The 2014/15 season can only be described as a major disappointment on every front for Manchester City. The limp defence of their Premier League crown, the shock FA Cup exit to Middlesbrough and the poor showing in Capital One Cup have left players’ and coaches’ futures in doubt. A slight rebuilding process must take place in the summer, but here are five reasons why Manchester City will become Premier League champions for the third time in five years in 2015/16.
1) The pattern
Excluding the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus, European clubs would settle for a league title every other season, and that is the emerging pattern for City. The hardcore fans at the Etihad will be pleased with the ratio of league titles to seasons, but what they will want to change is the defence of their crown the following season. According to the pattern, City will win the title in the 2015/16 season and then finish as runners-up the next season. This consistency of league performances is also the best in the league. City’s average league position over the past four seasons is 1.5, compared to arch rivals Manchester United’s average league position of 3.25 and Chelsea’s of 2.75. This consistency cannot be ignored by rival teams and, more importantly, Manchester City fans themselves.
2) Signings
No matter who is in charge at City, Sheikh Mansour will ensure that the club go further in domestic and European competitions than in 2014/15. A big rebuilding process was reported to be taken place but I expect quality over quantity this summer. City currently lead the race for French prodigy Paul Pogba and former Chelsea playmaker Kevin De Bruyne., according to some reports. After last season’s suffering from Financial Fair Play, City are allowed to spend however much they wish and these two players will be top of their wishlist. Both can provide an attacking threat and Pogba possess defensive traits which would be used to perfection in the Premier League. Dimtri Seluk, Yaya Toure’s agent, also stated last month that he expects the Ivorian to remain at the club this summer after numerous sports broadcasting outlets reported the former Barcelona man’s intentions to leave the Etihad, with Inter Milan his preferred destination.
3) The resurgence of Joe Hart
When City were first bidding to retain their Premier League trophy and when they won it for a second time in three years, Hart suffered an extended period of bad form. He was dropped for large Romanian Costel Pantilimon during Manuel Pellegrini’s first season in charge. Hart’s poor form also led to Pellegrini feeling that the signing of Willy Caballero was needed. However, Hart returned to the form of his career in the 2014/15 season, claiming the Premier League’s illustrious Golden Glove with 14 clean sheets. And, despite a disappointing season at the Etihad, players like Hart and Aguero were congratulated for their individual standard of performances. If Hart can remain in this form, it already provides City with an advantage over their fellow title rivals.
4) Strength in depth
City, in my opinion, have the best squad in the league. Whereas, Chelsea have the best team in the league. Chelsea have the ability to field the best side in the Premier League but as soon as they are faced with an injury crisis, the quality of the team that they field falls quickly. City’s bench often features players like Samir Nasri, WIlfried Bony and Edin Dzeko. Three players who can come off of the bench and change a match. They are the only team in the Premier League to have this at their disposal. It is granted that all of the top sides have at least one impact substitute, but City are the only team who can make three changes, with all of them, almost certainly, having a positive impact on the match. The addition of world-class players to the squad will only further this. Pellegrini will not always have to rely on the team that he fields winning them the match and that is what you need if you want to dominate in competitions, just like Arsenal’s invicible squad in 2003/04.
5) Atmosphere at the Etihad
It is a well-known fact that Manchester City fans receive of lot of abuse for having empty seats at their stadium, with the stadium often labelled the “Emptihad” by supporters of other teams. However, throughout the 2014/15 season, a brand new stand has been installed. This stand will feature 16,000 new seats and most will be awarded to patient fans, who have been on a season ticket waiting list for some time. It is reported that City fans have arranged to make a few of the blocks “Singing Stands”. If these reports are true, then the atmosphere will increase massively at the Etihad and, if the players have done this well with a “poor atmosphere”, imagine how fired up they will get with 16,000 more people chanting their names. Over the next few seasons, we will witness the atmospheric development of the Etihad from a hostile atmosphere to a loud, noisy ground. This could be just what the players need to further the club’s progress. Remember, a club is nothing with fans.
