Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness believes Manchester City's squad is the "best" he has ever seen at one football club during his career.
The former Liverpool defender made the admission ahead of City's Premier League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon when asked who he thought the runners and riders would be in the battle for the title this season.
City, aiming to defend their crown, have entered the new campaign as favourites to win the top-flight for the eighth time in their history, but are likely to face strong competition from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and cross-city rivals Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola's side got off to the worst possible start as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Spurs on Sunday, courtesy of Son Heung-Min's strike.
City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all spent big-money on new big-name additions in a bid to challenge for top spot.
Despite that and City's defeat to Spurs — which saw a club league debut for £100 million recruit Jack Grealish — Souness is still tipping them to win the title, highlighting the sheer level of quality they have within their ranks as a key factor.
"Manchester City are going to be the team to beat," Souness told Sky Sports.
"I think Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United will challenge them but when you look at this squad, this is the best squad in my time, 50 years of professional football, that I have ever seen at one football club."
City host Norwich at the Etihad Stadium next Saturday, bidding to kickstart their Premier League defence.
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