Squad depth is key in this day and age, so Goal has taken a close look at just how well stocked the big guns really are
According to Jose Mourinho, four teams are capable of winning the Premier League this season.
"Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City B team," the Portuguese told when asked who could triumph in 2019-20.
After winning back-to-back Premier League titles, Pep Guardiola's side are strong favourites to add another this campaign, with their squad depth further strengthened over the summer by the arrivals of Rodri and Joao Cancelo.
However, would their reserves really be capable of beating the Big Six's first-choice line-ups?
Taking injuries, potential departures before the close of the European transfer window and form into account, Goal has compiled an A and B team for every top-six club to see how Manchester City's second-string side stacks up…
Manchester City A team
The greatest side in Premier League history? After racking up a record-breaking 100 points in 2017-18, Pep Guardiola's men retained their crown last season by edging Liverpool in one of the greatest title races English football has ever seen.
City are now bidding to make it three in a row with a near-flawless line-up. Vincent Kompany's leadership will be missed at the back but the defence will be held together by the brilliant Aymeric Laporte, while Ederson is one of the game's best sweeper-keepers.
New signing Rodri should reinvigorate the midfield, Kevin De Bruyne is fit again and Raheem Sterling is just going from strength to strength, meaning the champions could actually be even stronger this season – a terrifying thought for the rest of the Premier League.
AdvertisementManchester City B team
What will scare City's rivals most, though, is the fact that their bench will once again be packed with world-class players.
Leroy Sane may be out injured until 2020 but he was by no means a guaranteed starter this season, which only serves to underline the champions' outrageous array of options.
Indeed, the likes of Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho would be regulars in almost every other side in the league.
Liverpool A team
That Liverpool didn't win the league last year says more about City's sustained excellence than any failing on the part of the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp's troops racked up a whopping 97 points, which would have been sufficient to finish top in all but two top-flight seasons.
Liverpool still ended up claiming a sixth European Cup, though, and their recent success has been founded upon a brilliant, Virgil van Dijk-led backline and the scintillating attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Liverpool B team
While it is often argued that Liverpool lack City's strength in depth, it is worth noting that a number of their reserves played a key role in their Champions League triumph, chief among them, Divock Origi.
James Milner is also capable of playing in nearly every position on the field, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez were both flying before suffering injuries, while Naby Keita is still expected to prove himself a world-class midfielder once he settles at Anfield.