Never the shrinking violet, Roberto Mancini last year claimed that he deserved credit for Manchester City’s recent successes.
Mancini said: “The players scoring the goals are players that I bought – Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and David Silva.”
“I think Pellegrini is doing a good job, but what is happening now at Manchester City, we did three years ago.”
Mancini did bring in Scott Sinclair, Maicon and Jack Rodwell but even his new signings at Inter Milan, Xherdan Shaqiri and Lukas Podolski, highlight the Italian’s impressive transfer record.
A year on from Mancini’s comments and his words still ring true – the heart of the team is made up of his signings, or at least players he inherited and undoubtedly improved. Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero were all brought in under his tenure. These players were the key to the success of 2012 and continue to be some of the first names on the team sheet three years on.
Of the starting eleven that began the 4-1 win against Stoke City only three were signed by Pellegrini (Mangala, Fernando, Fernandinho). It is clear that Pellegrini is an excellent manager, particularly his ability to calm what was an extremely volatile dressing room, but is he yet to improve upon the squad he inherited?
Fernandinho (£30 million) – Pellegrini’s first signing and arguably his best. The Brazilian shone last season. His energy and awareness allowed Yaya Toure to roam wherever he pleased. This season he’s struggled to recover from the humiliating exit Brazil suffered at the hands of eventual World Cup winners Germany. Recent games have hinted at a return to form for the midfielder who will be glad of Toure’s imminent return.
Jesus Navas (£14.9 million) – “TAKE HIM ON”. Everyone has an opinion regarding the diminutive Spaniard. He initially seemed to be the winger everyone had hoped Adam Johnson would become. Now he is often the main subject of fans frustrations. Outstanding in the 4-1 victory in last season’s Manchester derby he has since struggled to find his best form and is yet to score this season. Often derided for his poor decision-making and his reluctance to take on backpedalling defenders, Navas still has much to prove.
Alvaro Negredo (£20 million) – The Beast remains a fan favourite despite his loan and eventual move to Valencia. His linkup play with Aguero was magical and he seemed to be the perfect striker. But a season of two halves meant his last goal for City came in January 2014. Hampered by a shoulder injury and feeling homesick, Negredo never again reached his early season form.
Stevan Jovetic (£22 million) – His signing was met with much excitement amongst fans but the injury-prone Montenegrin looks set to leave the club after being removed from the Champions League squad that will take on Barcelona. Undoubtedly talented but consistently unlucky the striker could leave in the summer after only 11 goals for the club.
Fernando (£12 million) – An indifferent start to his City career, the ‘Octopus’ does a lot of the dirty work in the centre of midfield. He compliments Yaya Toure well, acting as cover when Toure decides to romp upfield. He does better away from home when there is more of a threat of conceding wheras at home, in games against the smaller sides, he struggles due to his lack of attacking prowess. In quick passing moves he slows down the play and is guilty of the simple sideways pass, rather than risking anything more.
Eliaquim Mangala (£31.9 million) – The jury is still out on the Frenchman. Brought in as first-choice centre back he’s struggled to keep his place in the side. A dream debut against Chelsea was followed by a horror show against Hull. He might be one for the future and might “come good” but in this time of Financial Fair Play it was a huge sum of money to spend on someone that is totally unproven in the Premier League. Very quick and very strong it’s often his decision making that lets him down.
These six signings cost a whopping £130.8 million and with the restrictions now placed on City due to financial fair play, every penny counts. With the exception of Fernandinho, Pellegrini’s big money signings have all struggled to reach their potential with many of them hampered by the vast price tags that weigh around their necks.
In fact Pellegrini’s shrewdest signings have come in on the cheap. Martin Demichelis and Frank Lampard have added Champions League pedigree and invaluable experience. Similarly, Bacary Sagna, brought in for free, is now starting to prove himself as able cover for Pablo Zabaleta after stifling Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben in high-pressure games.
And now…
Wilfried Bony (£28 million) – A proven goal scorer in the Premier League, he seems to be the ideal replacement to Alvaro Negredo. We will have to wait and see how well the Ivorian links up with our other attackers but his arrival is certainly refreshing. For Pellegrini’s sake I hope that he flourishes in sky blue.
The last marquee signing that City made was Sergio Aguero in 2011, and since then it is he and those that came before him that have been vital to City’s success. An ageing squad means replacements must be brought in sooner rather than later.
This summer City must break the bank again in order to bring in players that can take the club to the next level. Frenzied bidding wars look set to begin over players such as Paul Pogba and City must make sure they are a part of them.
