A team that won 4 years in a row, and then finished third, can't be "that" bad, they should be fighting for a title again. Sure last year they finished 13 points behind the winner, and that is terrible, but imagine them having normal results during that November-December period they sucked so bad, outside of that, they were averaging as much as Liverpool, they just had one big bad period, and 4 wins during that period wouldn't be that unlikely normally.
I feel as if they could avoid having a period like that, and if they do, then they are going to be battling for a top spot again. Not like every year they could have 2 months where they lose or tie all the time, that was last year and one time, this year they won't have that.
No matter how poor Man City performance during that period, they remain a team capable of quickly rebounding. Proving that they can consistently finish in third place doesn't make them look down upon. Next season Liverpool, Man City, and Arsenal must make the league more exciting than ever after actively adding new players to the squad.
Anyone looking down on pep guardiolas Manchester city because they were terrible last season doesn't really understands football, because as long as football is concerned, no team managed by pep guardiola that will struggle more than a season and he would not fix their short comings. Just look at this Manchester city side since January transfer window, they are practically back to their very best, and if you look at their performance in the club world cup you will know that they are back to the Manchester city we all know, just that they were just unlucky against Al hilal in their round of 16 contest that got them eliminated, so in essence of what am trying to say is that Manchester city will be up there competing for the league title with other top teams next season.