After finishing outside the top four last season, the expectation was that Manchester City would spend big again this summer as they chase an elusive Champions League spot. Thus far, City’s owners have not disappointed.
Manager Roberto Mancini has been busy, adding to the continental makeup of his squad with swoops for David Silva, the Spanish winger, and Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast international and younger brother of City captain Kolo. The duo arrived at Eastlands for a combined fee of around £50M.
In the process, he has addressed some of his team’s greatest needs. Silva has been on the wishlist of Europe’s top clubs for several years after repeatedly catching the eye for Valencia. Manchester United, to name just one of his suitors, had been tracking the Spaniard during the past few seasons – but it was City who moved most decisively.
Though he was largely unused by Spain this summer, Silva is a proven star who can improve the creativity within the ranks at Eastlands. A cultured passer and a confident dribbler, he is stronger than he looks and will provide more chances for Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and the rest of the club’s stable of strikers. When it comes to breaking through against stubborn defences, the Spaniard will be a key figure.
Yaya Toure addresses another need. As Gareth Barry showed in South Africa this summer, he is not equipped to dominate in a defensive midfield role. In contrast, Toure has the muscle and positional sense to shield the back four efficiently and allow Barry to focus on distributing the ball and supporting the attack.
Toure’s experience from his Barcelona days will also aid Mancini’s bid to make City a title contender. He is used to the pressure that comes hand in hand with chasing trophies and will not be overawed by the challenge. Mancini’s masters may be paying Toure handsomely for his services, but he might just be one of the shrewdest signing of the past few years.
But do these signings make City legitimate title contenders?
They are certainly getting closer to the leading pack and on paper their squad depth is as good, if not better, than Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. However, the defence remains a major question mark and Mancini will surely be aware of this.
Last season, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge – though all good players in their own right – did not gel as a unit in front of Shay Given. City conceded 45 league goals, more than anyone else in the top seven and 17 more than their local rivals United, who boasted the best defensive record.
The signing of Jerome Boateng earlier in the summer will help, but the Eastlands outfit are still crying out for a dominant figure at the heart of the back four as a vocal organiser with a ‘body on the line’ attitude. Think Carles Puyol, Nemanja Vidic or even John Terry before his slump in form. When the going gets tough and slender leads must be defended, a true defensive leader can be the difference between one point or three. Time and again, Vidic has bailed Sir Alex Ferguson out with timely headers and blocks. Who will step up for Roberto Mancini when the going gets tough?
There are options out there, though. The World Cup showcased numerous talented defenders and many of them could be prised from their clubs by the lure of the Eastlands revolution. Diego Lugano, of Fenerbahce, was outstanding for Uruguay this summer and should be given serious consideration. Ricardo Carvalho, who was superb for Portugal, might be tempted by the offer of a fresh challenge, while compatriot Bruno Alves, also a target for Chelsea, would be a more expensive choice. Meanwhile, in the full back positions, the likes of Fabio Coentrao and Michel Bastos displayed their considerable talent in South Africa.
The back four is the last remaining area for City to fine tune and snapping up a couple of more quality performers would push them right into the title discussions. Suddenly, Mancini’s men would have the stars to win games against the big boys home and away and produce consistent results across the entire season. Equipped with a resilient defence, the title would not be out of the question and a place in the 2011/12 Champions League would be a certainty.
However, if City’s shopping spree ends with the captures of Silva and Toure, the blue half of Manchester might have to wait another year before upsetting the established Premier League order.
