2014/15 EPL season preview: Manchester City

Last year was tough, but Manuel Pelligrini faces even more of a challenge this time around, so has strengthened in all the key areas.

What happened last season
Pushed to the absolute brink by Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool FC, in the end City were too strong and consistent, mixing some breathtaking and ruthless attack with an unwavering spirit and determination to win a second title in three seasons.

Professional best describes this City team. A tone set by their Chilean manager Pellegrini, their success was defined by the fact they were the team with the fewest weaknesses.

While centre of defence looked far from championship material in the early going, Pellegrini was able to find enough of a solution through Martin Demichelis to get the job done.

It gave us an insight into his pragmatic and resourceful football mind.

Meanwhile, Yaya Toure continued to produce dynamite out of midfield, while David Silva provided the magic in the front third. While they didn’t reach the final stages of the Champions League, they made it out of the group, and that’s progress.

What happened in the off-season
Stability and consolidation have been the buzz words for so many teams during the off-season, and this is also the approach taken by Pellegrini.

While there have been a few departures (including Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Jack Rodwell), they appear even stronger thanks to the arrival of Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna, Fernando, Willy Caballero, Bruno Zuculini and, at least for half a season, Frank Lampard.

Pellegrini seems to be particularly loud about landing France’s central defender Mangala from Porto, believing his physicality, technique and mentality will prove an instant hit in the EPL and that he’ll form a rock solid pairing with Vincent Kompany.

Meanwhile, Caballero pushes Joe Hart.

The other player that has emerged to become a key member in the pre-season is Stevan Jovetic

Why Manchester City fans should be excited about the 2014/15 season
With Jovetic seemingly ready to put a disappointing opening season behind him, City appear stronger across all areas, despite the sanctions imposed under the financial fair play rules.

The main man that can carries Manchester City’s 2014/15 hopes
It’s obvious, I know, and I chose him as the key man last season, but it’s hard to go past Toure.

With Mangala joining Kompany, the defence should be better than last season, but once again it falls on Toure to be the driving link between the defence and attack.

Not far behind him in terms of his influence is the front-third creator David Silva, and it should be fun watching he, Sami Nasri, Kun Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Jesus Navas link with Jovetic.

Verdict – title contender
Last season was as open, thrilling and tight a title race as one can remember, but this one looks even more competitive.

Those around City have strengthened. The neighbour has brought in Louis van Gaal, Chelsea and Liverpool have added more depth, Arsenal look stronger, while Tottenham have been able to bring in Mauricio Pochettino, a manager I have much time for.

Yet City, by virtue of their depth and quality, and Pelligrini’s calm, should still be right in the mix and are undoubtedly the one to beat.

If Mangala proves a success, as Pellegrini seems confident he will, then the defence is strengthened, while Jovetic is like a fresh signing up top and adds to the quality of Silva, Aguero, Dzeko, Nasri and Navas.

Yet the challenge is extremely tough, especially with City keen to go deep in Europe.

Last season I was fairly confident at the start that City were the champions in waiting, but I can’t be as certain this time around. Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho are as formidable a pair of protagonists as you will find, while Brendan Rodgers, Arsene Wenger and Pochettino will play an expansive and rapid brand of football that will stretch and test the other three.

Pelligrini will be tested in every facet this season, but when push comes to shove, he’ll come out in the home stretch fighting for the title with van Gaal, with Mourinho, Rodgers and Wenger chasing hard, and not too far off.

Manchester City team to compete in 2014/15
Goalkeeper: (na) Willy Caballero, (1) Joe Hart, (29) Richard Wright.

Defender: (38) Dedryk Boyata, (22) Gael Clichy, (26) Martin Demichelis, (13) Aleksandar Kolarov, (4) Vincent Kompany, (33) Matija Nastasic, (44) Karim Rekik, (2) Micah Richards, (3) Bacary Sagna, (5) Pablo Zabaleta.

Midfield: (21) David Silva, (25) Fernandinho, (6) Fernando, (14) Javi Garcia, (15) Jesus Navas, (18) Frank Lampard, (7) James Milner, (8) Samir Nasri, (11) Scott Sinclair, (42) Yaya Toure, (na) Bruno Zuculini.

Forwards: (16) Kun Aguero, (9) Alvaro Negredo, (10) Edin Dzeko, (60) John Guidetti, (35) Stevan Jovetic.