Manchester City winger Leroy Sane has claimed that the 2017-18 campaign will be the "hardest season" in the Premier League to date.
The Citizens finished third last season in the top flight - billed at the start as a seven-horse race - and failed to get their hands on any silverware.
With his own team spending upwards of £200m this summer so far and other big clubs also investing heavily in new players, Sane believes that the league will be even more competitive this time round.
"Last season everyone said to me I think it's going to be the hardest season. Now a year on it's again the hardest season," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think that's the special thing about the Premier League because every team wants to buy players, get better and improve more. Yes, it will be a very hard season this season."
Sane joined Man City last summer from German club Schalke 04, signing a five-year deal for a reported initial £37m.
Giuseppe Labellarte
