Instead, a secondary narrative is beginning to take shape - one that could soon dominate the conversation.
Could Pep Guardiola really be preparing to leave this year?
Although Guardiola’s contract with City runs until 2027, there is a growing feeling within the industry that the six-time Premier League-winning manager could bring his time at the Etihad Stadium to an end.
If that were to happen, it would close a chapter that began in 2016 - a decade in which Guardiola reshaped English football and turned City into the dominant force of the domestic game.
There is an increasing sense among well-informed figures around the club that the end may not be far away. The relentless intensity of a decade at the top of English football, combined with changes in his private life, may be starting to take their toll.
City have relinquished their grip on the Premier League, with Liverpool winning the title last season and Arsenal currently leading the charge this time around. Away from the pitch, Guardiola’s relationship with wife Cristina Serra is also believed to have broken down since he agreed his most recent contract extension.
Should Guardiola decide to move on, a new challenge would not be in short supply. An international role is one possibility, while lucrative opportunities in Saudi Arabia are also likely to emerge.
For now, Guardiola still has plenty to play for.
A Carabao Cup final against Arsenal awaits, while City remain competitive in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, and they sit six points behind the Gunners in the title race.
If City fall short of their objectives, Guardiola may decide it is time for a new voice to take the club forward. If they lift trophies, he may choose to step away on a high.
Either way, the suggestion that this could be Guardiola’s final season in charge appears to carry genuine weight.
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