It is already clear that Manchester City will have a busy summer and that a hectic January was simply a precursor to a more thorough overhaul in the next transfer window.
The four new arrivals mid-season have added freshness to the City squad and might help them finish with a flourish, perhaps with the FA Cup or hauling in Arsenal for second in the Premier League.
Any kind of success between now and the end of May is unlikely to alter the thinking of Pep Guardiola and the football leadership at the Etihad. Departures are likely, and some glittering City careers are coming to an end. Kevin De Bruyne may well top that particular bill.
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Guardiola is also keen to add a bit more depth to his squad. That was partly achieved in January, but as well as strengthening the starting XI this summer, he will want to ensure a season isn't derailed in the future by an injury crisis. As much as he likes to operate with a smaller squad, he has learnt this season that the demands of the modern schedule make that too much of a risk.
But since January we have started to see a more youthful City emerge, and there is a solid basis to work from when building a team that could go into battle on day one of the next Premier League season. Guardiola might already have eight starters pencilled in.
The impact of 20-year-old centre-back Abdokodir Khusanov suggests he is ready to become Ruben Dias' regular partner at the back. John Stones' injury-hit season is costing him his place for certain games. At left-back, Josko Gvardiol looks secure.
Nico Gonzalez has impressed since his £50million deadline day move from Porto, and with Mateo Kovacic behind him at Tottenham on Wednesday, he got forward a little more as well. We might see the best of the 23-year-old Spaniard when he forms a midfield partnership with compatriot Rodri, and there is already a feeling they could be a dream combination.
This has been a difficult season for many City players, but Jeremy Doku has had his moments on the left and the 22-year-old might emerge stronger for the experience. He has six goals and seven assists from 25 appearances, having managed seven and eight respectively last season from 45 games. He could beat those tallies.
On the right, Savinho has shown flashes of quality during his first season at the Etihad, and he remains a young prospect at 20. There is also excitement at seeing the return of Oscar Bobb. He is back in training albeit struggling to get fully fit, but an electric pre-season suggested he could be a real threat on the wing.
There is certainly no question over who leads the line. City missed Erling Haaland against Real Madrid and Liverpool, and it didn't take him long to strike against Spurs. They are a considerably better side when he is in the team.
There are others not mentioned who will feel they can push to start. Stones and Manuel Akanji at the back, Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush in attacking areas, but there might be three places where Guardiola is keen to strengthen.
The first is in goal. Ederson hasn't had his best season, and having close to leaving last summer, it's possible the 31-year-old will move on this time around. Stefan Ortega hasn't had the kind of campaign that has suggested he will inherit the gloves if the Brazilian does depart.
A new right-back will absolutely be a priority. Kyle Walker could return if AC Milan don't take up the option to sign him, but his days at the Etihad look to be drawing to a conclusion. Rico Lewis has had a difficult season and wants his own future to lie in midfield.
Matheus Nunes has been pressed into action as an emergency right-back at times but it is clear that they need an upgrade and a young player who can make that spot in the team his own.
Then there is that attacking midfield position, the role De Bruyne has made his own for so long. This should probably have been the year that Foden completed his own ascension to the throne, taking on the mantle of the team's creative fulcrum, but he hasn't kicked on from his outstanding 2023/24 campaign.
Marmoush has started well and has played in that role, but Guardiola probably won't want the Egyptian to play every week, especially if he will stand in for Haaland in certain games.
City have been linked with the brilliant Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and on paper, there is an awful lot to like about a midfield of Rodri, Gonzalez and Wirtz. However, the 21-year-old German will be in demand if he departs Bayer Leverkusen.
Goalkeeper, right-back, and attacking midfield are probably the three areas Guardiola will be looking at for starters this summer. The January business was a good start to transforming this team, but there is still more to be done.
