Despite grabbing the Capital One Cup, Manchester City will be slightly disappointed with the way the 2015-16 season panned out. There is no doubt that the Sky Blues were good, maybe just not good enough.
The Story
Much was expected at the start of the season, as Manuel Pellegrini’s team was expected to provide a strong challenge for the title. The Citizens spared no expense as they splashed out nearly £150 million on five players.
After a fast start, City looked up to the task it seemed like nothing would stop them. Although, a combination of injuries, inconsistency and downright shoddy defending lead Pellegrini’s men into a downward spiral. Aside from patchy league form, the Sky Blues acquitted themselves well in the Champions league and the League Cup. Only a week after being knocked out of the FA Cup, City went on to lift the Capital One Cup after beating Liverpool on penalties. They also beat all expectations to reach the semi-final stage of the Champions League, losing out to Real Madrid 1-0 over both legs.
As the season neared its climax, City were on the verge of finishing outside the top four for the first time since 2010, but the Citizens showed strength and resilience by just managing to claim the final Champions league spot, edging rivals and neighbours Manchester United on goal difference.
POPULAR ARTICLES
FA Cup – What We Learned – Crystal Palace 1 Manchester United 2 (AET)
EPL – Tottenham Hotspur 2015-2016 report card
EPL – Arsenal 2015-16 report card
Key Player – Sergio Aguero
The Argentine is yet to endure a disappointing season in a City shirt after yet another fantastic campaign. He was undoubtedly City’s best performer, netting an impressive 24 goals in the league and 29 in all competitions. The Argentine narrowly missed out on winning his second successive Premier League golden boot award after Harry Kane managed only a goal more (25). His five goals against Newcastle in the first half of the season was undoubtedly the striker’s best performance for the club, as he became only the fifth player to achieve the feat in Premier League history.
An overall top-notch season for who the 27 year-old who has now managed to score over 20 goals in a season for the fourth time in five years with City. He has also achieved this feat in all but three seasons since turning 18.
The Manager
Manuel Pellegrini had signed a contract extension at the start of the season, one that would keep him at the club until 2017. However, after failing to flatter the owners decided it was time for change and in early 2016, it was announced that Pellegrini would be replaced by Pep Guardiola for the 2016-17 campaign.
The Chilean still carried on his job professionally and even went on to guide his team to their first ever Champions League semi-final as well as their second League Cup success in three years. A satisfactory season for Pellegrini, who will now depart the club with fond memories along with three major trophies to his name.
City will now prepare for a new era under Guardiola, as they hope to return to challenge for the title once again.
Off-season Recruitment
There is no doubt that the incoming manager will be given ample funds to strengthen the squad. An injury-hit season for skipper Vincent Kompany and a quite disastrous defensive performance from the rest of the backline suggests that the Citizens will undoubtedly be in the hunt for defenders.
The ageing Martin Demichelis is set to leave after his contract expires and Guardiola will surely be making a centre back as his prime target. Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov and Wilfried Bony are also expected to move on.
With the former Barcelona manager yet to arrive in Manchester, we can only speculate as to who he brings into the club for next season.
Grade – B
If you had to sum up City’s season in one word, it would be ‘par’. Despite winning silverware, the Citizens were nowhere near their best for most parts of the season and considering that they spent nearly £150 million in the summer, not more than five of their players have enjoyed a good season.
Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Joe Hart and young Kelechi Iheanacho have been wonderful to watch but the likes of Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi, Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling have endured torrid seasons for the Sky Blues.
Success in the Capital One Cup, a strong performance in the Champions League and a top four finish would otherwise be considered a fantastic season for most other teams. But with the quality of the squad and the money at their disposal, it only earns City a satisfactory ‘B’ grade.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
