The sun had barely climbed above the Etihad campus when the team poured onto the pitch, clad in fresh navy training kits. The grass sparkled under the morning dew, perfectly trimmed and marked. It was the first day of pre-season training—technically light work, but the energy among the squad said otherwise.
Adriano jogged out with a slight bounce in his step, his hair tied back neatly, boots already laced and ready. Around him, familiar voices echoed—De Bruyne laughing with Dybala, Yaya already complaining about the weather, and Robertson chasing down Trent in some early banter-fueled sprint.
"Oi, Adriano!" Robertson called from across the pitch, grinning. "Don't let this Trent lad fool you, yeah? He says he's faster than me."
"Only when you're running backwards, Andy," Trent fired back, jogging up beside Adriano with a smirk.
Adriano chuckled, giving Trent a fist bump. "First day and you're already starting beef?"
"He started it," Trent said quickly, then looked around, soaking in the surroundings. "Still can't believe I'm here. This place is unreal."
"You'll settle in fast," Adriano assured him, patting his shoulder. "And if Andy gives you trouble, just pass the ball through his legs. That shuts him up."
"Oi!" Robertson barked again, but it only made everyone laugh.
A whistle cut through the chatter. Coach Pellegrini stood at the sidelines, signaling the start of warmups. The players quickly lined up, forming neat rows as they began with light stretches and jogs.
Next to Adriano, Rashford and Mac Allister stretched with extra bounce, clearly hyped up for their first full senior session. Rashford practically vibrated with energy.
"This is mad," Rashford whispered under his breath. "Look at this lineup. I feel like I'm playing FIFA."
"You're in it now," Adriano said with a grin. "Just don't sprint like it's a 90-minute final every session. You'll burn out by lunch."
Rashford grinned sheepishly. "Noted."
A few yards ahead, Mbappé was doing side lunges, his eyes drifting constantly to the veterans around him. Hazard, Kane, Aguero—he couldn't stop glancing.
"You good?" Adriano asked, sliding beside him during a jogging drill.
"Yeah, yeah," Mbappé nodded, though his grin betrayed his excitement. "I'm just—this is insane. I saw Kane at the World Cup on TV last year, now I'm doing warm-ups next to him."
Adriano laughed. "By the end of the week, you'll be nutmegging him in rondos. Just don't tell him I said that."
Mbappé chuckled, then leaned closer. "One of the assistant coaches told me… you're the one who recommended me for promotion."
Adriano kept jogging, but he nodded. "Saw your training last season. The right touch, timing, awareness—you don't teach that."
Mbappé's eyes lit up. "Thanks, man. That means a lot. I'll make sure I live up to it."
"You already are," Adriano said, before jogging ahead. "Now try not to trip over your own feet in front of De Bruyne."
The morning session picked up pace. They moved into passing drills and small-possession rondos, the tempo rising with each whistle. Donnarumma, towering in goal, yelled directions with authority far beyond his years. Theo Hernandez showed off his stamina on overlapping runs, and Son Heung-Min, quick to adapt, slotted in seamlessly during transition plays.
Adriano kept a close eye on all of them. Every now and then, he'd pause to offer tips—adjusting a passing angle, suggesting when to slow play, when to burst forward. It wasn't formal mentoring, just casual, natural advice passed in the middle of a drill or while tying laces.
"Mac, less is more," Adriano said, jogging beside Alexis Mac Allister as they rotated during the possession games. "You've got the touch—trust it. One touch, then go. Don't overcook it."
Mac Allister nodded, visibly soaking it in. "Got it. Any tips for keeping rhythm?"
"Always scan," Adriano said, pointing to his eyes. "Even before the ball comes. Know your options before you take your first touch. Saves energy, too."
Behind them, Rashford pulled off a flashy stepover and completely missed the ball, prompting laughter all around.
"Careful, Marcus!" Son shouted, grinning. "The ball's not ready for that level of swagger yet."
Even Aguero cracked a smile from the sidelines as Rashford mock-bowed in apology.
As the drills intensified into five-a-side games, the younger players' enthusiasm started to show in less ideal ways. Mbappé and Rashford were constantly pressing, chasing every ball like bloodhounds. Ruben Dias was barking instructions like a captain-in-waiting, while Theo flew up and down the touchline.
After the game, as they walked to the hydration station, Adriano caught them all together.
"You lot are machines," he said, tossing Rashford a water bottle. "But you're gonna collapse if you keep sprinting like that every session."
"We just want to impress," Ruben admitted, still catching his breath.
"And you are," Adriano replied. "But this isn't a one-off. It's a season. Save some legs for the games. You don't have to kill training to prove you belong. Just be sharp, be smart."
Mbappé nodded, towel draped over his shoulders. "Makes sense."
Adriano grinned. "I learned it the hard way. Pulled a hamstring trying to chase Kompany once."
Ruben raised an eyebrow. "You chased Kompany?"
"Don't ask," Adriano muttered, and everyone burst out laughing.
Even the older players started joining in on the teasing. Yaya came over, holding his water bottle like a microphone. "Breaking news: Adriano confirms Kompany is faster than him."
"Only when I've got a pulled hamstring," Adriano fired back.
De Bruyne shook his head. "This is gonna be a long season…"
The session ended with a cooldown jog and stretches near the goalposts. The team gathered in small groups, tossing jokes, laughing freely. Pellegrini walked among them, quietly observing, occasionally nodding.
Adriano looked around at the mix—veterans relaxing with ease, new players bonding fast, and youngsters slowly finding their voice. The energy was good. Balanced. Competitive but warm.
As they wrapped up and began heading toward the tunnel, Robertson slapped Adriano on the back. "Still the boss of the midfield, eh?"
"For now," Adriano smirked. "Let's see if you can even get past Trent this week."
Robertson rolled his eyes. "You and your golden boy."
Adriano just winked and jogged ahead, towel slung around his neck. The first day was done, but the real work was just beginning.
****
By mid-afternoon, the sun over Manchester dimmed into a pale orange glow, but the storm was just beginning online.
It started with a simple post from Manchester City's official account.
🔵 Ready for Battle. 🔥 Here's your 2015/16 Squad.
Attached was a clean graphic: all the players, standing shoulder to shoulder, kits crisp, expressions focused. The caption read:
Have faith in the plan.
Within minutes, the replies exploded.
@BlueBloodKevin:
"This squad is insane. Like. What are we even worried about? Adriano. De Bruyne. Aguero. Hazard. Siva. And Yaya's still here. Man's still gonna run over midfielders like bowling pins."
@AngryCityFan24:
"We didn't sign a single world-class defender unless you count VVD—and even he's not proven at this level yet. Where's the ambition? Where's the marquee signing? We're defending the Champions League, not the bloody League Cup."
@YNWALurker:
"Can't lie, this squad's a FIFA regen lineup. Youth FC."
@RashfordHive:
"City really said 'no more signings' and promoted the entire U18s 😂 Donnarumma still looks like he needs a chaperone."
@MCFC_GloryEra:
"Nah but seriously—this is the cleanest rebuild I've ever seen. You don't see it now, but we're gonna dominate Europe for years. Just wait."
Screenshots of the squad graphic were reposted everywhere. Twitter. Reddit. Discords. Instagram stories. Everyone had an opinion.
Some were hopeful, clinging to trust in the system Pellegrini had built.
Others? Not so sure.
The lack of headline-grabbing transfers confused many. Clubs around them had gone all out—Madrid signing two more Galácticos, Chelsea grabbing depth in every position, United making noise with big-money moves.
And City?
City had signed Son Heung-Min and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Neither were household names yet. Son had impressed in Germany, yes, but he wasn't exactly the signing to sell a million shirts. Trent had barely broken into Liverpool's first team before City snapped him up. Most fans didn't even know how to spell his name yet.
And then there were the rest: Van Dijk and Dybala, good performances on loan at Málaga, but still raw. Ruben Dias? Theo Hernandez? Alexis Mac Allister? Marcus Rashford?
Talented, yes. Proven? Not yet.
Even among the faithful, some nerves showed.
@BlueMoonMatty:
"I love what the club's building. Long-term vision. But can we please talk about depth? One injury and we're asking 18-year-olds to stop Messi."
@KDBN18:
"Let the kids play. You saw what Van Djik did at Málaga. Beast. And Dybala? Cold."
@SonShines:
"Son is gonna surprise you all. Watch. This guy's got the composure, the intelligence. He doesn't need to be flashy. He just works."
One thread on Reddit gained traction quickly. Titled:
"Can this team really defend both titles?"
It had hundreds of comments by the hour.
[Top Comment by @ValiantSkies]
"Here's what I think. We can. But we're walking a tightrope. If the youth click—Dias, Mbappe, Rashford, Dybala, Theo—it's game over for everyone. But if they freeze under pressure, it's gonna be long. Injuries would be the key factor. If Adriano is out for a few weeks, things can get messy."
[@MCFCNoCap]
"No other team has Adriano. He makes the system tick. When he plays, everyone plays better. Just give him a clean bill of health and watch."
[@OverthinkingPep]
"Pellegrini's biggest challenge isn't tactics—it's minutes. Keeping everyone happy. Getting the right balance between experience and youth. We can't burn out the vets by December."
Even the international pages picked it up. Sky Italia ran a segment titled "I Giovani del City: Gen Z Revolution", showing highlights of Dybala and Van Djik from their Málaga season.
ESPN Brazil discussed Adriano's leadership in managing a young squad.
French outlets focused on Mbappé's promotion.
Korean media celebrated Son's arrival at a club with Champions League ambitions.
But it wasn't just media chatter.
The fans were truly torn between excitement and anxiety. They loved the homegrown core. They loved the idea of building, not buying. But would it be enough?
In one particularly viral tweet, a user wrote:
"This season is either the beginning of an empire… or the longest group therapy session in Premier League history."
It was re-tweeted by thousands.
Still, hope—quiet, steady hope had began to rise.
There were compilation clips going around: Adriano threading impossible passes, Dybala dancing past defenders, Van Dijk dominating headers, Mbappé scoring on the break at the U19s, Donnarumma saving penalties like a man twice his age.
Someone posted a simple tribute:
"We don't need new stars. We raise our own."
That one got reposted by the official City account.
Meanwhile, in a café not far from the Etihad, a group of local fans sat watching replays of last season's title-winning moments on a small TV above the bar.
"Look at that pass from De Bruyne to Kane in the final," one of them said, pointing at the screen. "Who else does that?"
"Mate, we've still got Silva, Yaya, Casemiro," another added. "That midfield can handle any pressure. You think these kids will panic with those lads behind them?"
A third guy, younger, wearing the new season's jersey, sipped his soda and shrugged. "It's a risk. But we've never been about the easy route. I say let's ride."
Whatever doubts lingered, one thing became clear: the fans were locked in.
Some out of blind faith.
Some out of cautious optimism.
Some simply because they loved this team, no matter what.
The road ahead wouldn't be smooth. Injuries would come. Setbacks would sting. The media would question, and the pressure would mount.
But for now, they were united behind one squad. One badge. One mission.
Manchester City, 2015–16.
Let the games begin.
****
[Sky Sports – Premier League Countdown Live]
Host (Kelly Cates):
"Welcome back to Premier League Countdown! With the season just days away, we're diving into the top storylines—can Manchester City defend their crown? And can Adriano possibly repeat that insane season? Sixty-seven goals, forty-one assists… Is it even human? With me are Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, and Roy Keane. Let's get stuck in. Jamie—start us off. Is this City's title to lose?"
Jamie Carragher:
"Look, on paper—absolutely. No question. City have the best squad in England. Probably the best in Europe. You've got KDB, Silva, Salah, Mbappe, Kane, Adriano... I mean, come on. They're cheating, mate!" [laughs] "But football's not played on paper. The pressure to repeat what they did last season is massive. And everyone's studied them. If they start slow, suddenly Liverpool, Arsenal, even United could sniff blood."
Micah Richards:
"Mate! I'm sorry, but if Adriano's fit and firing, no one touches them. The kid's a joke. I was in training last week, just watching him. One-touch, spin, goal. Left foot, right foot, header, volley—he's unreal. I think he beats last season."
Roy Keane:
"Let's calm down. He's had one proper season. A brilliant one, yes. But let's see if he can handle it when teams start targeting him. Kicking him. Doubling up. Does he have the mentality to dig in when he's not scoring every week? That's what I want to see."
[BBC Match of the Day – Season Preview Special]
Gary Lineker:
"Alan, you've seen world-class forwards come and go. What makes Adriano different?"
Alan Shearer:
"The numbers, Gary. 67 goals in a single campaign? It's absurd. I scored 34 once and thought I was on fire. But what I like most isn't just the goals—it's how he creates space for others. He's unselfish. He could've gone for 80 goals if he was greedy. But he racks up assists like a number ten."
Ian Wright:
"He's got that Ronaldo + Bergkamp + Henry blend. But here's my question—how long until teams start building their entire defensive plan around him? Double pivot, low block, triple man-marking. If he doesn't adapt quickly, the numbers will drop."
Gary Lineker:
"But even then, don't City just have too much depth to be contained?"
Ian Wright:
"True. Mbappe on the left, Salah on the right, Kane rotating in. Even if Adriano dips, someone else picks up the slack. That's the nightmare."
[TalkSPORT – The Game Room]
Host (Adrian Durham):
"Right, lads. I want bold takes. Adriano—will he surpass 67 goals this season or not?"
Jason Cundy:
"No. No chance. I'm sorry, it's just not sustainable. Teams are going to park the bus like never before. The bloke's going to get frustrated. He'll still score a ton—40, 50, maybe—but 67? It's video game numbers. Not happening."
Andy Goldstein:
"I'm going to say yes. He'll go past it. Know why? Because City aren't easing off. Pellegrini's doubling down. I've heard they're gunning for the quadruple this season. And Adriano's minutes are being managed perfectly. He's fresh. He's hungry. The hunger's key."
[ESPN FC]
Craig Burley:
"City's the team to beat. Simple as that. And Adriano? Best player in the world right now. By some distance. The only question is: can he stay healthy?"
Shaka Hislop:
"And what happens if someone like Casemiro or Van Dijk takes him out early? No disrespect, but defenders aren't going to play nice this time. He's been embarrassing people. There'll be hard tackles. There'll be elbows. You can count on that."
Nedum Onuoha:
"But he's smart too, Shaka. You don't see him taking many reckless touches. His positioning's too sharp. Plus, City's medical team is second to none. I think he's got another 60+ goal season in him."
[Premier League FanZone – Live Calls Segment]
Caller 1 (Jake from Manchester):
"Adriano's gonna break every record this year. Ballon d'Or is a lock. If anyone stops him, it'll be himself. No team in the Prem can contain him—not with that midfield behind him!"
Caller 2 (Sophie from London):
"He's phenomenal, but people forget this is the Premier League. You get no easy goals here. I think he scores 40 max. That's still world-class, but let's be realistic."
[TNT Sports – Premier League Table Predictions Panel]
Panel Host (Laura Woods):
"All right, it's time to put your necks on the line. Top four predictions, starting with Rio."
Rio Ferdinand:
"City to win the league. No one else has that firepower. Arsenal second, United third, Liverpool fourth."
Joe Cole:
"I'll say the same. And I think Adriano hits 70 goals across all competitions. I'm calling it now."
Owen Hargreaves:
"I'm with Joe. People thought last season was a fluke. It wasn't. He's just getting started."
[Closing Segment – Sky Sports News Live Desk]
Anchor (David Jones):
"Well, that wraps up our preview show. The biggest story? Can Adriano do it again. One of the greatest career starts in football history—can lightning strike thrice? Some say yes, some say no, but either way… we're in for one hell of a season."
****
[Sky Sports Debate – August 2015 | Premier League Season Preview]
Host (Jeff Stelling):
"Right then, gentlemen. The 2015–16 Premier League season is upon us, and it's shaping up to be an absolute belter. We've got fresh signings, new managers, and of course—Adriano Riveiro. Sixty-seven goals. Forty-one assists. The boy was a phenomenon last season. But let's get into it. Can he do it again? And how do the other teams stack up? Let's start with Manchester City."
Manchester CityJamie Redknapp:
"City are frightening. Pellegrini has got depth. Adriano, KDB, Silva—you're talking about some of the best technical players in Europe, all in one squad. And what I like is that he's finally giving the younger players like Kimmich and Donnarumma real minutes. The big question is: can Adriano replicate last season? I say yes. His movement, awareness, and that understanding with Silva—it's telepathic."
Graeme Souness:
"I'll be honest—he'll still be top class, no question, but surpassing those numbers? I'm not so sure. Teams have been studying him. You think Mourinho hasn't got a binder full of notes just on Adriano? That level of output… that's historic. But he'll be targeted more now. He won't have the same freedom."
Paul Merson:
"But who do you even mark? You go for Adriano, and De Bruyne finds space. You close KDB down, and Hazard's running at you. And don't forget, they've got Harry Kane and Aguero on the same team sheet! That's mad. I reckon they're title favourites, no doubt."
Jeff Stelling:
"Let's not forget: City ended last season with a double. They've got momentum."
ChelseaMatt Le Tissier:
"Chelsea are still Mourinho's machine. Last season wasn't a failure by any stretch—just overshadowed by Adriano's madness. Hazard looks sharp in pre-season. Fabregas is ticking again. But they've got to sort out that back line. Ivanović looked leggy last spring, and Terry isn't getting any younger."
Chris Kamara:
"Still, it's Mourinho. He's got that siege mentality going again. They'll be tighter, nastier, more compact. If they stay injury-free, and Costa keeps his temper, they'll be right in the mix. But they'll need someone to match Adriano's numbers. Hazard alone can't carry that load."
Manchester UnitedPhil Neville:
"I think we're forgetting something here—United under Van Gaal have structure. People moaned about the style last season, but they finished strong. They've brought in Depay, Schweinsteiger, and Darmian. And Martial—massive talent. If Rooney finds form and Depay clicks, they'll surprise a lot of people."
Jamie Redknapp:
"Adriano ripped them apart at the Etihad last year. Twice. Until United learn to cope with pace and direct play, they'll always struggle against elite sides. But I do think they'll be more dangerous this season."
ArsenalPaul Merson:
"My old club are in a weird spot. Ozil's looking class, and Alexis is always a threat. But same old issues. No proper spine. No Vieira, no Adams. Coquelin's good, but he's not going to bully a midfield with Yaya and Casemiro. I worry they'll get passed over in big matches."
Graeme Souness:
"I agree. And unless Giroud turns into Thierry Henry overnight, they don't have the firepower. Wenger needs to gamble in the January window if they're still in the race by Christmas."
LiverpoolChris Kamara:
"It's a rebuild again, isn't it? Benteke comes in, Firmino's still adapting, and they've lost Gerrard. I just don't see the chemistry yet. It's too patchy. Defensively, they're always vulnerable. Adriano had a field day last time at Anfield. I don't see that changing."
Matt Le Tissier:
"Mid-table finish if they're not careful. They're not strong enough in the middle, and Coutinho can't do it all himself. I think they're going to miss Raheem Sterling more than they admit."
TottenhamPhil Neville:
"Kane's development is the one bright spot, but there's a gap in quality. You see the way City attack—fluid, devastating. Spurs aren't there yet. They've got youth, but that can only take you so far."
Jamie Redknapp:
"And when they faced City, they got battered. Adriano took Dier and Vertonghen to school. If Spurs are gonna push for top four, they'll need Eriksen to be world-class every week."
Dark Horses – Everton & SouthamptonGraeme Souness:
"I like Koeman's Southampton. Disciplined, good recruitment. But they're not title contenders. Same with Everton—Martínez has good ideas, but I don't see them breaking into the top four. They don't have an Adriano. Nobody does."
Chris Kamara:
"Romelu Lukaku can turn a match, sure, but they don't have the service. Against top sides, they get starved. City can throw De Bruyne, Hazard, Dybala, and Adriano at you in the same wave. That's impossible to defend."
Adriano: Can He Repeat It?Paul Merson:
"He's the best player in the league by miles. But football's funny. If he gets kicked all year—because let's face it, refs don't always protect flair players—his numbers might dip. But even at 80%, he's better than anyone."
Jamie Redknapp:
"He's a phenomenon. I think he will break his own record. Just the way he's built—power, vision, pace. He's 19 and plays like he's been around for a decade. The scary part is—he's only getting better."
Graeme Souness:
"Everyone has a second-season dip, though. That's the true test. They know his runs now. They'll double-team him, sit deeper, play rough. Let's see if he still finds the space."
Jeff Stelling:
"So what's the verdict, lads? City to retain the title?"
All (overlapping):
"Yes."
"Definitely."
"Too strong."
"Unless injuries hit."
Jeff Stelling (smiling):
"There you have it. Manchester City—title favourites. Adriano—marked man. But if last season taught us anything... it's never smart to bet against a kid who breaks every record in the book. We'll be watching."