They say all good things come to an end. They say that every end is the start of a new beginning. They say everything happens for a reason. Those adages may well be of little comfort to many Manchester City fans, but Deadline day 2016 appears to have been that end and that new beginning they refer to.
The departures lounge saw considerable action with no fewer than seven players exiting on loan, four of which were major departures, perhaps most notably Joe Hart and Samir Nasri. Additionally, Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony left for pastures new as Pep Guardiola continued to reinvent the squad.
It was possibly only a matter of time before changes on this scale were made after two years of underachievement, but seeing a club icon leave was a bitter pill to swallow. Not only is Hart’s move to Italy a sad sight for Blues, having seen a fresh-faced teenager develop into one of the finest Goalkeepers in Europe, the exit of Samir Nasri is also likely to pull on the heartstrings. Although Nasri was perhaps a touch inconsistent at times, both players were key figures in City’s first English League title in 44 years, and thus part of the best side to wear City blue since the days of black and white television.
Colin Bell, Franny Lee and Mike Summerbee were the key protagonists the last time City had been able to impose themselves at England’s top table. Hart and Nasri played starring roles in making that happen again. Just the mention of their names will evoke wonderful memories for years to come.
It is memories and events like that first title in nearly half a century that make such change difficult to comprehend, especially for a club that had experienced such a tumultuous history prior to that memorable day in 2008. Fans that had seen nothing but struggle for numerous seasons finally had something to celebrate and saying goodbye to those that brought that is not easy.
However, after two years of stagnation (arguably regression), difficult decisions were necessary. There couldn’t be a better man in charge to make those choices either. Pep Guardiola has pedigree when it comes to situations similar to those that face him at City. He was the man who decided that Ronaldinho and Deco no longer had a place at Barcelona before building one of the greatest sides in the history of the game. Whilst it is understandable to feel disappointment and concern at such key figures moving on, unequivocal trust should be placed in Señor Guardiola.
Hart and Nasri were the most high profile names to leave as the window slammed shut, but they were also joined by Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony, two expensive additions that never managed to produce the level required. Guardiola has begun to shape the squad to his meticulous requirements, and the benefits are already being reaped. It is palpable that he is searching for ways and means to improve the club. City had almost become a team without a real identity; a team that was considered a bit of a soft touch; a team without that fear factor. Those days are over now, a new found desire, dexterity and fleetness coursing through the veins of the squad.
Casualties were inevitable, it comes with the territory. Yes, a couple were difficult to take and difficult to accept, but it signals a changing of the guard – a new era. Football has natural cycles, peaks and troughs. The cycle of City’s title winning side of 2012 had just that. That cycle has now finished with a new, fascinating era commencing.
This new phase has been in the making for a number of years now, suspense and excitement building throughout. Now that it has arrived we must back Guardiola to the hilt, even when some of his decisions may perplex even his most ardent followers. He has made tough calls previously, and he will make more in the future. His track record is second to none, and while it is right to mourn the passing of a great period in the Club’s history, we should look forward with much enthusiasm to what could be an even better one. Nobody knows for certain what the future may hold, but the early signs suggest it is not to be missed.
