Premier League Preview: Manchester City

There are some cups money can't buy. For everything else, there's Etihad.

Overview

Manchester City has come a long way, from being relegated in season 2000/2001 to being third in the table after ten years. All thanks to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his bank balance. City has had a lot of ups and downs but has finally stabilized under manager Roberto Mancini. The previous season was the best season City have had in decades and it saw the end of their trophy drought with the FA Cup win and Champions League qualification. Last season saw heavy spending for the Abu Dhabi owners who bought players like Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov, Mario Balotelli, James Milner and Edin Dzeko. All of these signings have proven useful, except for Boateng, and the players have fit in well and have finally started playing like a team. I would just like to take a moment and appreciate, as they are extremely under appreciated, Manchester City for winning the FA Cup and coming third, that too on goal difference, as you can't expect much out of a team instantly.

Season 2010/2011

Attack: City had an impressive attack and finished as the team with the 4th best attacking display 1.58 goals per game. They also won the most number of penalties in the season.

Defense: A shocking fact, Manchester City had the best defense in the Premier League. Beating the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea with only 0.87 goals conceded per game.

Transfers

In: Gael Clichy (Arsenal, Undisclosed), Stefan Savic (Partizan, Undisclosed), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Undisclosed), Costel Pantilimon (Poli Timisoara, Undisclosed)
Out: Felipe Caicedo (Levante, €1m), Patrick Vieira (Retired), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich, Undisclosed), Shay Given (Aston Villa, Undisclosed), Jo (Internaacional, Undisclosed)

Verdict

Manchester City are truly going to miss Carlos Tevez (if he leaves) than he is going to miss them, but buying Sergio Aguero is almost a perfect move for the Citizens. Selling Boateng and replacing him with experienced Arsenal full-back, Gael Clichy, was a good move. The club is playing more like a team than just good individual players playing on their own and captain Vincent Kompany has been hardworking as ever pepping the team on in every game. They have a world class goalkeeper, a great defense and bunch of good strikers/wingers. All they lack is a little bit of creativity in the midfield. David Silva does a damn good job at that but without him City struggle. Adam Johnson has not been given enough playing time and the supply from the wings isn't good enough. Best bet for the club would be to buy just one creative and strong central midfielders who can create those chances for powerhouse Tevez or Maradona's son-in-law Aguero. Best of luck from our side to uhhh, the other team in Manchester.

Position 2010/2011: 3rd
Prediction for 2011/2012: 2nd or 3rd
Men to Watch: Adam Johnson, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure

Premier League Preview: Aston Villa

With a new Gaffer, a new keeper between the sticks and a star winger in Charles N'Zogbia, Villa are arguably the most transformed side from last season, even more so after losing the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Nigel Reo Cooker and John Carew, probably their four most influential players. 

It'll be interesting to see how Alex McLeish manages the Villans after taking the bold decision of 'betraying' Villa's bitter derby rivals Birmingham. McLeish had a roller-coaster season with Birmingham where his side won the Carling Cup and then got relegated on the last day of the Premier League. 

Season 2010-2011
Attack- Villa ranked 13th in terms of goals scored in the Premier League averaging 1.26 goals per game. They failed to score in 24% of their games, which is quite poor. 

Defence- Aston Villa were the 8th best defence at home, keeping 37% clean sheets. But it seems like they lost their defensive organisation away from Villa Park as they failed to keep EVEN ONE clean sheet in their away games, making them the 4th worst defence away from home.

Transfers:

Players in: Shay Given (Manchester City, £3.5m), Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan, £9.5m)

Players out: Ashley Young (Manchester United, £20m), Stewart Downing (Liverpool, £20m), Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton, free), John Carew, Moustapha Salifou, Robert Pires, Isaiah Osbourne, Harry Forrester, Arsenio Halfhuid, Durrell Berry, Ellis Deeney, Calum Flanagan (all released), Brad Friedel (Tottenham, undisclosed).

2010-2011 position: 9th

Football Finesse prediction: 7th, 8th

Men to watch: Charles N'Zogbia, Stephen Ireland, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Marc Albrighton.

Premier League Preview: Arsenal FC

Victim to probably the longest and the most annoying transfer sagas of all time, the Gunners embark upon this season on a low. With skipper Fabregas and winger Nasri longing to leave the Emirates, Arsenal are on the verge of losing their fire power. It's been 6 years, 2 months and 13 days since they last won a trophy.
(Check this out: http://www.sincearsenallastwonatrophy.co.uk/, ftw)

Having lost an integral part of their already weak defence in Gael Clichy to Manchester City, they need serious reinforcements at the back, Jenkison won't be enough. The midfield looks sorted if they don't lose Cesc and Nasri and the addition of Gervinho surely is one of the few positives they have going into the season and a big boost to their striking options.

Verdict: Let the want-aways leave, use the money to make a couple of good signings and start afresh. SPEND, for god's sake.The current squad isn't good enough. Strengthen the defense, stabilize the midfield, play two up-front. Don't let van Persie go for Holland's friendlies unless you want him injured. Follow-up the good starts to the season, make the 'beautiful' football count. Keep the players fit for big games. Make Gervinho and Robin play up-front, together.


Transfers: 
Players in: Gervinho (Lille, £11m), Jon Toral, Hector Bellerin (Both Barcelona, undisclosed), Carl Jenkinson (Charlton, undisclosed)
Players out: Gael Clichy (Manchester City, £7m), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Ipswich, £1.1m), Mark Randall (Chesterfield, free), Roarie Deacon (Sunderland, free), Denilson (Sao Paulo, loan), James Shea (Dagenham, loan), Thomas Cruise (released)

2010-2011 position: 4th

Pre-Season:  Won   4-0 vs Malaysia XI
                      Drew  1-1 vs Hangzhou Greentown
                      Won   2-1 vs FC Cologne
                      Drew  2-2 vs Boca Juniors
                      Drew  1-1 vs NY Red Bulls

Football Finesse Prediction: 4th, 5th.
Men to watch : Jack Wilshere, Gervinho, Aaron Ramsey