Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor says he is expecting his team to mount a serious title challenge this season.

The Citizens finished 11 points behind champions Chelsea, ending last campaign in fourth place but, when asked by Sky Sports about the club’s ambitions ahead of the new WSL season, Taylor was forthright with his response:

“Our intention is to win the league. It’s as clear as that. We have it in our thought process, that’s the aim. We know how difficult it is, having such a tight season with 12 teams and 22 games.”

“But we’ve seen a lot of teams challenging now, taking points off one another. We know it’ll be a bumpy ride at times, but of course, our aim is to win.”

City have made one marquee signing

The Manchester club have made their ambitions clear by recruiting former Arsenal star Jill Roord for a British transfer record from Wolfsburg this summer.

However, other than the Dutch international, they failed to secure any other signings, with the only other addition being the return of Jess Park from her loan spell at Everton.

Considering the number of players that Chelsea and Arsenal have brought in, there is an argument to say that City have stood still while their rivals have improved. However, Taylor insists that stability is more important after seeing his team falter last season following significant changes to the playing squad.

The bookies are still backing City’s rivals

Most bookmakers have Taylor’s side as third favourites for the title, with Sky Bet pricing them at 4/1. They are ahead of last season’s runners-up Manchester United, who are not well-fancied, after losing Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle over the course of the summer.

As expected, Chelsea and Arsenal remain the two main contenders but Taylor will be hoping his team can defy the odds and secure their first title since 2016.