A Premier League title chase for the ages and Manchester City were the right champions
If Man City's recruitment follows its usual pattern in the summer it will be limited, targeted and avoid the silly-money scramble.
Monday 13 May 2019 13:38, UK
It's been amazing, unprecedented, admirable and captivating - but rather like Christmas and heatwaves, most people wouldn't want it all the time.
Manchester City and Liverpool delivered a Premier League title chase for the ages, with the outcome unpredictable until Riyadh Mahrez's third goal gave City breathing space at Brighton with only 27 minutes of the season remaining.
But variety is life-enhancing, and two-horse races are not healthy long term - if it's always the same two horses, however wonderful thoroughbreds they may be.
Most people in British football - including the fans - would be keen to avoid emulating Spain or Germany.
Only three times this century has a team other than Barcelona or Real Madrid won the Spanish League; only three times have Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund failed to nail down the German title.
There is barely even a race in Italy, where Juventus have been champions eight years running, or in France (Paris St Germain six times in seven seasons, and 16 points clear this time).
And no one should doubt that when City manager Pep Guardiola said within an hour of the end: "We will be stronger next season," he meant it.
If the club's summer recruitment follows its usual pattern, it will be limited, targeted and early, avoiding the silly-money scramble approaching August's deadline.
Liverpool - with a record runners-up points total of 97 - can also be expected to line up stronger for widely-popular Jurgen Klopp, and they will enter the new campaign as European Champions if they prevail in the 1 June final against Tottenham in Madrid.
Where will a challenge come from?
Manchester United? Not for a while, even according to their own manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Tottenham? The potential is there, and their new stadium is inspiring, but key personnel - even manager Mauricio Pochettino - could be tempted by challenges overseas. And they are parsimonious recruiters.
Chelsea? Boss Maurizio Sarri is a wily fox but is neither adored nor certain to stay; star forward Eden Hazard appears bound for Real Madrid, and the club is subject to a transfer ban for rule-breaking.
Arsenal? Might be the best bet. Head coach Unai Emery seems to be getting his feet under the table and they will be stronger for the season the Spaniard has had adapting to the Premier League.
The shortest odds about any of those four for next season are in double figures - and you can get 200-1 about anyone else.
That glorious 5000-1 triumph of Leicester City feels longer than three years ago.
Manchester City were the right champions this time - the best team, easily the best squad and, in Guardiola, a coach every club bar Liverpool would dream of employing.
Is it the early phase of a dynasty to rival that of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson (13 titles in 21 seasons)?
It feels more likely than not.