I know we have a thread to keep tabs on rivals but I think for our main title challengers a more in depth look at them would be worthwhile. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Squad No. Position Player 1 GK Joe Hart 2 DF Micah Richards 3 DF Maicon 4 DF Vincent Kompany (captain) 5 DF Pablo Zabaleta (vice-captain) 6 DF Joleon Lescott 7 MF James Milner 8 MF Samir Nasri 10 FW Edin Džeko 11 MF Scott Sinclair 13 DF Aleksandar Kolarov 14 MF Javi GarcÃa 15 MF Jesús Navas 16 FW Sergio Agüero 17 MF Jack Rodwell 18 MF Gareth Barry 21 MF David Silva 22 DF Gaël Clichy 25 MF Fernandinho 29 GK Richard Wright 30 GK Costel Pantilimon 33 DF Matija Nastasić 42 MF Yaya Touré 60 FW John Guidetti 62 MF Abdul Razak City have a large squad filled with several talented players. I have highlighted who I consider their best and/or most influential players. I expect to see the likes of Toure and Silva to improve this season as both were below par during the last. I am not impressed by any of their signings as yet but I expect more to arrive in the coming weeks. They are strongest in midfield with good options between the midfield and attack. Losing Tevez has weakened them up top but someone will be brought in to replace him. I think losing someone with the attitude of Tevez will help boost moral as it cannot of gone down well that he received preferential treatment. Dzeko should remain an option from the bench. Hes one of their only game changers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ins & Outs Roberto Mancini (Out) After securing City's first silverware in decades it didn't take long for City to get rid. He didn't have an awful season last season ( Europe aside ) but he took City backwards. He was often undermined and given unfair stick but more often than not he didn't help matters, constantly changing his opinion and his poor attempts at mind games. All in all City made the right choice for them. Mancini wasn't going to take them further than he already had and a change will benefit everyone at the club. Manuel Pellegrini (In) As I have stated I know very little about Pellegrini. Hes managed a number of Spanish sides including Real Madrid and Villarreal. Someone with better knowledge can tell me what he will bring to City and I will edit it in here. Carlos Tevez - (Out) Regardless of the cost, the goals, the contribution to their title in 2012 getting shut of Tevez i one of the best decisions the club have made. He brought very little and the good he did bring was massively over shadowed by the controversy he carried around with him. I image most of the players will be very happy hes gone as well. On the flip side, Juventus have got a great signing. hes also about 90miles closer to Argentina so no doubt he will be thrilled. Fernandinho - (In) Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for £34million. Doesn't strike me as a £34million player but when you have the money City do then it doesn't matter. For me they have signed a player for his name rather than his actual ability. Not question the quality of Fernandinho but for the price they could of done better surely. Anyway from what I know hes a midfielder who bags a few goals and assists. Big and strong player who likes to break up play. Jesus Navas - (In) A winger, something City actually need. Signed for a decent price as well but off the back of a poor season they could of probably got him a little cheaper. Without knowing how Pellegrini plays he may end up becoming an attacking midfielder or false winger as City have a few of those already. He's unlikely to bring goals to the side but should offer width if played in his favourite role. ------------------------------------------------------------ Overview Last season City were poor, they never really looked in the title race and issues behind the scenes left many United fans laughing at them. A new manager with fresh ideas will increase moral and expectations so I expect them to offer a much better challenge this season. One thing that will go in United's favour though is the fact City will have to address their lack of ability in europe. So if they concentrate on getting out of their group for the first time ever the league may get neglected. Its difficult to balance league and europe as we have seen. Only one manager in Premier league history has been able to do it. The signings of Navas and Fernaninho will give them more options but another striker is needed as a central defender. Kompany is miles ahead of the rest. Prediction 3rd in the League & Champions League last 16
Fernandinho is a box to box midfielder rather than someone to break up the play,have high hopes for him,looked real quality when shaktar played Chelsea Navas is a signing we desperately needed,brings some pace into a an at times rather slow ponderous side. Hopefully we can revitalise Dzeko and finally give him the ball not with his back to goal Main point you've probably missed is the formation change which is going to be 4-3-3 throughout all age groups presumably to aid fluidity from age groups as the new academy takes shape,alas a work in progress now after Hughes disastrous meddling which set the club back quite a way In that respect we probably don't need any more signings desperately as Aguero Dzeko & Guidetti will be sufficient enough in a rotational system. Hart is the only one without any significant challenge to his place Hart Zabaleta Richards Kompany Nastasic Lescott Clichy (Zabaleta can play right or left back) Milner Garcia barry fernandinho Rodwell yaya Nasri Aguero silva Navas Dzeko Guidetti Main problem last season,and to a degree the season before where we won the league I believe in spite of Mancini rather than because of him,was the sheer lack of motivation running throughout the side. Mancinis disastrous manmanagement and lack of tactical nous are the 2 areas I expect Pelllegrini to really improve the team in and I expect a far greater challenge to Utd than the pathetic title defence from last season Interesting times in Manchester these days though
Serious question here and not taking the mickey. Navas not so long ago used to get anxiety attacks leaving Seville when on Spain duty. Never played anywhere but his home town club. Now, how you reckon he'll cope with living in Manchester? Cliche aside, I'm from Manchester and I've been to Seville. There's a difference. I think he'll struggle to settle.
City are opting for short term solutions .. a 27 & 28 years old players for a club that will face big problems to meet FFP , i honestly though they will opt for more younger players and take out some big old earners .. possibly owner thinking ok, let us win some trophies before i reach end of the road bcz of FFP and leave
if some people here have an allergy to the subject of FFP, there are lots of others subjects here to discuss if you are not interested
"Milner Garcia barry fernandinho Rodwell yaya " Midfield looks pretty weak tbh, Yaya had a poor season and looked like he couldn't be arsed at times, Fernandinho is unproven in the league, Rodwell barely played in years and hasn't shown he can step up yet, Barry and Milner are 'ok' but not going to trouble European teams, Garcia hasn't really established himself either. Not exactly going to set Europe alight with those six to pick from. Tevez gone and he was one of the few in the squad who had some actual fight in him, he'll be tough to replace. I think Navas is a great signing though, but can't see City pushing for first/second. I think it'll be Chelsea for the title unless Moyes can pick up where Fergie left off and make it a two horse race - if he can, United's squad is probably better overall, providing you improve your midfield. Thiago would be a great pickup for that and finally add some threat there.
The key to city's title chance will be how Pellegrini remotivates the squad Yaya was forever played in the wrong place by Mancini,he's never a defensive midfield player and when played just behind the front looks a different animal Rodwell was really starting to look the part at the end of the season and think this year will be make or break for him Garcia is simply too slow for the premier league and don't expect him to have a lengthy career at city Barry is a decent player for City. We use him to break up the play and then pass the ball to the nearest better footballer,easy to do at City but not as easy when in an England shirt I think it will be a very tight league between the 3 clubs this season and its difficult to pick a winner out of the 3
Almost right, because of their gentlemenly approach to game, passive aggresive style. But remember, Barry is Carrick on a bad day, when his passes are going astray.
