After suffering the hurt of Manchester United regaining the Premier League crown last season, it seems noisy neighbours Manchester City have the right to laugh at their biggest rivals once again.
Follow us on Instagram :#LamzatBlog
Follow at https://twitter.com/LamzatBlog
Ff us at +LamzatBlog77
Email: Lamzat@yahoo.com
Two years ago, City won the Premier League for the first time with the final kick of the game. Last season it seemed plain sailing for United as they snatched back the trophy in style. Yet, this year the title is City’s to lose.
It took Manuel Pellegrini time to settle as City boss at the beginning of the season, but after working wonders at Malaga in La Liga, you just knew he would bring out the best in his side’s array of talent. If many didn’t think the side he adopted was as good as it was, he felt the need to add. Maybe that was just the right decision. Adding flare, strength and goalscorers, his new employers lit up the Premier League.
Coming in to the squad this summer were Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Martin Demichelis and Stephan Jovetic. All of whom have had a huge impact on the team.
None more so than Negredo who’s 23 goals this campaign, along with fellow top scorers Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, have contributed to City scoring 116 goals this season to date in all competitions. The fastest team to do so.
The Ethiad has been their fortress this season with emphatic wins not just over lowly opposition, but some of the league’s big guns too. With five or more goals in games against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, CSKA Moscow, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City, that is quite an achievement, one I am sure will not be matched for quite some time.
City’s season got off to a slow start with many questioning Pellegrini’s appointment, with defeats to Cardiff City and Aston Villa. However, what did kick-start their season and what gave fans hope of a title returning to East Manchester was a 4-1 demolition of David Moyes’s Manchester United. United’s solitary goal being a late 87th minute consolation from Wayne Rooney after City's onslaught put the game to bed.
From that moment on, City went on to defeat virtually every team in their path although with a slight hiccup here and there. But what can be said is that Pellegrini has City playing a style of football which brings out the attacking flare they are renowned for as well as applying strong organisation and work ethic, both of which are perfect characteristics for a side who want to be Premier League Champions.
Their side has developed year on year following the rich owners throwing their money at the club. It may have taken them time to reach where they are today, but it now seems that City are everyone’s favourites for Premier League glory - not just this year, but as serious contenders in years to come.
During cup runs this season, City have often been drawn against sides in lower divisions than themselves, or against sides struggling in the depths of the Premier League. It is regularly alluded to before games that City have named a weakened side. However, whatever side Pellegrini puts out there is never a player you could say is a weak link in their starting XI.
With strength and depth, the boss doesn’t have to worry about bringing on a player of less ability than the one he is replacing. This is any managers dream and although it is not Pellegrini throwing the money at the team, it is detriment to his scouting skills that this is the case.
I've already spoken about Negredo, but let’s take a look at the rest of City’s attacking prowess. In the centre of the park you have Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. Although they are both big units, typical central midfielders, they also have pace and skill which allow them to play an integral part in City’s attacks.
We all know of Toure’s talent, but one of the stand out players this season since his arrival has been the Brazilian, Fernandinho. On the wing, Navas is highly renowned as one of the fastest footballers on the planet. Due to his low centre of gravity and ability to drive past defenders, he has been a useful addition. Although rarely on the scoresheet, he is the master of assists. And, with Aguero and Dzeko upfront the Sky Blues are difficult to handle.
Defensively, City have looked relatively strong. The stalwart Vincent Kompany is ever-present for Pellegrini and his towering presence at the heart of defence has ensured City’s back door remains tightly shut. He is a natural leader. With support from Matija Nastasic the pairing has become one of the strongest in the division and bar an injuries to the pair they will no doubt be featuring alongside each other for the rest of the season.
As for Manchester United, they are having one of their worst seasons for a decade following the resignation of Sir Alex Ferguson. No doubt they will come back stronger, but after disappointing results all season including a 2-1 loss v Stoke yesterday, Moyes’ has his work cut out if they are to make the Champions League next season. As it stands, they are well off the pace.
As for City, the Premier League looks in sight. The Champions League looks a realistic possibility despite coming up against Barcelona in the knockout stages. Pellegrini will be pleased with the form shown by his team and will fancy his chances against the Catalans. With a tricky tie against Chelsea in the FA Cup and a Capital One Cup Final against Sunderland to come, City are surely strong contenders for winning four trophies this season. If they do it will be no surprise.
No comments :
Post a Comment