It’s an exciting time to be around Manchester City Football Club, not least for the players themselves. As we never tire of mentioning, City are Premier League champions and transfer activity this summer means the club now possess two big name players for every position, the recognised sign of true squad depth.
This includes four experienced and expensive centre midfielders, along with the loan signing of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.
Yaya Toure, one of City’s world class stars, now looks certain to stay despite his summer of discontent. Fernandinho is a key figure at the club after a memorable first season in England.
Fernando has arrived this summer from FC Porto with a big reputation and an expectation of regular football and Javi Garcia remains at the club but is most likely of the four to be shown the door.
Lampard will also want one last crack at regular Premier League and Champions League football before he heads for New York.
It is likely, due to the number of attacking options, these five will be battling for two places in the side, potentially three depending on any tactical changes Pellegrini may have planned throughout the season.
So, where does that leave young midfielders Bruno Zuculini and Emyr Huws? Both are superb footballers that could fit into the squad seamlessly if they can iron out their individual problems in order to be given a long enough chance to impress.
Recent £1.5 million signing from Racing Club Zuculini was given his first chance to impress Manuel Pellegrini on the recent US tour.
While in the USA City faced major European clubs like Milan and Olympiacos. Tests like these, alongside the challenge of meeting his new teammates, was a chance for Zuculini to prove his maturity and work ethic can make him a key feature of City’s star studded midfield.
Zuculini came away from the tour with a much enhanced reputation, both with fans and seemingly Pellegrini. Although previously scheduled for a loan move for the 2014/15 season, there is now a chance the Argentine could be kept at the Etihad as part of the first team squad this season.
The 21 year old was known to be a determined team player but already, over just a few friendlies, he is showing signs he can be much more than that. Tactical nous and an ability to win tackles without having to slide combined with a passing range many elite midfielders would be jealous of make it obvious to see why Zuculini was such a sought after talent.
Zuculini’s biggest problem is that he is foreign. The much talked about home-grown quota required within squads must now be at the forefront of every decision City make. Zuculini must convince all at the club he is worthy of one of these now restricted spots for foreign players.
A much less documented talent is Welsh 20 year old Emyr Huws, who has this summer joined Wigan Athletic on loan. Although this isn’t a chance to play in the Premier League, Huws will be playing under Uwe Rosler’s guidance in a similar passing style to what he may be used to at City.
The Llanelli born youngster is Mr Reliable; this consistency is what has alerted City’s management to his potential and persuaded Wales manager Chris Coleman to now make him a regular member of the squad.
Huws has shouldered responsibility throughout his youth career at City, playing a disciplined role which may remind fans of Gareth Barry. This kind of discipline is vital to succeed at a club that honestly expects to win every match they play.
Since his move from Swansea in 2009, Huws has demonstrated an ability to lead a team and can be trusted to perform his role with a quiet determination and general neatness. A loan spell at Birmingham City also revealed an expansive side to Huws that had been sacrificed while part of the EDS set-up as he scored one of the goals of the Championship season against Middlesbrough.
The fact remains, Pellegrini currently trusts his four experienced central midfielders to dominate the centre of the pitch against the best midfields in the world.
Huws now has to earn a shot at the Premier League by impressing at the DW Stadium in order to be discussed seriously between Pellegrini and his team.
Whatever direction the club choose for their young midfielders, they must ensure they make a firm decision. They have to be confident that a similar situation to Chelsea’s with Nemanja Matic doesn’t arise.
The club has recently sanctioned the sale of 23-year old Jack Rodwell, only 2 years after signing him from Everton. Rodwell arrived with great promise but constant injuries meant his time on the pitch was limited and was quickly left behind in his development that could have taken him to the very top of the game. Rodwell’s injuries show how easy it is for a promising player to lose his way.
In order to succeed at City, players have to show a steely mental edge alongside an exceptional technical and tactical ability. Huws and Zuculini still have a mountain to climb to fit into a team that is taking on the world.
