Manchester City's blue moon is rising

True footballing excellence is a daunting task. As England found out to their dismay when they were outclassed by a Chilean team that breathed a very alien South American flavor as they strutted their stuff on the hallowed Wembley turf.

It was a performance which oozed that which the English have lacked for a long time on the international stage – identity.

And in a game that strives to unite eleven men in their quest for a common “goal” – literally and figuratively – a clear sense of identity is a prerequisite for success.

Manuel Pellegrini, mild-mannered gentleman and battle-worn traveler, was brought to Manchester City because the “identity” that his predecessor built up failed to reproduce the successes that came only a season previously.

El Ingeniero, or The Engineer – a nickname acquired because of his qualification as a civil engineer, is a man who stays true to the principles attached to the degree he holds.

Even if the degree holds no significance per se in the footballing world, it is far too tempting to not associate the man’s most prominent traits to the apparently insignificant degree on his wall.

Journalists the world over have probably been mentally writing the all-too-juicy headline “Pellegrini architects/constructs City triumph” ever since the Chilean took charge of the Citizens.

In what is shaping up to be the most deliciously balanced Premier League battle in years, the tantalizing mix of City’s riches and Pellegrini’s intellect has meant that City are certainly not going to go down without a fight.

Crucial to their ascent is a complete overhaul of the “identity” that became synonymous with City in their time under Mancini. Much like the Chelsea of old – meaning Jose Mourinho 1.0 – Mancini’s side paid homage to the ethos of organization and solidity, while looking to individual inspiration for goals.

The problem with such an approach became glaringly obvious at the first sign of trouble – when talisman Sergio Aguero suffered an injury-plagued season that saw his individual contribution to the goals tally take a significant hit.

It is also why the team never really got going on the European stage – a side that was so cautious in its domestic league could hardly be expected to be very different on the big continental stage, when the stakes riding on each match are so much bigger.

Consequently, the established big boys were soon picking out City’s carcass from in between their fearsome teeth, for when push came to shove City were found lacking the rhythm and movement required to dance with the best in the business.

The straw that broke City’s back, so to speak, came when Mancini’s side gave a listless, misshapen account of themselves against lowly Wigan Athletic in the one chance they had to lift a piece of silverware – the 2013 FA Cup final.

And while the vultures were already circling over Mancini well before that day – with reporters even questioning Mancini on his future in the lead-up to the game – this is one decision that I agree with.

Even if it was yet another show on the managerial mayhem that prevails in the game today, City had, quite simply, outlived Roberto Mancini.

An increasingly erratic Mancini criticized his players endlessly in the press – a big no-no in the Football Manager 101 classes that Sir Alex Ferguson now routinely counsels David Moyes in.

Mancini is also primarily responsible for the cloud of uncertainty that surrounds Joe Hart today. In an age that sees managers vilify the press for their harsh criticism of professional footballers, the strain of coping with an inspired Sir Alex riding high on the other side of town had Mancini tearing his hair out.

Literally.

This training ground bust-up(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2256586/Mario-Balotelli-Roberto-Mancini-training-ground-fight.html) with Mario Balotelli was just inexcusable conduct for the manager of a team that were then the reigning champions of the world’s most popular football league.

Either way, the time was ripe for change, and in Manuel Pellegrini, the Citizens now have a manager who is as unlike his predecessor in demeanor, as he is in the way he wants his team to play.

And any true blue engineer will attest to this fact – we are experts at making do with what we have. Pellegrini does us proud here – he knows the team he has, and the resources he has at his disposal.

And as opposed to splashing the cash unnecessarily, he has invested heavily – but wisely – in the transfer market.

Fernandinho’s big-money move raised a number of questions – but it was a well-planned move, seeing as how it has freed up an absolute beast in Yaya Toure. The Ivorian now prowls around in areas where he can cause the most damage – but is not averse to dropping back and letting Fernandinho himself make a few runs forward.

Just so you know, the Brazilian is no slouch in that department either.

Balotelli’s resurgence at Milan may have left a sour taste in the mouths of City supporters, but the sheer presence that Alvaro Negredo has displayed thus far will have gone a long way in forgetting Super Mario and his antics.

The Spaniard’s telepathic understanding with Sergio Aguero has seen both players raise their games – in yet another testament to the growing prominence of strike partnerships in the league.

Negredo may be called “The Beast of Vallecas”, but within that imposing exterior is a highly accomplished footballer. One whose intelligence and technical ability have shown through enough to warrant him a starting berth as Spain’s preferred option up front.

Jesus Navas has overcome long-standing problems of chronic homesickness (yes, that’s why the winger didn’t make a move to an elite club before) to provide City with some much-needed width in their play. His form, though, has varied from sublime to mediocre. But it is early days yet.

These two transfers highlight a most intriguing pattern – what an impending World Cup does to the transfer market. Players rush to move to a bigger stage, or in search of game time, all with the intention of being in prime condition for when the tournament comes calling.

City will be glad of the chance to provide these two stars with the chance to shine. Pellegrini himself has ushered in a former charge from his time at Malaga, in Martin Demichelis, although a long-standing injury has meant that the Argentine has only resumed first-team duties.

Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic is another who has seen injuries hamper his settling-in at the Etihad. But Manchester City’s decisiveness in the face of Arsenal’s hesitation in the transfer window will be justified – the prodigy is tailor-made for the English game.

As for City’s woeful away form, well, there had to be some kind of fall-out in the drastic change from a playing style that brought them so much success in the recent past.

As with the new arrivals, supporters have to give this new-look team time to gel and work out all the minor details. In this game where so little separates the very best out there, ironing out flaws may take time, but it will yield dividends.

The important thing to remember for City supporters is that this is a new dawn for the club, and that building their identity as a football team will take time.

Their rivals should beware – this Manchester City is not the Manchester City of old.