And so a brand new season in the Barclays Premier League beckons for Manchester City and the goal for the club is simple, win back the league title from rivals Chelsea and improve on last season’s trophyless campaign.
The Blues will also be looking to quickly return to domestic cup success after being dumped out of both the FA Cup and League Cup at home last season in early rounds, to what some would call lesser teams to City.
Another defining aspect of the forthcoming season will be the position of boss Manuel Pellegrini, after surviving the sack this summer despite widespread speculation. The Chilean will without doubt have to return the club to the summit of the Premier League as well as improve on the club’s European ambitions, albeit to save his job.
With the introduction of summer signings including Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph the Blues have certainly bolstered their squad in preparation for a battle on all four trophy fronts.
Sterling has already shown in pre-season that he has a hunger for victory, looking a constant threat on the ball, meanwhile Delph is likely to add protection to central midfield as Yaya Toure is bound to commit further forward in matches.
Further signings of youngsters Patrick Roberts and Enes Unal shows the club’s plans to introduce youth over the season, with Marcos Lopes, Kelechi Iheanacho and 16-year-old Cameron Humphreys rising through the City Academy, pushing for a spot in the first-team squad.
Barclays Premier League:
City will be expected to challenge once again for the Premier League title, along with rivals Chelsea and a strengthened Manchester United. Some might say the club’s boardroom will expect nothing less than a third title in five years.
If there is such a thing as fate then City’s league campaign looks promising as the Blues win the title (11/12), then finish second (12/13), then win it again (13/14), then finish second (14/15), and so this season (15/16) looks like there’s only one outcome for Pellegrini and his men.
Sergio Aguero will look to continue his outstanding goal-scoring form after winning last season’s Golden Boot and with an attacking partner in Raheem Sterling, the goals should come thick and fast. Meanwhile club captain Vincent Kompany has already spoken out about improving his own fitness and reducing the amount of mistakes and goals conceded from last season. The Belgian will be looking to be given a permanent centre-back partner for the season, rather than last season’s constant chopping and changing throughout the back four.
Final League Position: 1st (Fate suggests it); 2nd (at worst)
Achievements: League Top Scorers, Best Goal Difference, Golden Glove, Player’s Golden Boot
FA Cup and League Cup:
Last season was nothing short of a disappointment for Pellegrini’s side as they were knocked out at home to Championship side Middlesborough and a depleted Newcastle United side in the FA Cup and League Cup respectively.
With additions being made to the City squad and ultimately an improvement of strength in depth, many will want to see City return to domestic cup success, especially following Pellegrini’s first season in charge where the Blues were victorious in the League Cup Final against Sunderland.
FA Cup: Semi-Finalists (at worst)
League Cup: Finalists
Champions League:
A competition that continues to frustrate City despite competing amongst Europe’s elite for the last four seasons in a row. It would seem that the initial draws have never been kind to the Blues, before they’ve even kicked a ball, many have jumped on the bandwagon to doubt City in their quest for Champions League glory.
Whilst a lot of fans and neutrals expected City to win the competition in their first season due to the financial superiority over many clubs, this was never to be the case and the City board knew that. However it has now got to a stage where Pellegrini has had two cracks at continental domination and has failed to reach the quarter-finals on both occasions, albeit Barcelona were in the way both times.
Both manager and squad will be under scrutiny from fans and the board alike to improve and proceed into the last eight of the competition at least. Given the new Group Stage draw layout, City could be given an easier group than in previous seasons, and therefore progression into the latter stages will be expected.
Champions League: Quarter/ Semi-Finalists (avoid Barcelona at least)
As many Blues fans will understand that it will be extremely difficult to win all four possible trophies, they and the club will at least expect improvements from last season and at minimal a drive and aspiration to win every game no-matter what competition it is, even if it is against Barcelona in the last-16 again!
What this effectively means is that there will have to be a shake-up in tactics from boss Pellegrini as City were found out on too many occasions in the Champions League when trying to play a 4-4-2 formation against a midfield-masterclass like Bayern Munich or Barcelona.
While City will need to hit the ground running in the Premier League against West Brom, Pellegrini is bound to rotate the squad when playing in the domestic cups, looking to introduce youth and potential for fans to see possible future City stars.
What is key for the club and the fans is that the Etihad Stadium returns to its former glory and what it deserves to be, a place to be feared by any team, even Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. A return of Fortress Etihad would see the fans get behind the team in every match, no matter the opposition.
City are among Europe’s elite. They should not fear any side, and they should certainly not be defeated in their own backyard by lesser teams.
