Champions League Omission Begins Sad End to Stevan Jovetic's Man City Career

Manchester City have confirmed their Champions League squad for the remainder of the campaign, with Stevan Jovetic making way for new signing Wilfried Bony in a shakeup that surely signals the end of the Montenegrin’s career at the Etihad.

City are set to play Barcelona in the last 16 after scraping through their group with two wins in their final two matches.

Jovetic has struggled in recent weeks to make an impact on the side when given chances, and it seems a move away from City this summer is likely.

He has just five goals from 23 appearances in all competitions this season. In recent weeks, with injuries finally allowing him something close to a consistent run of games to stake his claim for a permanent place in the side, he has failed to impress.

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After his first season was ruined by injury layoffs but interspersed with moments of real quality during fleeting appearances, this season has been less promising, despite his fitness issues improving somewhat.

His willingness to show for the ball and take risks is admirable, but right now he isn’t delivering the goals or performances needed to prove he can fulfill his obvious potential.

The arrival of Bony, for an initial £23 million from Swansea, meant City boss Manuel Pellegrini had to decide who would be sacrificed to allow the Ivorian into the squad.

He looks like the perfect foil for Sergio Aguero, and it’s a sign of the expectations the club have for Bony that Jovetic has been mercilessly removed to accommodate the new man.

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There were other candidates for the Champions League axe who were ultimately spared the ignominy of being removed. Some had speculated about Willy Caballero making way, leaving Richard Wright, who had to be in the squad due to his homegrown status, as the only backup to Joe Hart.

That was a non-starter, though. Not only because of his close relationship with Pellegrini, but because it would be too much of a risk. Hart’s injury record is exemplary, but if City found themselves in a situation where Wright was called upon to play in Europe’s elite knockout competition, it would be hugely negligent and embarrassing. Wright is yet to make a single appearance after three years at City.

Full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov, whose form has been a huge concern in recent months, and Bacary Sagna were also in the frame to be chopped. However, with Pellegrini’s penchant for rotating in positions where energy expenditure is high, both remain part of the club’s European plans.

It meant a straight fight between Jovetic and Edin Dzeko. City’s Bosnian forward has also struggled for form this term, bagging just four goals in all competitions, having suffered a niggling calf injury which led to two spells on the sidelines.

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Dzeko has proven unequivocally in the past that he is capable of delivering goals and performances when it really matters, though—Jovetic has nowhere near the same reassuring pedigree.

What’s become increasingly clear is the fact that Jovetic isn’t a striker, preferring instead to drop between the lines to try to create in the way a No. 10 would. However, City are blessed with a number of options in that role, players far more adept than Jovetic. Therefore, his importance to the side has come under serious question.

Given that fact, and now his Champions League snub, surely a summer move is on the cards? According to Paul Clennam of Goal, Juventus lodged an official bid in January, and the likelihood is they will remain interested in his situation.

His injury record probably gives them room to drive the price down, but his stock in Italy remains high after his impressive spell at Fiorentina before his move to City.

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.