5 Areas for Eliaquim Mangala to Improve on with Manchester City Next Season

It was never going to be easy for Eliaquim Mangala in his debut season for Manchester City.

It took a huge fee to bring him to the Etihad from Porto. He was the club’s major summer signing in 2014 and, as a result, there was intense focus on his performances.

The form of his teammates during the early weeks of the season was mixed, leaving Mangala horribly exposed and struggling to integrate himself into the side.

Nervousness crept into his game, and he struggled to show his best form, but with Vincent Kompany injured and out of form, manager Manuel Pellegrini gave him a starting berth for the final six games, and he made huge strides, looking much more assured and composed.

Next season will be key for the Frenchman. He needs a good start to the campaign to establish himself in the starting XI once again. He has the talent to be City’s first-choice centre-back for years to come, but he has to make improvements to his game if he's to succeed. 

Here are five areas for him to focus on next season.

1. Concentration

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It was clear at times last season that Mangala suffered concentration issues. He would veer frantically from the sublime to the ridiculous—sometimes within minutes. 

Much of this was down to nerves. He often looked over-eager to impress—to show his critics he was, in fact, a good player. City will be hoping his run of games towards the end of the campaign, when he looked much more relaxed, is a precursor to next season. 

2. Reading the Game

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Reading the game is a huge part of a defender's job and, thus far, Mangala has shown weaknesses in this area since arriving at City. He can be too easily sucked towards the ball in a reckless manner, leaving space in behind that means City are left exposed. 

City's technical staff will be working hard to improve his ability to anticipate the play. Experience will help, and at 23, he has plenty of time to make improvements, but there's plenty of work his coaches can do in the meantime to assist his development in that area. 

3. Defending Set Pieces

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This is an issue that extends beyond Mangala. City were too often disorganised and vulnerable at set pieces, and work must be done on the training ground to rectify the situation. 

Under Roberto Mancini, City were much more diligent when defensive play was concerned. Pellegrini is a purist, who cares much more about an open, attacking style, but perhaps some extra set-play work would benefit his side. 

4. Being Part of a More Settled Lineup

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One of the biggest obstacles that prevented Mangala showing his best form, particularly early in the campaign, was the turbulence around him. 

He had different centre-back partners, changing left-backs who were both woefully out of form and defensive midfielders in front of him, who were also rotated and struggling to find their best level. 

Given he has had time to settle and understand their games in more depth, and with City surely set for a better start to the next campaign, Mangala's cause will be helped significantly. 

5. Belief

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Much of his Mangala's problems can be categorised under a lack of belief. 

He needs to believe in his quality. He possesses pace, strength and unbelievable athleticism—a mix of attributes every defender would want. There's very little stopping him becoming an excellent player.

His play appeared to be inhibited last season. It's time to show people what he's capable of.