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

Five in for Neymar

Sorry, we've been a little MIA lately. But we're back and our comeback post belongs to the hottest Brazilian property according to Europe. Brazilian giants Santos have confirmed that five, yes FIVE clubs have agreed to pay the 19-year old's release clause of a whooping €45 million. The five clubs apparently interested in the Santos ace are- Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City (No surprises) and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala (Whooo?!) According to Santos' President, Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro claims that all clubs' approach was ethical this time, unlike Chelsea's last year who contacted the player's representatives before having any talks with the club. All clubs will be allowed to agree terms with Neymar.


Verdict: Barcelona want a striker (not that they need one), Chelsea need a long-term partner for  Torres. Madrid and City want, well, everyone. And Anzhi Makhachkala, obviously need someone to make them famous. :P Barcelona should concentrate on Fabregas as their top summer target. Chelsea will be the front-runners


He may be brilliant, he may be young but he's not a proven European player yet, so don't pay too much for him.