Manchester City told to repeat success or remain inferior to rivals
MANCHESTER CITY need to win consecutive Premier League titles - such as Manchester United and Chelsea - in order to be considered great.
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That’s what BBC pundit and all-time Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer believes.
City broke a number of records on their way to a third Premier League crown this season, which included reaching 100 points after the late win over Southampton on the final day.
Pep Guardiola's men also recorded the most wins in an English top-flight season with 32, scored the most goals with 106 and finished 19 points ahead of second-placed Man Utd.
Yet they have never defended their title - a feat both United and Chelsea have managed.
To be a great team you've to go on and win successive titles
And Shearer, himself a title winner with Blackburn in 1995, said City must now go on to dominate to be considered a ‘great’ team.
“I wouldn't be backing any other team at this moment to win the Premier League," he said. "Manchester City have put out a brilliant statement this year.
"They have produced some football that we have never witnessed in the Premier League before.
”But to be a great team you've to go on and win successive titles."
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City also won the Premier League in 2011-12 and 2013-14 but have not yet achieved back-to-back wins.
"Of course, Manchester City haven't done that in the past. They've got a hell of an opportunity to go and do it now,” Shearer added.
"They've said to the rest of the Premier League 'catch us if you can - good luck'."
After an indifferent start to his tenure at City, Pep Guardiola’s methods had been questioned in English football but any doubts have now well and truly disappeared after a remarkable second season.
Guardiola won three consecutive league titles whilst manager of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich and a hat trick of hat tricks is a distinct possibility.