a chance too. It’s about who hits the ground running at the start of the season and keeping momentum up."
City have been going through a period of change, with veteran Kyle Walker finally moving away from the club. The England international has moved to Burnley after spending the second half of last season on loan with AC Milan.
Dunne, however, has nothing but positive things to say about the right-back.
He said: “I think Kyle Walker was a superb servant for Man City. He has everything and more you want in a full back and look at the amount of trophies he has won.
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Richard Dunne believes Phil Foden is key to getting City back into the title fight
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“I think he will be missed. I think he still had something to give for City as his experience is vital and he also has leadership qualities which you need if you are to challenge for honours. He is a special player, you look what he has done playing in an England shirt as well.
“The raw speed he has is exceptional and I think he will be a big loss for the team and the squad as a whole. In who will be a long term replacement I see [Tino] Liveramento at Newcastle has been touted and I like him a lot.
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“He has some similar traits as Kyle and I like the way he plays, he is always looking to get forward, but can defend well too."
Dunne also believes that Ruben Dias signing a new contract with the club was vital to the future at the Etihad.
Richard Dunne believes Ruben Dias is an integral art of the future at the Ethiad
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“I think Ruben Dias is a fantastic player for Manchester City and it’s great to see him sign a new contract. Anyone who plays along side him will be a better player because of this," he said.
Manchester City kick off their Premier League campaign against Wolves on Saturday as they look to reclaim the title.