EPL 2012/2013: Manchester City: Moving forward while standing still

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: The counter measuring how many years it is since Manchester City has won the League title is reset to zero following the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The defending champions are now at a crossroads – Should they consolidate their current position, or look to get to higher ground? Domestic success has been achieved, now City’s aim could be to make a mark in the Champions League and get amongst the European elite. However, domestic turbulence remains their greatest threat. To stay at the top requires far more nous and experience than to get to the top.

The Season that was

It’s the first time in 44 years that Manchester City starts a top division campaign as defending champions. The band of mercenaries, who, many expected would squabble and implode, came together in spectacular fashion last season and exploded at the right time and place to secure a historic, last-gasp championship. The team will be viewed differently now, no longer a unit that has to prove, but one that is a year and a championship-win wiser.

The accolades did not go to just one person, for City had plenty of performers. In defense, Vincent Kompany had a stellar season on his way to picking up the Barclays Player of the year award. Yaya Toure provided the energy and guile from deep, and with David Silva pulling the strings in the final third, City had a high-class spine. Top it off with Sergio Aguero notching up 23 goals in his first season, and Tevez playing a credible second fiddle, City had the nuts.

The manager too, played his cards shrewdly, preferring to play down his team’s chances in the run-up to bring some calm to the chaos. Balotelli threatened to disturb the show, but Mancini always seemed to be in control of his maverick striker. Neighbours, Manchester United were beaten to the title at the buzzer, another feat not keeping in tune with domestic seasons gone by. City went against the tide, and made it to the promised land.

Notable Transfers so far

MORECAMBE, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Jack Rodwell of Everton looks on during the pre season friendly match between Morecambe and Everton at Globe Arena on July 14, 2012 in Morecambe, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Stability is key for every club, and City’s best bit of business this summer was tying down Roberto Mancini to a 5-year deal. Playmaker David Silva is also close to signing a new 4-year deal. Contrary to previous seasons, Manchester City are not making any noise in the transfer market. Talks are going on for offloading big-earners and redundant players like Adebayor, Santa Cruz and Adam Johnson. The club is trimming down, getting rid of all the largese. Edin Dzeko remains the weakest link of the attack department due to his inconsistency, with him being linked to a move to Italy.

Jack Rodwell has been the most recent and only signing so far, a sign that the higher-ups are satisfied with the quality on display. Whether Mancini remains satisfied is another matter altogether, and his cribbings about the squad size are now falling on deaf ears, much like the boy who cried wolf.

Apart from Robin van Persie, who is no longer a target, City doesn’t seem to be having a genuine transfer target. The other possibility is that high-profile deals are taking place behind closed doors this time, a welcome deviation from their usual approach.

A deep-lying playmaker is probably the only signing that could improve this already good squad, with De Jong reportedly on his way out. Daniele de Rossi would add pizazz to an already star-studded lineup.

City did not have to suffer the same injury crisis as its neighbours, but not adding a quality central defender to their ranks could come back to bite them. Kompany was their stand-out player, whereas Manchester United’s defense crumbled time and again due to the absensce of Nemanja Vidic. Daniel Agger is the rumoured target, with the player himself not keen on the move.

Expectations

If the Community Shield was anything to go by, it is clear they have a settled and top-class first XI. The attack looks diverse yet strong, the midfield creative yet sturdy, and the triangle of Kompany, Lescott and Joe Hart is not going to let in many goals.

The same can’t be said about Kolo Toure and Stefan Savic, and it is in this area that Mancini could do with some re-inforcements. Dedryck Boyata could be the beneficiary, and a loan move to Bolton last season has only helped him. The 22-year old could find his progression to the first team hastened by a couple of high-profile mistakes by the aforementioned duo.

City’s failure to sign van Persie could be a blessing in disguise for Swede whizkid, John Guidetti. The 20 year-old striker who spent last year on loan at Feyenoord, comes back to the City camp with 20 goals and 8 assists in 23 appearances for the Dutch outfit. Feyenoord finished a surprise second last season, and Guidetti’s ascent to the first team from being a youth product could go a long way in quieting the din that City have no homegrown players.

The Talisman

City could probably do without Aguero, but last season the side looked toothless without Silva. The Spaniard, coming off a victorious Euro 2012 campaign, will once again be the central cog in the City machinery. The numbers speak for themselves – a total of 8 goals and 22 assists last season for the dimunitive playmaker who forced his way into the much-vaunted Spanish midfield; no small feat in itself.

The club and the manager too, seem to have concurred as Silva was rewarded with a long-term contract. He remains the most important player at City, but often the most unheralded.

Formations

Mancini’s go-to formation remains the 4-2-3-1 with split strikers. Many of the European heavyweights employ this formation (Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich), as it allows for a greater distribution of roles and provides adequate cover for players in the “free role” (Silva).

Expect the front four to do the business, ably supported by the marauding man-mountain Yaya Toure, who forms the critical link between defense and midfield. Gareth Barry had a surprisingly good season, although there are question marks over his fitness after he pulled out of the Euros. Silva and Nasri will continue to function as attacking midfielders in the winger role, and with Richards and Clichy on the overlap, City once again seem to have all zones covered.

Target for the season

There is still plenty of time left for Manchester City to make additions, but the initial impression is that of contentment and confidence. Others have strengthened, but that is no reason why this squad could not go on to win again? They are the champions, after all. Winning the league again would confirm their standing in English Football as one of the giants, and help the club kick-on.

Obviously, Mancini would be desperate to progress further in the Champions League, because this set of players can do a lot better than a 3rd place group finish. Progressing to the knock-out rounds is a minimum, and once there, City can hope to cause a few upsets and really get into the reckoning for the cup. It’s a dangerous side, and not many top teams would like to meet City early on in the competition.

Overall, Man City will once again start as favourites, as it would be perilious to write off last season’s success as a fluke. For this season at least, the “mercenaries” tag needs to be replaced with the “formidables”.