Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic fears it will be an arduous campaign for City to retain their status as Premier League champions with other top sides around them strongly stepping up their game for the new season with bolstered squads.
City clinched the title the final day of the 2013/2014 season after capitalising on Liverpool’s collapse and went on to be Premier League champions for the second time in two years.
But, after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield final on Sunday, Jovetic realises the expectations upon them are high and the competition they face defending their title will be more fierce than ever before.
“This year is going to be more difficult than last year, because Manchester United will be much better than last year, Arsenal are stronger, Chelsea with three or four players they have bought will be better,” the Montenegrin forward told the Daily Mail.
“Liverpool are also good, they are strong now and if they buy some strikers, they will also be in the race for the title.
“I expect a really tough season, but we need to believe in ourselves, and hopefully we are going to win the league again.”
The 24-year-old played just 16 games for City last season and managed six goals, as manager Manuel Pellegrini preferred to play Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.
The striker, who spent a lot of last season sidelined with injury troubles, is hoping to be a more prominent feature for the Manchester champions during the new season ahead.
“I did a good pre-season, now I cannot wait to have a good Premier League and in all the other competitions to show my ability.
“When I played last season, it was good. Every game was OK. I was just injured a lot of the time, so I was always behind with the conditioning.
“That was the number one problem, but in the final three or four months, it was fine and I was playing. This year it is going to be better.”