Well blues, I've decided to begin writing a sweet little summary for every month.
With no football to feast my eyes upon (apart from the ever predictable Confederations Cup) and with rumours circulating like urine in a drunken man's urethra, I felt a short little summer update wouldn't harm anyone.
On the agenda this month are the following topics:
The Isco Saga
My Thoughts
Like many of you, I'm sick to the back teeth of hearing/reading this guys name on my timeline. According to most media outlets, Isco's father (also his agent) was demanding a ludicrous paymet of £10m to fill his own back pocket on top of his sons' £25m release clause. In my opinion, our negotiators were correct to promptly decline.
However, isn't it odd that despite Florentino Perez's announcements, the player himself has still not opened his trap? A big move to a big club doesn't really entail silence and many believe the saga is still not over. We'll have to wait and see.
Discussion
Were City right to pull out of the deal?
Do you think Isco prefers a move to City over Real Madrid?
Is Isco being disloyal by moving to a club he claims to dislike?
If he joined City, where would he have fit into the team?
Who should we go for instead?
The Departure of Carlos Tevez
My Thoughts
It's been coming for years and unfortunately, the Argentine has finally decided to call time on his rollercoaster ride at Manchester City. What a player. I don't think we'll ever see the same tenacity in a player for at least ten years, and the variety of goals he scored for us is unbelievable. Undoubtedly a top, top player, but at the same time, a rich fool. Juventus is a great move for him and they're acquiring a world class striker on the cheap, but ultimately, we're now saving £17m a year.
Discussion
Is Tevez the best striker you've seen in City colours?
Is £12m enough for a man of his quality?
Who will replace him?
'That' Jesus Navas Performance
My Thoughts
You should never judge a player on one performance, but it was hard not to do that on Thursday night. The £17m man with eyes like a shimmering sapphire secured Spanish success with sizzling speed and a sumptuous spot kick to fire his national side into the Confederations Cup Final.
As I've said all along, City need width and Navas certainly provides that. He hugged the line in Brazil and made Giorgio Chiellini, one of the world's best centre backs, look like a pensioner. His delivery was second to none and he wasn't afraid to shoot. I'm excited.
Discussion
How did you rate Navas' performance against Italy?
Does he deserve to start in the final?
How do you think he'll do in the Premier League?
If you'd like to discuss any of the content or answer any of the questions on this page, please don't hesistate to contact me on Twitter @Dembe_MCFC.
The fixtures are out!
Once again we've been treated to a relatively pleasant order of games which will provide an excellent platform for Manuel Pellegrini to win his first ever Premier League trophy.
But what can the blues expect from their opponents next season, and where do I think they'll place behind us in the league? Find out below...
NEWCASTLE UNITED H (SAT 17 AUG)
PREDICTION: 19th
After everything that's gone on at Newcastle in the past few days, City couldn't have been handed a better opening day fixture. Pellegrini will kick off his Manchester City reign in front of a rapturous home crowd and it should be a straight forward win for the Chilean.
CARDIFF CITY A (SAT 24 AUG)
PREDICTION: 15th
Historically, winning the Championship has no distinct positive correlation with staying up in the Premier League. The second Welsh side to ever grace the league will definitely be involved in a relegation battle, but I expect them to stay up. With a fearsome home crowd, The Cardiff City Stadium could host some real upsets next season.
HULL CITY H (SAT 31 AUG)
PREDICTION: 18th
The Tiger's almost lost out on automatic promotion after failing to beat Burnley and Barnsley in the latter stages of the season. Three points in any of those games and Hull would have celebrated an early promotion, however, they had to rely on a thrilling final day in the Championship to await their fate. Steve Bruce's side were 66-1 outsiders for promotion at the start of the season, a statistic that only pays testament to the fine job Bruce has done for the North East club.
STOKE CITY A (SAT 14 SEP)
PREDICTION: 16th
The blues always seem to have a torrid time at the Britannia which Stoke have made an intimidating fortress since their arrival in the Premier League back in 2008. However, the Potters ended their 2012/2013 season with a whimper, recording only six points from their last eight games which resulted in the dismissal of Tony Pulis. Ex-City manager Mark Hughes is now at the helm, but somehow, I don't see him being the man for the job.
MANCHESTER UNITED H (SAT 21 SEP)
PREDICTION: 2nd
The big one comes early next season and presents City with their first real tough fixture of the campaign. Moyes' side have been thrown in at the deep end and will begin their title defense with early fixtures against Swansea, Chelsea and Liverpool. The Red Devils will be under immense pressure next season, but finishing anything below 2nd place will be seen as an enormous failure for the club. That is exactly why I expect them to push City for the title once again.
ASTON VILLA A (SAT 28 SEP)
PREDICTION: 13th
With star men Weimann and Benteke staying at the club, I'd expect Villa to really kick on next season. Lambert's men played some beautiful football during their fight against relegation and in the end, Lambert's faith in youth paid off. They'll have a much easier 2013/2014 season.
EVERTON H (SAT 5 OCT)
PREDICTION: 7th
It'll be interesting to see how the Toffee's react to a new manager next season and whether they'll be able to hold on to stars like Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini. The Merseyside men have established themselves as City's 'bogey' team over the years and hopefully a managerial shift will change that.
WEST HAM UNITED A (SAT 19 0CT)
PREDICTION: 9th
The Hammers looked relatively comfortable last season and have heightened their chances of doing the same by sealing the £15m signing of Andy Carroll. There should be no danger of second season sydrome for the Hammers and a mid table finish is likely for them.
CHELSEA A (SAT 26 OCT)
PREDICTION: 3rd
All eyes will be on Chelsea next season as they welcome back 'the special one', Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese has a frightening squad at his disposal and will no doubt be adding to it when the transfer window opens in July. Andre Schurrle has already joined the London outfit and the last time Chelsea faced Hull on the opening day of the season, they won the title.
NORWICH CITY H (SAT 2 NOV)
PREDICTION: 12th
Norwich shocked everyone last season by dismantling Manchester City on the last day with a spirited performance. New signing Ricky Van Wolfswinkel was an absolute steal from Sporting Lisbon at a measly £8m and will help the Canaries to a comfortable mid table position.
SUNDERLAND A (SAT 9 NOV)
PREDICTION: 14th
Paolo Di Canio may have kept Sunderland up, but he'll have an ever tougher job convincing his players that his own unique strategy is the correct one next season. The eccentric Italian has vowed to fine any player than returns back to camp more than 2kg overweight. Tensions could rise at the Stadium Of Light.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR H (SAT 23 NOV)
PREDICTION: 5th
With Gareth Bale set to stay, Spurs have a real chance of finishing in the top four next season. However, speculation surrounding Andre Villas Boas' future continues to circulate the national newspapers with PSG said to be interested. It's between Tottenham and Arsenal for 4th spot and with Arsenal set to spend the cash, Spurs could see themselves falling behind once again.
SWANSEA CITY H (SAT 30 NOV)
PREDICTION: 10th
Another manager whose future has been thrown into the grey is Michael Laudrup. The Dane has made his frustrations with the board known after finding out that their transfer plans don't match his own. Despite the ongoing speculation, Laudrup insists he will be at Swansea next season and will have to keep Michu firing if they are to have another fine season.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION A (TUE 2 DEC)
PREDICTION: 11th
Without Romelu Lukaku leading the line, the Baggies will find it difficult to build on their brilliant 2012/2013 campaign. Although Shane Long is a top striker, he's no Lukaku and lacks the presence and strength that the big Belgian has. If Steve Clarke can find a striker to replace him, they should finish around mid-table.
SOUTHAMPTON A (SAT 7 DEC)
PREDICTION: 8th
Southampton have all the ammunition for a successful campaign next season. With Gaston Ramirez, Adam Lallana, Ricky Lambert and new signing Dejan Lovren in their ranks, they have an excellent base on which to build. Pochettino did a commendable job when he replaced Nigel Adkins in January and I can see the Saints finishing as high as 8th next year.
ARSENAL H (SAT 14 DEC)
PREDICTION: 4th
Arsenal may not have signed anyone yet, but their intentions are promising. Reports suggest the Gunners are just days away from signing the prolific Gonzalo Higuain rom Real Madrid, a capture that will excite both Arsenal and Premier League fans alike. The London outfit have the players to finish in the top four and I'd expect them to beat Tottenham to it once again.
FULHAM A (SAT 21 DEC)
PREDICTION: 17th
In my opinion, it's going to be a tough season for the Cottagers. With an aging squad and little money to spend in the market, Martin Jol's side could be drawn into a relegation battle. Dimitar Berbatov could be the man to save them from the drop.
LIVERPOOL H (THU 26 DEC)
PREDICTION: 6th
Whether Liverpool like it or not, Suarez will leave. If he doesn't leave now, it'll definitely be in the next window and finding someone good enough to replace him will be a daunting task for a side who have fallen down the spectrum in English and European football. They'll need to buy, and if they spend wisely, I'd expect them to finish above their local rivals Everton.
CRYSTAL PALACE H (SAT 28 DEC)
PREDICTION: 20th
There's been talk of Manchester United allowing Wilfried Zaha to return to Palace on loan for the 2013/2014 season, but that seems unlikely given the England U21 starlets recent form. Palace are favourites for the drop and unfortunately, even under the charismatic Holloway's guidance, I'd have to agree.
SWANSEA CITY A (WED 1 JAN)
NEWCASTLE UNITED A (SAT 11 JAN)
CARDIFF CITY H (SAT 18 JAN)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR A (WED 29 JAN)
CHELSEA H (SAT 1 FEB)
NORWICH CITY A (SAT 8 FEB)
SUNDERLAND H (WED 12 FEB)
STOKE CITY H (SAT 22 FEB)
MANCHESTER UNITED A (SAT 1 MAR)
ASTON VILLA H (SAT 8 MAR)
HULL CITY A (SAT 15 MAR)
FULHAM H (SAT 22 MAR)
ARSENAL A (SAT 29 MAR)
SOUTHAMPTON H (SAT 5 APR)
LIVERPOOL A (SAT 12 APR)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION H (SAT 19 APR)
CRYSTAL PALACE A (SAT 26 APR)
EVERTON A (SAT 3 MAY)
WEST HAM UNITED H (SUN 11 MAY)
