Manchester City in 2014: A Review of the Year

Manchester City would have set a new club record for consecutive wins across all competitions with a win against newly promoted Burnley on Sunday.



Of course, they didn't, and the 2-2 draw marked a disappointing end to a comparatively prosperous year for the club. 

The Blues claimed their second Premier League title in three years in May, coming out on top in a gripping tussle with Chelsea and Liverpool. Two months earlier, Vincent Kompany had his hands on the Capital One cup - it was a year of domestic dominance for City and their new manager, Manuel Pellegrini. 

But the club's conduct in Europe still raised questions. City were shrugged off by Spanish giants Barcelona in the last 16 of the 2013/2014 Champions League - the demeaning 4-1 aggregate score illustrating the Blues' technical and experiential weaknesses in the competition. A total of £52m was spent in the summer in a bid to better prepare the side for the rigors of European football, but Pellegrini's acquisitions have come in for some severe criticism so far this season.

This term, the club have taken a monumental step in etching their name into elite of world football. Early in December, City unveiled their new £200m state-of-the-art CFA training complex to the media. Jamie Jackson of the Guardian described the facility as 'unbelievable' and said 'You go in there and you know the club are serious.' 


(City's new football academy has been described as 'phenomenal' by journalists)

The hierarchy at Eastlands expect to produce first team players in the next two to three years that will feature in the starting eleven every single week. It's a bold statement from a club that have only ever welcomed one truly successful academy graduate into the first team in the last decade in Micah Richards, but it's one Manchester City fans should believe. 

And City's conduct on the field has been as impressive. Sitting three points behind Chelsea in the league, awaiting a third round FA Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday and salivating over yet another Champions League knockout round meeting with Barcelona, more trophies are most definitely on the horizon. 

There may be room for improvement, but Manchester City fans have a lot to look forward to in 2015.

League position
It's difficult to conclude whether the standard of the league is getting stronger, or whether it's actually becoming weaker. 

Chelsea failed to beat a struggling Sunderland side, Manchester United conceded five goals against bottom club Leicester, and Manchester City collected just a point from home ties against Stoke and Burnley. Of course, results like this happen often in the Premier League, but the fact that the likes of Liverpool and Everton, (teams that performed so well last term), have slumped so drastically raises questions.

Second place is a fair representation of the football we've played so far this season. We've been efficient more than we have been brilliant, and Chelsea have been the only team to play better than us. 

Style of play
Pellegrini introduced a ferocious brand of attacking football last term that engulfed the league. Unfortunately, City fans will always compare the club's style of play to the 2013/2014 season because it was so brilliant to watch. 

However, this season has seen our approach acquire more patience. Our midfield isn't particularly quick and Pellegrini has begun to rely on Jesus Navas for that injection of pace. Navas is definitely fast, but his delivery often disappoints and he's a very dispensable member of the team. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov gave us most of our width last season, but Pellegrini's rotation system has meant that there is an extra focus on the centre of midfield for creativity and penetration.


(Jesus Navas has been relied on for width this term)

Obviously, Sergio Agüero has been magnificent and Yaya Touré has started showing the class he exhibited earlier in the year, but David Silva is still our best player. Everything comes through him and I feel he'd benefit from having a couple of wingers either side of him.

New signings
Our new signings have generally disappointed.

Eliaquim Mangala has given an assortment of sweet and sour performances since his £32m move in the summer, and only one of those performances has warranted that fee. That was his debut against Chelsea where he kept Diego Costa at bay in a commanding performance. 

There are signs that he can become brilliant - which is the main thing. He's impressive in the air and lightning fast on the ground, but he's too impulsive and often commits unneccessary fouls in dangerous areas. He'll benefit from Kompany's experience, but he needs to improve soon. 


(Fernando (left) and Eliaquim Mangala (right) have endured a frustrating start to life in Manchester)

Fernando is a Nigel De Jong type player in that he loves to put himself about. The Brazilian is quicker and more agile than the Dutchman and is often in the right place at the right time. I like him, but I don't see him as a starter. Technically, he's not great and Fernandinho offers much more all over the pitch than the former FC Porto man. He's a good squad player, but not someone that has particularly improved the side. 

Bacary Sagna is a proven Premier League right back and I liked the fact we signed him on a free in the summer. The transfer was shrewd and has afforded the ever-present Pablo Zabaleta with a much deserved rest. Sagna is versatile and great in one-on-one situations, but there's no comparison between him and his Argentinian teammate. 

As for Willy Caballero, it pleasures me to say that Joe Hart has batted away his threat with ease. 

Champions League
I was one of many fans who gave up on City after their home defeat to CSKA Moscow. It was an atrocious display, but one I'd come to expect of us in Europe. Unfortunately, the club have a poor relationship with the competition and fans feel hard done by when we lose.


(Pablo Zabaleta celebrates his goal against AS Roma)

The players don't have the same attitude, and finally (finally!) they showed the resilience they've displayed in the Premier League for so long with two spectacular results against Bayern Munich and AS Roma. Sergio Agüero's enchanting rescue-act against the Germans definitely injected some much needed confidence into the side and the performance at the Stadio Olimpico was possible the most professional display we've offered in Europe in our history. How we got through, I'll never know, but you can never put these types of results past City.

Barcelona have an incredible amount of experience in Europe and I'd expect them to beat us again. I just hope we show more fight that we did last time around. 

Star performers

• Sergio Agüero - absolutely unplayable and still the league's top scorer despite injury. We're a much more intimidating force with him in the side and we have a lot to thank him for with regards to our progress in Europe and our emergence from a torrid run of form two months ago.

(Sergio Agüero has netted 19 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season)

• James Milner - a man that will give absolutely everything on a consistent basis. The most versatile and hard-working member of the squad, but also an extremely talented player. Makes assists, creates chances and has become a big game player for the club. Has to sign that new contract soon.
• David Silva - a magician. The Spaniard is much better in the hole behind the striker and possesses a touch and composure unseen elsewhere in the league. Messi-like on his day and one of the team's most consistent performers. The best player to ever grace the sky blue shirt? Definitely.
• Joe Hart - earned himself a new contract with a vital array of saves. Distribution still poor, but the 27-year-old is beginning to show what a good goalkeeper he is.

Under performers

• Eliaquim Mangala - there's definitely hope, but the Frenchman has not shown £32m form in a City shirt as of yet. Suffers when his left-back struggles, but often lunges into tackles and can be out of position on occasion.
• Edin Džeko - hasn't got going. The Bosnian has a tidy injury record but has struggled with them so far this season, meaning he has only been able to make 11 appearances for the side. With just two goals this season, Džeko has fallen way behind his Argentinian partner in the pecking order.

(The Bosnian has struggled with injury)

• Aleksandar Kolarov - began to show form last term but seems to have become even worse in a defensive sense this season. Yet to give Pellegrini a reason to start him ahead of Gaël Clichy.

Manchester City 1 - 0 Everton: Blues prove they're not just a one man team

Can Manchester City cope without Sergio Agüero?



The early signs seem to suggest they can. In fact, Manchester City recorded a 1-0 win over 'bogey-side' Everton on Saturday without three of their most influential players. David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Agüero, who sustained an injury to his knee within three minutes, were unable to offer their respective services to City's fifth consecutive win in all competitions, but the maturity of the team saw the Blues narrow the gap between themselves and Chelsea at the top of the table to just three points.

Much has been made of Agüero's importance to the Blues so far this season, and City's title hopes began to limp out of the Etihad Stadium just like their Argentinian striker at 17.33pm. As Agüero tearfully hobbled from the field of play, clutching the back of his left knee, a grey fog began to sedate the stadium into silence. It was heartbreaking.



Manuel Pellegrini confirmed after the game that the striker had injured the ligament in his knee.

But City dispelled the 'one man team' accusations with a refreshingly tenacious performance orchestrated by Yaya Touré, Samir Nasri, and the ever-reliable James Milner. The three mingled both stylishly and effectively to create space behind Everton's back line and control the midfield. 

Milner's intelligent running forced Phil Jagielka into a clumsy tackle inside the penalty area that supplied City's winner, Nasri provided creativity in attacking positions and an unusual willingness to win the ball back that buoyed the crowd, and Touré issued his potential successor Ross Barkley with a masterclass in composure on the ball and physical dominance in the centre of midfield. The Ivorian has dealt with the criticism directed at him earlier in the campaign in a professional manner and has responded to it brilliantly with four league goals, more than any other midfielder in the league. 

Sergio Agüero could be out for between a week and six months. The agonising wait will torment Manchester City fans who have watched the South American climb into the realms of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo so far this term, but Manuel Pellegrini must utilise the quality in his squad to numb the pain of his absence. 

On Saturday afternoon, City showed an industrious side to their play that proved they are not reliant on just one man. The current Premier League champions have emerged from sour run of form that saw many refute their chances of silverware this season, but emerging unscathed from a busy period without Sergio Agüero could be even more difficult. 

Player Ratings

Joe Hart 7

Hart may not be deserving of the most lucrative contract ever handed to a goalkeeper, but his acrobatic save to deny Romelu Lukaku was nothing short of world class. The Englishman is set to sign a new five-year deal with the club worth £165,000-a-week, and he'll have to continue producing stops like that to prove he is worth every penny. Distribution still a weak area.

Pablo Zabaleta 7

Nullified perhaps Everton's best threats in Kevin Mirallas and Leighton Baines. A much quieter performance than the one we saw against Sunderland in mid-week, but just as effective.

Martin Demichelis 7

A calm and assured performance at the centre of defence. Stayed composed and resolute to deny the threat of the physical Lukaku and ensured his team kept a vital clean sheet.

Eliaquim Mangala 7

Got away with murder early on after almost decapitating Samuel Eto'o with an outrageous high foot in Everton's penalty area, but after taking on some wise words from Yaya Touré, the Frenchman collected himself and displayed his fabulous aerial abilities against Lukaku. Improving.

Gaël Clichy 7.5

Clichy started the season so poorly that City fans were eager to see him leave the club as soon as possible, but the previously dependable full-back has become one of Manuel Pellegrini's star performers in the last three games. Excellent defensively and has begun to provide the Blues with a Kolarov-like threat on the flanks. 

Jesus Navas 6

Troubled Baines with his pace, but wasn't direct enough. The Spaniard is not a defensive minded player, nor is he particularly hard-working, and as a result, he faded from the game.

Fernando 7.5

Filled in for the rested Fernandinho and was another lucky to escape red after treating ex-Blue Gareth Barry to a ferocious boot to the head. Otherwise, the Brazilian was brilliant. Provided a number of crucial blocks and typically rugged tackles to disrupt the flow of Everton's football.

Yaya Touré 8.5 (M.O.M)

Has answered his critics well by hitting a run of fine form in the last few weeks. The Ivorian orchestrated the midfield with a level head, spraying passes from left to right and powerfully charging forward to replace the attacking threat vacated by Agüero. Brilliant penalty secured the win.

James Milner 8

Always commended for his tenacity, but the Englishman is an exceptionally intelligent player who often troubles defences with his constant movement. Defended and attacked with enthusiasm and won the penalty that won City the game. Always reliable.

Samir Nasri 8

Nasri possesses the ability to toy with his opponents, but it was his defensive work that particularly impressed on Saturday afternoon. The Frenchman was both creative and resourceful in possession and his willingness to track his man ensured the Toffees were unable to play out from the back.

Sergio Agüero - No time to mark

Soured the victory by limping off the field after just three minutes. Let's hope it's not as serious as it looked.

Substitutes

Search Results

José Ángel Pozo 7 

The youngster was thrown into the deep end by Manuel Pellegrini who seemed keen to protect Džeko from the same fate suffered by Agüero. Tussling with the experience and strength of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin is no mean feat, but the Spaniard coped well and almost scored.

Edin Džeko 6
The Bosnian international lacks aggression and will have to step up to the mark against Roma on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard 6
Experience helped see out a crucial win.

Sunderland v Manchester City: A hideous history, comparing Mangala and Kompany, and line-up prediction

The German champions and second in the Premier League; no problem, but on Wednesday night, Manchester City travel to a stadium where there always seems to be one. 



City haven't emerged victorious from the Stadium of Light since 2008 when Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a second-half brace on his return to the club. Roy Keane was in charge of the Black Cats which made the victory that little bit sweeter, but since then, the Blues have drawn once and lost four times on Wearside. 

Pellegrini's men will be without Vincent Kompany (hamstring) and Eliaquim Mangala (suspension) as they look to extend their four-match unbeaten run in all competitions, and there have been suggestions that the absence of the £32m Frenchman could make that task a little more feasible. 

I've assaulted Eliaquim Mangala with an army of hostile vocabulary since his inexplicable clanger against Hull City in September, but I have sympathy for the 23-year-old who took one for the team against Southampton on Sunday. Yaya Touré's complacency in possession forced the defender into an unfortunate position where he had to bring down Shane Long in order to prevent a goal. Contrary to reports, Kompany was no where near the Irishman, and a goal would have changed the course of the game. Mangala made the correct decision, and it paid off.


(Mangala was shown a second yellow card for his tackle on Shane Long last weekend)

Mangala is a young, relatively inexperienced defender who is a victim of his own enthusiasm. He often lunges into tackles and attempts to impose his strength (albeit too clumsily) on the opposition, but he is a dominant force in the air and is never afraid to put his body on the line for the team. 

He reminds me of Vincent Kompany; a player who has also fallen victim to his impulsive nature in the past. Think back to his pull-back on Jelavic last season and his two footed challenge on Nani in the 3-2 loss to Manchester United in 2012 - both were huge games for City, and they were let down by their captain on both occasions. Since then, the Belgian has evolved into one of Europe's most competent defenders.


(Mangala has won 57% of his duels in the league so far this season, more than any other City defender - via @Squawka)


(Only Gaël Clichy averages more defensive actions per game than the 23-year-old - via @Squawka)

Mangala is very similar to Kompany in that he is a strong, physically intimidating, aerially dominant, speedy, but impulsive defender. However, the Frenchman is five years younger than his teammate, and experience alongside Kompany will erase the clumsiness from his game and help him reach his frightening potential. 

Dedryck Boyata has no place in a team challenging for the Premier League title, and so Bacary Sagna and Martin Demichelis should feature at the heart of Pellegrini's defence on Wednesday night. The former Arsenal man has experience in the central position and gave one of his best performances for the Gunners whilst filling in for Laurent Koscielny in a 1-0 win over Sunderland in September 2013. 

(Visit this link to see Sagna talking about his future as a central defender in 2013 - http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/sagna-i-see-my-future-in-the-centre)

Sunderland may have achieved an admirable draw against league leaders Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, but I don't expect City to go easy on Poyet's side despite their huge favour. Ultimately, Sunderland are a poor side, a side that conceded eight goals against Southampton, and a side we should beat. The run has to end. 

Predicted line-up


Prediction
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