Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has tipped Manchester City ahead of Arsenal to win this season's Premier League title, despite the club's departure from a decade-long managerial era under Pep Guardiola.
Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast, Carragher explained that City's continuity in quality, even amid managerial change, gives them an edge over their rivals. "I think City. The reason I think City is that I think they were still close last year. I know Pep's gone, I get that," Carragher said.
He suggested that a change in leadership could actually work in City's favor after such a long spell under one manager. "When you've had the same manager for ten years, the flip side of what people will say is that it's hard to come after him. Just something a little bit new, a little bit fresh," he added.
Carragher's confidence in City hinges heavily on the futures of key figures, most notably midfielder Rodri, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. The Liverpool legend suggested that keeping the Spanish international would be crucial for City's title prospects. "I think if Rodri left for Real Madrid then I wouldn't be saying that but in terms of where they are right now… If you're City, what's the point in selling Rodri? What's the point? Just get another year out of him and let him go for free. He's the best in his position. What's £40m for City?" Carragher said.
Despite acknowledging that City endured a difficult campaign by their recent standards, Carragher believes that the title race went to the wire last season, and could easily do so again this time around. "I don't think City were great for a lot of last season and the title still almost went to the wire. If Rodri stays or goes that could be a huge factor," he explained.
Turning his attention to Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, Carragher acknowledged the challenge they face under new manager Enzo Maresca, who arrives with a strong reputation built during his time at Chelsea. The pundit praised the Italian's tactical approach and ability to trouble even the league's best sides.
"There's a question because he [Maresca] is new to the role but I'm a fan of Maresca in terms of what he does on the pitch, in terms of what happened at Chelsea, in terms of watching him tactically and how he set up," Carragher said.
He pointed to Chelsea's performances against Liverpool last season, when Arne Slot's side ultimately claimed the title, as evidence of Maresca's tactical acumen. "The problems they caused Liverpool at times, when Liverpool won the league under Arne Slot, the two Chelsea games, I was looking at them and thinking, 'This fella knows what he's doing' and I think he's very capable at the level he's coaching at," Carragher added.
Still, Carragher remained uncertain whether removing the psychological burden of past near-misses would be enough to elevate Arsenal to genuine title winners this season. "Whether Arsenal will be a lot better because they've got the monkey off their back, I don't know," he said, reiterating his belief that the title race, as things stand with a month still remaining in the transfer window, is a two-horse contest between Arsenal and City.
With the transfer window still open and Rodri's future unresolved, Carragher's prediction underscores just how finely balanced this season's title race could prove to be, with individual decisions potentially shaping the destination of the trophy.
Based on reporting from standard-football.