Eliaquim Mangala's Improved Form Is Vital to Manchester City's European Hopes

If only Manchester City had played like they did against Chelsea on Saturday throughout the season. If they had, Manuel Pellegrini would be closing in on his second Premier League trophy in three seasons.

As it is, their improved form, which has seen them win three league games in succession for the first time since the early weeks of the season, will, if continued, secure them a top-four finish and ensure UEFA Champions League football when Pep Guardiola arrives. This squad, with all its quality, should have demanded more.

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Here's where that result leaves @MCFC... pic.twitter.com/cafordv9Xe

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 16, 2016"

Their 3-0 win over the Blues was impressive. They moved the ball quickly and with purpose. They controlled the game from start to finish and were wonderfully effective on the counter. They sent a message to those who feel they have no chance against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Chelsea may have been below par all season, but this was a special display.

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick, his fifth for City, and moved on to 99 Premier League goals for the club. Pellegrini, who set his side up perfectly and managed to rest some overworked players, notched his 100th win as City manager. Yaya Toure looked back to his best, Fernandinho continued his incredible form and Kevin De Bruyne is, quite simply, the best player in the league in recent weeks.

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WATCH: Manuel Pellegrini on Manchester City's form.

Full interview: https://t.co/9TFDbLyOn9 https://t.co/xgA1LnWEa9

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 16, 2016"

But it’s perhaps Eliaquim Mangala who best embodies City’s recent improvement most acutely. Mangala has emerged as a star after another season of inconsistency.

Over the two Champions League quarter-final legs played against Paris Saint-Germain, he was one of the stars, using all of his considerable physical assets to contain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria, a frightening forward line on paper.

Against Chelsea, he was superb. Not only was he quick, strong and athletic—all the things we know he can be—he was assured and measured, comfortable in possession and he expertly anticipated danger. It was another superb display, and there’s been a clear improvement since he got back into the side in mid-March.

The fact he’s playing alongside Nicolas Otamendi, a player whose recklessness often causes unnecessary danger, and still producing such accomplished displays says a lot.

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WATCH: Graeme Souness on the 'magicians' at Man City. https://t.co/PTG3lPaFEi

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 16, 2016"

Can it continue? His time at City has been riddled with costly errors. It looked likely a few weeks ago that he would be sacrificed in the summer, with the club likely to take a huge hit on the transfer fee they shelled out in the summer of 2013 when they bought him from Porto.

Now, as he begins to look comfortable, it would suddenly be very interesting to see what effect the incoming Guardiola, a manger known for improving his players, can have. In terms of raw, natural attributes, Mangala has everything. It's only ever been a case of improving his concentration and ability to read the game.

The watching Guardiola will have been impressed by Mangala in recent weeks, and, indeed, the rest of the squad. He will want to make changes when he takes over, stamp his authority on the club and begin shaping it in his own image, but he has some handy tools to work with. De Bruyne, in particular, is operating at a world-class level right now.

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

He has a big call to make about the 24-year-old Frenchman, though. Guardiola likes to play a particular style, with an ability to play out from the back essential. Whether he feels Mangala is capable remains to be seen.

But for now, his form is key to Pellegrini. The Chilean wants to leave a winner. With Vincent Kompany so often injured and Otamendi a liability, Mangala's performances will be vital.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.