Does Striker Stevan Jovetic Have a Future at Manchester City?

The signing of Wilfried Bony, many feel, could give Manchester City an edge in what will almost certainly be a tight title race with Chelsea. Fine margins look set to determine the destination of the Premier League trophy come May, and the goals and the linkup play the Ivorian can provide could prove vital.

Bony's arrival could also have an impact on Stevan Jovetic’s future, both in the short and the long term. His place in the side is now even less secure than before, especially since he could make way for Bony in City’s Champions League squad. More drastic is the idea he could be sold—either in January or, as is more likely, in the summer—with Juventus leading the way for his signature, according to a report by Simon Jones of the Mail Online.

It would be a disappointing end to a spell at City which, in truth, has never got going for the Montenegrin. Injuries wrecked much of his first season, and now, with chances somewhat more plentiful this time around, he has fallen short of the level needed to command a permanent place in the side.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He was afforded time and sympathy last season. He made just three league appearances before the end of January after a series of muscle injuries kept him from establishing anything remotely constituting rhythm. Even after that, he struggled to stay fit consistently. Ten more league appearances yielded just three goals, but there were signs of a talented player emerging, if he could stay fit.

A lovely touch and a feel for the game, as well as a desire to show for the ball and try to make things happen for the side, suggested a player with genuine talent who could add something special to City's already eclectic attacking mix.

His preseason in America was excellent, and it looked, for the first time during his City career, as if he had put his injury troubles behind him. Jovetic would be like a new signing—different to the other forwards at the club and one with a point to prove.

However, it simply hasn’t happened. Injuries continue to blight him, as does his inability to fit comfortably into the side.

What’s become increasingly clear this season is that Jovetic is a No. 10, a player who operates outside of the box and looks to create and link play. He isn’t a player who can lead the line, either on his own, as he tried to against Everton, or as one half of a partnership.

That is his biggest problem. City are blessed with players capable of playing the withdrawn striker role far better than Jovetic, and as such, his usefulness and suitability to the squad is questionable.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

He’s managed just 11 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions since his arrival from Fiorentina, a record which simply isn’t good enough, and he must now be wondering how many more chances he will get to add to his tally.

Rather than complementing those around him, his presence appears to be stifling City’s play. His performances against Sheffield Wednesday and Everton were particularly poor, underlined by his erratic finishing and confusing interplay. Whether he ever fully recovers remains to be seen.

If City do decide to sell him, whoever takes the risk—and his injury record means it most certainly would be a risk—would be getting a player with genuine potential. He has good feet and, at times, has shown wonderful ability, yet he isn’t the right fit for City. That looks unlikely to change any time soon, particularly given the arrival of Bony.

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 are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.