Why Edin Dzeko Is Under Most Pressure for Manchester City Following Stoke Game

In the draw with Hull City last weekend, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini returned to the 4-4-2 formation that served him so well for much of last season, having switched to something close to a 4-2-3-1 system in recent months.

Edin Dzeko returned to the side to partner Sergio Aguero up front. Both have had injury problems this season, and neither—until the Argentine’s wonderful display in the 4-1 win at Stoke—had hit the heights they're capable of since returning. This, you felt, was a great opportunity for the two to find some form again after a disjointed few weeks.

Neither impressed, though. One moment of magic—a wonderful right-foot control followed by a blistering left-foot strike off the bar—from Aguero aside, and neither offered much, at all. City’s overall showing was a large contributing factor, but even so the pair underwhelmed.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

In truth, they have never played consistently well together. Over the years, they’ve shown moments of excellence in tandem, but it’s never quite felt like the right blend of attributes to assert themselves as a world-class pair.

Despite his tepid display against Hull, Aguero kept his place for the match with Stoke for obvious reasons. He’s City’s best striker, the most lethal finisher in the Premier League and, perhaps, Europe. It’s in City’s interests to get him fully match fit and firing because so many of their best results come when he’s at the top of his game.

And he repaid his manager’s faith with a performance reminiscent of his early-season form, skipping beyond defenders with his searing pace and scoring two goals, his first an unstoppable shot from the corner of the 18-yard box after a surging run from deep.

He played as a lone striker, with the mercurial David Silva just in behind looking to float and create chances. It worked superbly. Silva was at his best at the same time as Aguero, and that is City’s best combination.

It leaves Dzeko struggling to command a first-team place for the moment. His qualities mean he will always play a role—his history of scoring vital goals will ensure that will always be the case—but the Aguero-Silva axis was so dominant in what was City’s best performance since Boxing Day that, for now, he will face some time on the sidelines.

Even more problematic for Dzeko, though, is the arrival of Wilfried Bony. He is likely to be available for selection against Newcastle United in just over a week’s time, and having spent an initial £23 million to secure his services, and with Stevan Jovetic making way from City’s Champions League squad to accommodate him, it’s clear Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager, has high hopes for his new recruit.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Dzeko’s four goals in 23 appearances hardly forces Pellegrini’s hand, either. He needs to accept the current situation and make sure that when he gets chances he takes them in the way he knows he can. His miss when through on goal in the latter stages at the Britannia will have been hugely frustrating for a player in such desperate need of a goal.

The Bosnian's qualities are clear. He scores important goals at important times, so often the saviour for City in their hour of need. His goals in the run-in to last season's title win were hugely significant and surely played on Pellegrini's mind when he decided Dzeko would remain in his European squad rather than Jovetic.

For now, though, the system that incorporates Silva just behind Dzeko works well, and Bony will be given time to prove his worth. Dzeko will need to be patient.

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.