Richard Dunne believes desire will be the key ingredient in Manchester City's quest to retain our Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions are currently second in the table, lying just four points behind leaders Liverpool with 16 games of the campaign still remaining.

It promises to be a compelling finale to what has already been a gripping season with the Blues seeking to secure a fourth Premier League title.

In doing so we would become the first English side to retain the title since Manchester United back in 2009.

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City, of course, are currently vying for glory on four fronts, having already reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the fourth round of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League.

But as regards the league, former central defensive colossus Dunne says desire and focus will be the vital ingredients for the Blues between now and May.

“I think it’s going to be really close this year,” said Dunne, – who won City’s Player of the Year award for a record four-consecutive years between 2005-08 and made more than 350 appearances for the Club.

“I think the big thing for City is that they need to try and retain that thunder to win it, like it’s the first championship they’ve ever won.

“Sometimes I feel when we win the league that things drop off a percent or two and City need to be aware of that and make sure that they’re not fully focused on winning the Champions League.

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“The fans here and everyone wants to win the Premier League and try and get the number of trophies up.

“Liverpool has been getting closer over the last five or six years, so they probably feel that this is a great opportunity for them.

 “I think it will be an exciting second half of the season for sure.”