Photo: Mangala (Manchester City on Facebook)
After lifting the Premier League trophy for the second time in 3 years, Manchester City is flying high in recent times. The Citizens have a very powerful yet elegant team playing an exciting brand of football. New manager Manuel Pellegrini inherited a well-oiled machine that needed a bit of fine tuning. He has done that and was rewarded with the Premiership crown. Manchester City is perhaps the only team ideally equipped for the BPL with power in their squad as well as having the ability to play in an entertaining manner.
The last time they won the league, the “Noisy Neighbours” found out that it was twice as hard to retain the trophy. They were dethroned by their cross-town rivals Manchester United quite early in the season but this time around the Citizens won’t be caught off-guard. They have made some great additions to their squad in the form of Fernando, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero, Frank Lampard, Bruno Zuculini and Eliaquim Mangala. The fans should be quite happy with the transfer business done by Pellegrini and here is what to they should witness over the course of the season.
Fernando
After moving to Portugal at the age of 20 years and spending 7 years in the Portuguse Superliga, Brazilian midfielder Fernando now walks onto the pitch in a Manchester City shirt. The 27 year old midfield enforcer is a tough tackling player who is not shy of putting in a foot on the opposition. He is also good on the ball and has the ability to retain possession as well as pick out a pass. He is very disciplined and will sit in the ‘hole’ in front of the defense providing a shield, making interceptions and preventing any sort of penetration. He is a great addition for Pellegrini and should see a lot of minutes this season.
Frank Lampard
Signed on loan from New York City FC, the all time leading scorer for Chelsea is an excellent coup for City. A European champion, Frank Lampard has been one of the best scoring midfielders in the BPL over the last decade or so. He brings a wealth of experience and know-how to the Etihad and he will score goals as well. In recent times with his legs getting older, he has adopted a slightly deeper role picking his moments when to arrive in the attacking third. It will be strange to see him in the blue of Manchester but he will add a lot of assurance and a sense of calmness to the squad since he has successfully defended the Premiership before during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Bacary Sagna
Sagna is another tried, tested and proven BPL import for Pellegrini from Arsenal. The French right back has been a consistent performer for the Gunners over the last 5 seasons. Known for his stamina to carry him up and down the right side, Sagna is a wonderful player defensively in one-on-one situations. He reads the game well, has a bit of pace and gets himself into good positions. His attacking play has been called into question on many occasions but he has improved over the years. He has never won the Premiership but he will add more experience, quality and depth to the Citizens who will hope to defend their title successfully this time around.
Willy Caballero
The Argentine goalkeeper has enjoyed some excellent moments between the sticks for Malaga in the past couple of seasons and comes to the Etihad with a point to prove. He has made his intentions clear that he will not be playing second fiddle to Joe Hart as he aims to become Pellegrini’s first choice. Known for his great reflexes and wonderful shot-stopping ability, Caballero is an experienced goalkeeper who also has European games under his belt. He is not as good with the ball at his feet but that side of his game is getting better and if he is given a fair chance at the Etihad, he has the ability and mental capability to dethrone Hart as the first choice.
Eliaquim Mangala
Mangala is a highly rated French central defender who has been under the watchful eyes of many top clubs in Europe. The imposing 23 year old has been in great form for FC Porto in Portugal as well as in the Champions League and has impressed quite a few scouts. Still very young, Mangala has not been the most consistent defender over the last year but when he is on his game he is top class. He has a good understanding of the game, reads it will and is a dominant presence at the back. His positioning is not the best and he may lack a bit of pace but he seems to make good decisions in and around the penalty area. At 6ft 2in, he provides a threat from set pieces and Pellegrini will hope that he is the ideal partner for captain Vincent Kompany. He is a great addition to the team and if he stays healthy he can develop into an excellent defender but one thing for sure is that he is ideal for the English game.
Bruno Zuculini
A graduate from the Racing Club in Argentina, 21 year old Bruno Zuculini is a box-to-box midfielder who has an eye for goal. He has a good range of passes and is brilliant with the ball at his feet. He has the eye for the spectacular while he works tirelessly for his team covering every blade of grass in midfield. He will spend the rest of the season on loan at Valencia in La Liga but he is a good addition and certainly one to watch for the future.
With the transfer window now closed, City can look back and feel satisfied with the business they did in the summer. Central defense was an area where they really needed to address and Mangala can certainly fill the void alongside Kompany. They have added players that suits their style of play as well as players with good physical presence suited for the demands of the BPL. They are in good stead and should be able to be right up there in May. It will be another stern test for the Champions but they have a strong squad with enough quality and depth to defend their crown.
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