Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan insists they won't let up this season.

Pep Guardiola's City side have won three of the last four league crowns in England's top-flight and are firm favourites to retain their crown in this campaign.

“I don't think that there is going to be one team that just goes flying from the start and wins the league with a big gap. I expect a tough competition this year and a very exciting competition for the fans," he said.

"Especially, two, three or four other teams strengthened their squads quite well, they were already good last season. I think we were just exceptional again. Our standard should be the same like we proved last year, then we will be able to compete.

"If not, it will be tough because the other ones got better and they will also force us to try and achieve our highest level.

"I think Chelsea [will be a challenger]. They also beat us in the Champions League final, they have a great manager, a great concept of the way they play and they have great players obviously.

"Manchester United is going to be there again, but also teams like Leicester and Tottenham, as they have always made life difficult for us in the past. It is going to be tough and I am not expecting an easy season at all."