Futbol Chronicles: Manchester City Can Be a Powerhouse Sooner Than Later

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Manchester City have the makings of being a new football superpower in England, and perhaps in Europe as well. They have the talent and they have a manager in Mark Hughes who could potentially lead the club to greener pastures.

Players such as Elano, Ireland, Phillips, Kompany, Micah Richards, Robinho, Barry, and now possibly Eto and Tevez would propel Manchester City to even challenge for the Premiership title if Mark Hughes utilizes them properly while playing his cards right.

One must not forget the awesome array of young talent that Manchester have at their disposal in the academy as well, so that too would have to be taken into consideration.

Manchester United are still the team to beat in the new Premiership season, but clubs such as Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton, and Chelsea would come with question marks.

Chelsea have had probably the most quiet of all offseasons in recent memory, their only big signings coming the in the shape of Russian playmaker Yuri Zhirkov and English forward Daniel Sturridge.

It also doesn't help that most of Chelsea's star players such as Lampard, Drogba, Terry, and Ballack are already in their or are entering their 30s, a period where a player's form begins to dip off in spades.

Arsenal have done nothing of major sorts asides from signing Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, but even his signing does little to dampen the rumors of Arsenal's star players Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas possibly leaving the club, despite the two recently affirming their desire to stay at the Emirates.

Aston Villa, as compared to Everton, look like the club with the most problems: They still have the same squad, minus Garreth Barry, and they don't have the depth that may be required to compete further down the line for a possible top four finish.

Everton are a classic example of a club that always hovers around in the middle—not a top-four finish but not too far from from it.

At least Everton can argue that they have a place in Europe for this upcoming season, but beyond that remains little to be excited about.

Whether the club can keep up their competitive play in future seasons largely depends on their financial ability to bring in new players, and the Kirkby stadium issue that is dogging the club.

Which leaves Manchester United and Liverpool as the only serious threats to City's ambitions of domestic and future European success.

Liverpool will once again provide the main challenge to Manchester United's grip should Rafa Benitez remain at the helm and bring in fresher legs as well.

However, there are rumors that Liverpool's resolve could possibly weaken with a potential signing of Xabi Alonso and defensive counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid.  Mascherano is another worry, with Spanish champions Barcelona knocking at his door as well.

Here's a simple prediction of Manchester City for the upcoming season: The club will finish anywhere between third and fifth, therefore qualifying for Europe, Arsenal will fall off the rails this time to make way for City to take their place.

Robinho will be the among the leading scorers of the Premiership, and Tevez and Eto'o would form the best striking partnership in the league.  Manchester City will upset the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea during the season, and also challenge for the glory in the FA Cup as well.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?