Paul Merson: Are we being too tough on Man City?

It's easy to get carried away with all the talk about Man City being finished. They've had a tough start to the season, but they're still a great team.

The problem with Man City is that the expectation levels are so high. They've been the best team in the country for the past five years, so anything less than a trophy is seen as a failure.

But I think we need to be a bit more realistic. Man City are going through a transition. They've lost a few key players, and they're trying to bed in some new ones.

It's going to take time for them to get back to their best. But I'm confident that they will. They've got a great manager in Pep Guardiola, and they've got some of the best players in the world.

So, let's not write them off just yet. They're still a force to be reckoned with.

Here are a few reasons why I think Man City will be back:

• They've still got Pep Guardiola. He's one of the best managers in the world, and he knows how to get the best out of his players.
• They've got some of the best players in the world. Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Jack Grealish are all world-class players.
• They're playing in a weaker league. The Premier League is still one of the best leagues in the world, but it's not as strong as it used to be. This gives Man City a big advantage.

I'm not saying that Man City are going to win the title this season. But I think they'll be back in the mix next season. They're too good to be written off.