We edge closer to the start of another exciting season of the Premier League and teams are doing everything in their power to bolster their squads in order to be fully prepared for what lies ahead.
Manchester City are no different from the rest and have already made some big-name signings. Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph are the two noteworthy players that signed for City for the upcoming season and Manuel Pellegrini does not look like he is done yet.
Last season saw City play out a campaign that did not meet their high standards, even though they managed to finish second in the league. The Sky Blues will be hopeful for better fortunes this time around and much of that will be dependent on their star players’ performances as well as fitness. So who is at the core of the City title case?
Vincent Kompany
Kompany’s natural leadership qualities have rightfully earned him the skipper’s armband at City. The Belgian joined the blue half of Manchester in 2009 and has since been a prominent figure in City’s back line. Although injuries have hampered his progress, he still continues to be a vital part of the squad. The previous season saw City put in a rather poor defensive display and it was evident to see that even when Kompany played, he was far from his best. This time around, he will be keen to get back to his old self and work towards solidifying his defence once again. With the competition in the Premier League only getting tougher by the season, it will be important for the City skipper to not only be at the top of his game but also to remain fit throughout the season.
Yaya Toure
The Ivorian powerhouse will have to play a key role for City this season if the club is to achieve the success it desires. Toure moves into his fifth season in Manchester and has been one of their best players during that period. The ageing midfielder may still have a few more good years left in him. He was linked with a move away from the Etihad but rumours have since calmed and it seems likely that he will stay at Eastlands at least for another year. City’s preseason has seen Toure struggle to complete 60 minutes but if we know anything about the 32-year-old, it is that he is a warrior on the pitch and will give his all.
David Silva
The crafty Spaniard has been a crucial part of the way City play their football since his arrival at the Etihad. Despite being one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and indeed the world, he continues to work hard and improve with every season. He formed a brilliant partnership with Sergio Aguero last season and had a hand in the Argentine winning the Premier League’s Golden Boot award. The ex-Valencia man also managed to get on the scoresheet 12 times in the league, but City will be hoping for even more from him. The Spaniard has an extreme amount of talent in that left foot of his and City will be counting on him to showcase all of it.
Raheem Sterling
Another footballer that can dazzle defences in the blink of an eye, the pacey Englishman recently joined City in a big-money move from Anfield. Critics have been on his back from the moment he put on the sky blue jersey and it is not likely to stop anytime soon. With big money comes big responsibilities and we have seen a number of star players succumb to that pressure in the past. It will be up to Sterling as well as Pellegrini to ensure he does not meet the same fate. Fifty million pounds is a lot of money in anyone’s language, but Sterling is capable of repaying every pound if he is able to discover his best form. His confidence and hunger will be a key factor in his success and the England international will have to work as hard as any other player in the squad, if not even more, if he is to do justice to his price tag.
Sergio Aguero
Last season’s Golden Boot winner could miss the start of the season through injury, but as we have seen in the past, it does not take a lot for Aguero to get going. Nevertheless, the Citizens can ill-afford for Aguero to spend too much time in the physic’s room. Should the ex-Atletico man stay fit for the entirety of the campaign or close to it, the 2013-14 champions will find themselves right in the hunt for another domestic crown.
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Pellegrini has yet to capture other purported targets, but the Chilean should be more than happy with his squad thus far. City’s latest preseason friendly saw them brush aside the Vietnamese national team 8-1.
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