Zabaleta makes Champions League prediction after Man City's summer transfers

Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has tipped Pep Guardiola's side to finally win the Champions League after their summer acquisitions.

The Sky Blues have spent just shy of £100million this summer to land striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and bring in Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United. These arrivals have bolstered the squad after City sold Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal respectively, with former captain Fernandinho also leaving.

Haaland and Phillips arrive at the Etihad to plenty of anticipation given their fine performances in recent seasons. Zabaleta, who played for City 333 times between 2008 and 2017, believes the duo could be the final pieces of the puzzle as Guardiola's side aim to win their maiden Champions League title.

"He's a big lad," Zabaleta told Sky Sports of Haaland. "I saw him and he was 'wow', but he was one of the main players and he was in the market, a lot of top teams were looking to sign him and we are all very pleased to have him at the club. I think he's already got that connection with Man City because his dad [Alf-Inge] played for the club before. For me, I would say he is probably the best player in the world.

"Players come here and then they don't want to move again, they feel like a family. He is a world class player, he's a great signing, same as Kalvin Phllips. Fernandinho left and the club needed to bring someone in to replace him. He's been really good at Leeds and all of the players will be doing everything they can to make the club better.

"Domestically, they have won everything, they have been very successful, dominating England football in recent years. The Champions League is one of those competitions the club is looking for, but I'm confident that hopefully, they can win it soon."

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City have dominated English football in recent years, winning the Premier League in four of the last five seasons, while also winning four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup in that time. However, despite their domestic success, they are yet to win the Champions League.

The closest City have got to doing so was in the 2020/21 campaign, when they reached the final in Porto before losing to Chelsea 1-0.

While Haaland and Phillips are the two big names, Guardiola will also be boosted by the arrival of Argentine forward Julian Alvarez. Signed from River Plate in January, he spent the second half of last season with his former club before linking up with City ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Jesus may not be the only member of City's 2021/22 title-winning squad to leave for Arsenal this summer. Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is also set to follow the Brazilian to North London, with the Ukrainian closing in on a move worth up to £32million including add-ons.

City are yet to start their pre-season fixtures but face Mexican side Club America on Thursday morning in Houston. Guardiola's side conclude their schedule three days later with a meeting against German champions Bayern Munich in Green Bay before they play Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 30.