EPL 2017/18: Five things that could be different at Manchester City this season

#4 The revamped defence

If Kompany can keep fit, City will have a solid defence

Pep Guardiola's style of football always relies heavily on the full backs. Dani Alves still holds the prestigious record of being the best provider for Messi, most of which was under Pep's era. Pep had the luxury of playing two of the arguably best full backs in the world with Bayern and they were highly influential too.

Thanks to the massive money spent on the full backs, Walker and Danilo looked like typical Guardiola full backs. Constantly bombarding down the flanks and supporting the attack, pinning down the opposition wingers and protecting their flanks, which was evident in the pre season and in the fixture against Brighton.

Walker was rightly adjudged man of the match for his all round show against Brighton. With the arrival of Mendy and ability of the Danilo to play on both sides of the pitch, they finally seem to have the much needed quality and depth on the sides to bully the opposition wingers and the wing backs.

With Walker and Mendy, City arguably have got the best full backs in the league. There have not been many changes in the central defence, with the exception of departure of Kolarov. However, Vincent Kompany could look like a new signing if he manages maintain the fitness throughout the season.

The dynamics of the defence entirely changed when the captain was fit and was on the pitch at the end of last season. The mystery of leadership which was missing for most part of the last season will no more be mysterious if the captain stays on the pitch this season. The world record signing, John Stones, who was very shaky last season, might thrive under the influence of the captain in a 3-man defence and there were signs of that in the preseason friendlies against Real Madrid and Spurs.