Manchester City ended a 44-year wait to be crowned as England’s top team in 2011-12, in what was a nail-biting but massively exciting campaign for the Etihad Stadium faithful. Premier League glory was the number one goal of the big-spending outfit, however it took last-day drama to ensure this ambition became reality. After a summer of strengthening City will look to push on next season, and although they are the newly crowned English champions, dominance domestically and making waves on the continent will be their next objectives.
So here is a season preview of their objectives, playing positions, and possible transfers.
Season Objectives:
City will look to start off from where they’d left the premier league last season. Despite claims from the club and the fans that their main target next season would be to clinch the champions league, they would not be too disappointed if their team makes it to the quarter finals at least and loose to a worthy opponent. Having said that, they’d still want to go as far as possible in that tournament while keeping the premier league their main priority. The F.A. cup would be a very good consolation considering they win either the premier league or the champions league because the double is always an impressive feat. Carling cup and the community shield would not matter much to the club if you look at it as winning a trophy. But considering the depth in the squad, Mancini would hope the club go as far as possible in the F.A cup and in the Carling cup as he can give a chance to as many players and if possible a few of their youth too.
Goal Keepers :
If there is one position in their squad that shouldn’t give their coach head aches is the position of a goal keeper. Joe Hart has proven in the past few seasons for Manchester City and for the English national team that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He will obviously start every match for city unless injured,suspended or the coach decides to give the back up or the reserve keeper a chance. They had a good back up goal keeper last season-Costel Pantilimon, whose highlight was the penalty save of Wayne Rooney in the F.A. cup (but he could not save the follow-up and city eventually lost the match). Pantilimon’s loan deal was made permanent for a fee in the region of £3 million. He is contracted to City until 2016.
Possible Transfers : none
Defenders :
They have four very good full backs with heavy competition among them. Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta will no doubt fight it out for the right back position. Richards can cover up for the center back role like he did at the end of last season. The competition at the left side might not be as intense with Gael Clichy being slightly favoured over Aleksandar Kolarov(who can play as a left winger too). They have two absolutely rock solid center backs in Joleon Lescott and their club captain and already a legend Vincent Kompany. Young guns like Stefan Savic and Boyata could be good back ups.
Possible Transfers out : Kolo Toure and Wayne Bridge.
Midfielders :
Possible Transfers out : Adam Johnson, Vladimir Weiss(having been loaned out in previous seasons, its time he moves away)
Forwards :
Possible Transfers out : Santa Cruz(once the captain of his country Paraguay, he spent enough time on the bench and should either retire or make a move back to his continent), Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez,
Possible Transfers in : Robin Van Persie
Overall season prediction : English Premier league Title contenders, Champions league Semi finalists, F.A. cup winners
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