Manchester City are looking to defend their Premier League title once again this season in winning it for the fifth time in a row - already holding the record at four.
There is, however, uncertainty hanging over the heads of a number of senior figures at the club, with Pep Guardiola's future unclear and star man Rodri's current workload unsustainable.
There is also the matter of a day in court with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules to contend with, meaning uncertainty - the theme of City right now - is rife on that front too.
But on the pitch it could, overall, be rosy, with Guardiola's dominant side again looking to show the world they are the force to be reckoned with, despite the doubts and questions that surround them right now.
Here, Mail Sport's JACK GAUGHAN provides all the answers.
Mail Sport's JACK GAUGHAN answers five key questions on Man City ahead of the new season
There is plenty of uncertainty at City, involving some key figures and the future of the club
When will Guardiola announce his future?
It'll be the most salient topic of conversation (regarding footballing matters, at least) until Pep Guardiola reaches a firm decision on his contractual situation. With less than 12 months left to run on his deal, this is looking like becoming the most important spell of City's recent history.
Mail Sport reported in May that sources inside and outside the club expect Guardiola to bid farewell after nine illustrious years at the helm, although he is prone to impulsive and emotional decision-making. When news, staying or going, is communicated could have a huge bearing on the campaign and you only have to look at Jurgen Klopp's final months as proof.
Forget Pep, what does the future of the club look like?
City's day in court with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is looming large and set to be heard in the autumn. Whichever way that case goes, the ramifications are massive for both City and their rivals.
The worst-case scenario for the champions is relegation from the top flight, with points deductions another potential penalty.
Should City prevail and prove innocence, serious questions will be asked of the league's executive board. Should City lose, it'd cast a dark shadow over their achievements across the last decade.
Interestingly, and possibly a pointer towards City's mindset, they are pressing ahead with a £300million expansion of the Etihad Stadium and surrounding complex – due to start before Christmas.
The club are booked in for a day in court with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, now has less than 12 months left to run on his contract with City
What to do about Rodri?
There were two occasions last season when Rodri mentioned, unprompted, that he was playing too many games – and his run to the European Championship final hardly helped in that regard.
Although he's had a decent period of time off, and arrived back after the Community Shield (though won't play in the season opener against Chelsea on Sunday), that the midfielder is averaging around 5,500 minutes per season for club and country is unsustainable.
A fresh Rodri is essential if City are to challenge for everything, so Guardiola will need to find ways of affording him rest.
Rico Lewis is talking up operating in midfield, while Mateo Kovacic can play in there – although is more suited in a two-man, rather than on his own. And Bernardo Silva, who started wide right for much of last term, is one who might find himself more central now.
Star man Rodri's current workload is unsustainable, and he must at time be afforded a rest
Is there balance on the wings?
Jeremy Doku was purchased as a right winger last summer but soon reverted to the left and largely stayed over there, battling with an out-of-sorts Jack Grealish. Options were in shorter supply on the right – in hindsight, a spot Cole Palmer could've made his own – but the arrival of Savinho and emergence of Oscar Bobb has changed that outlook now.
Bobb's performances on the tour of America were consistently eye-catching, while Savinho's season with Girona make him a tantalising prospect. It would have represented direct competition on both flanks - until Bobb's injury - and freed up the likes of Silva and Phil Foden to potentially focus solely on central areas.
Oscar Bobb had looked to push for a first team place but will now face months on the sidelines
Will land of the giants return?
The hallmark of City's run to the Treble in 2023 was John Stones moving into midfield and a back four solely of centre halves. Unlike the perception of a Guardiola team, they presented a tall, imposing unit.
That stopped last year, owing to Stones' injury problems and captain Kyle Walking regaining his place at right back as Guardiola tweaked things tactically.
But with a full compliment of central defenders – Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol – for the first time in a long time, Guardiola has the option to go back to something that created even more overloads than normal.