Where Can Manchester City Improve Defensively in 2015?

For a team to be strong defensively, it takes far more than just a good back line. It’s a collective responsibility that falls on each player, with defending from the front just as important as stoic, last-line defending, which is where Manchester City haven’t received enough credit under Manuel Pellegrini.

To play such an open, attacking system, like the one City use under the Chilean, each member of the side must demonstrate a desire to work hard without the ball, to defend in numbers and not allow opponents to steal a yard.

This City squad is full of talented individuals who are also incredibly hard-working and determined—a mix which saw them lift the Premier League and the League Cup last season, only the second time the club has managed such a feat in its history.

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Jesus Navas, for example, is known as a flying winger positioned high up the field, looking to take on full-backs and provide crosses into the box; however, anyone who watches the Spaniard closely will know just how disciplined he is defensively. He rarely, if ever, lets Pablo Zabaleta down when the opposition attack down City’s right.

And Navas is far from alone. Samir Nasri, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho—the list of City players whose hard work is a key part of the side’s style of play goes on.

In terms of the club’s defenders, though, there have been a few issues which could certainly be improved in the coming year.

Firstly, and probably the most difficult to fix, is Vincent Kompany’s injury problems. Kompany is not only the best defender at the club, he is also the on-field leader—the man whose presence brings the best out of those around him.

The problem for City over the last two-and-a-half seasons has been that he’s missed 30 league games. They have coped rather well without him this term, but in previous campaigns, his absence has badly affected City’s form.

Quite why Kompany sustains so many muscle injuries remains a mystery, but clearly, the club’s medical staff must find a solution. Aguero spent the second half of last season blighted by muscle problems, but this season, with a careful fitness programme implemented, he has remained strain-free (His latest layoff was caused by an unfortunate knee injury after a fall against Everton, rather than a recurrence of previous problems).

For City’s defensive record to improve, their captain and star defender needs to be available more regularly.

The club attempted this summer to recruit a long-term partner for Kompany after years of chopping and changing. Joleon Lescott, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis have all regularly played alongside Kompany in recent seasons, but ultimately, all have limitations.

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Lescott was uncomfortable in possession which didn’t suit Pellegrini’s system, Nastasic was injury-plagued and couldn’t find the rhythm needed to impress the manager, and Demichelis, although exceptional, is 34 and far from a long-term option.

In came Eliaquim Mangala, a 23-year-old Frenchman signed from Porto. The club have invested huge money in him and clearly feel he has the potential to be a world-class player, yet, so far, he’s been somewhat hit-or-miss.

Clearly, the natural attributes he possesses—lightning speed, incredible upper-body strength and an almost unnatural leap—mean his potential is huge, but his City career thus far has encompassed both the sublime and the bizarre.

Nervousness and poor decision-making appear to be his main problems, as well as his footwork, which is causing him difficulties, and working with him to improve his game will be high up the list of priorities for the club’s technical staff.

There’s a top player in there somewhere, but it needs teasing out on the training pitch over the coming months.

Another area in need of attention is left-back, which remains a position lacking strength in depth. Whereas City possess options in every other area of the squad, the same cannot be said in that area. Surely in the summer transfer window the club will look to strengthen in that department.

Gael Clichy’s form has turned around dramatically, and he is now playing with confidence and belief—an attacking outlet with the ability to damage the opposition and a sure, steady influence defensively.

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His understudy, Aleksandar Kolarov, however, is struggling for form, and, in truth, has rarely looked like a top-quality player since his move from Lazio in 2010. He cost the club £17 million, a huge sum for a defender, yet his lack of positional sense has too often undermined the value he can add going forward.

Ensuring better quality cover for Clichy, or, indeed, uncovering a long-term, first-choice option, would allow Pellegrini the opportunity to rotate his left-back as often as he does with other positions on the pitch without fear of lessening the potential of his side.

City’s work ethic and team spirit means they will always defend well as a unit, yet clearly, there are certain elements of their back four which need some work. Pellegrini and his staff will know full well what they have to do to improve, and implementing those improvements could be the difference between more success and a barren season.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.