No club has retained the Premier League crown since Manchester United’s three-peat between 2006-2009, as City failed on two occasions this decade, with different managers. Manuel Pellegrini isn’t fully responsible for City’s misfortunes in recent years, but the Chilean manager and the players enter an important period that could define the club’s future.
Pellegrini’s job was rumoured to be at risk following a trophy-less season, but his overall tenure didn’t warrant a severe punishment. In terms of entertainment and style, City improved vastly under the Chilean, whilst capturing a league and cup double in his debut season.
Although Pellegrini proved he could be a winner, the current season was the ideal time for both the manager and the club to take leap amongst Europe’s elite. City, though, have failed to replicate the successful model of the best teams on the continent — the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
These clubs have been transformed into cohesive units, possessing world-class players in every position, and continuously address troubled areas. Following Neymar’s arrival to Camp Nou, Luis Suarez was recruited to form the best attacking trio in the game, while Barcelona have welcomed Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan, this summer.
Similarly, Bayern Munich also improved this summer by acquiring Douglas Costa to decrease the significance of the aging Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, whereas Arturo Vidal, arguably the best all-rounder in world football, provides a combative edge to the German midfielder subsequent to Bastian Schweinsteiger’s departure. Though, Real Madrid’s transfer activity has been quiet under new manager Rafa Benitez, the club still managed to strengthen a feeble area with the arrival of Brazilian right back, Danilo.
Frankly, City’s reluctance to replicate the model of Europe’s elite is peculiar. The core of the initial title winning side started the club’s opening weekend win over West Brom, further highlighting their inability to evolve in recent years. Likewise, a team filled with talented individuals hasn’t successfully replaced key players that departed.
“I think the stronger your squad, the more possibilities you have (to win the title),” Pellegrini said. “We have a good squad at the moment but if we can improve it in a couple of positions, it will be better.
Pellegrini recruited Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho upon his arrival to the Etihad to help the club regain the league title from rivals Manchester United — two remain at the club, with only Fernandinho guaranteed a starting role — and it appears the Chilean’s side will stick to tradition. Perhaps risk of failing to meet the English homegrown quota led to City’s major coups thus far, but unlike Liverpool, and Manchester United — two teams aiming to return to the top of English football — their signings lack direction.
Raheem Sterling is an extraordinary young talent that offers City a direct threat in wide areas: of the players that started over 30 games last season, Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, and Alexis Sanchez bettered the 20-year-old’s 2.9 dribbles per game, while only the Belgian was fouled more.
Although Sterling’s finishing is currently poor — which is expected from a young player as their sharpness in the final third improves with experience — the 20-year-old’s tactical versatility makes him an asset in Pellegrini’s loose 4-4-2 system. The England international can operate in all four attacking positions, and if needed, can be utilized as an attack-minded fullback.
Financially, Fabian Delph’s signing can’t be compared to Sterling, but the former Villa star has transformed into a top Premier League box-to-box midfielder that can quickly turn defence to attack with his ball-carrying ability. Unlike previous signings, Delph won’t require time to adapt, whilst providing adequate depth in an area that has proved inconsistent over the years.
Nevertheless rumours regarding Wolfsburg star, Kevin De Bruyne’s projected move to the Etihad would further improve the club’s strongest area. The Belgian averaged the most key passes per game (3.3) and recorded a league high 20 assists, as Wolfsburg finished second and claimed the German Cup.
De Bruyne thrives in space, and though most opposition City encounter defends deep, whilst maintaining a compact shape, the Belgian would strengthen a formidable attack. David Silva would likely operate in a no.10 role, thus giving De Bruyne license to move into central areas from the right flank, where he will be handed the freedom to express the creativity that often went amidst during his brief spell at Chelsea.
On the other hand, City has parted ways with Negredo, Jovetic, James Milner, Matija Nastasic, and most recently Dzeko. While half of Pellegrini’s initial signings fell out of favour last season, Nastasic formed the best partnership with Vincent Kompany since Nigel de Jong’s departure, and though Sterling could form a devastating partnership with Silva, the Spaniard’s combination play with Milner was highly effective.
Likewise, Dzeko served as the ideal strike partner for Sergio Aguero, when he dropped deep and moved towards the flanks, whereas the Argentine simultaneously darted into space behind the defence. When Dzeko featured in a minimum of 30 league games, the Bosnian scored 14 goals twice, and once hit the 16 goal-mark, and with Negredo and Jovetic moving abroad, City possess two reliable strikers.
Essentially, Pellegrini’s side appears to be losing more than they are gaining, and that has been the constant issue preventing City from evolving into a genuinely excellent side. Though the signings, in retrospect, are positive for the short-term — and can guide City to domestic success based on the stagnation amongst the top sides — they Manchester club remains in the same predicament.
Where City have failed to find an adequate partnership for Kompany and Yaya Toure — players who have been exposed on the biggest stage following De Jong’s departure — Milner and Dzeko’s departure now deprive the club’s legitimate world class stars of genuine partnerships.
Ultimately the same issues arise with or without the arrival of De Bruyne. City may transition to a 4-2-3-1 to maximize the abundance of attacking midfielders at their disposal, but Kompany still lacks a partner with a calm presence, a top-class defensive midfielder has been overlooked in Pellegrini’s fairly open system, and an Aguero injury can leave Pellegrini’s side searching for goals.
Building an elite European involves balance, quality, tactical variation, pragmatism, and clever partnerships, and though it takes time to establish the various elements, City are currently a few signings away from such a prestigious status. The memories of mid-table supremacy is distant, but City’s complacency in the transfer market puts their top-four status in jeopardy over the long term.
The star power aligned at City should see the club continue to win the occasional trophy, but the lack of direction in their transfer activity, combined with their aging core, means City may never become a truly great side.
