Paul Dickov backs ‘special’ Manchester City to get even better

Paul Dickov believes Manchester City are only at the beginning of what could be a glorious trophy-laden era. City secured their second successive Premier League title – and their fourth in seven years – on Sunday. It was also their second major piece of silverware this season and they will have a chance to add another, and complete an unprecedented domestic treble, when they face Watford in the FA Cup final on Saturday. It has been a remarkable campaign and former City striker Dickov expects plenty more success in the coming years for Pep Guardiola’s exciting team. The 46-year-old said: “I just think they are going to get better and better all the time. “Look at the age of the squad. I know you’ve got Vincent (Kompany), Sergio (Aguero) and David (Silva) but look at Ederson, (Aymeric) Laporte, (John) Stones, (Benjamin) Mendy, Bernardo Silva, (Leroy) Sane, Raheem (Sterling), Gabriel Jesus – they’re all 23-24. “When you look at what they have won already at that young age and what they could go on to do, they are only going to get better.” City were pushed closely in the title race by Liverpool – winning by only one point – but their standards have not slipped from last year’s record-breaking campaign. The team accumulated 198 points over the past two years with Guardiola continuing to push them on. Dickov, who earned a place in City folklore by scoring their memorable equalising goal in the 1999 Second Division play-off final, said: “I thought last season would have been hard to beat – 100 points, 100 goals, breaking all sorts of records – but I think they have exceeded that this year. “For Liverpool to lose one game and finish on 97 points and not win the league shows you how good this Manchester City team are. “Back to the turn of the year Liverpool were seven points ahead and could have gone 10 points ahead when City played them, but City beat them and got it to four points. “It could have been seven after we lost to Newcastle, but then to go and win 14 games on the bounce shows you what a special team this is.” Topics Paul Dickov, Premier League, Man City Dickov: Leicester title run built to last City players on trial ahead of Guardiola arrival – Dickov Aguero probably the best striker in the world – former City forward Dickov Vardy could have joined Oldham for £30,000 – Dickov Riyad Mahrez determined to establish himself with champions Manchester City Mellon hails Norwood for ‘absolute cracker’ that sends Tranmere into play-off final Kearney hails St Mirren patience as they take relegation battle to final day Lessons learned and strong team bond will drive on Liverpool – Robertson Shan to use Champions League comebacks as inspiration in West Brom play-off bid Farewell, Daniel Sturridge? How the true one-season wonder became a distant relic at Liverpool 8 players from this season’s relegated teams who deserve a Premier League move this summer Barcelona ready to challenge Tottenham Hotspur for Ajax youngster Quiz! Can you name the 28 players with most fouls in the Premier League this season? Transfer rumours: New Premier League destination for Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho?