How Big a Priority Should the Capital One Cup Be for Manchester City?

When Khaldoon Al Mubarak addressed the Manchester City fans at the end of last season, he was clear in his message: He wants to see the Blues fighting aggressively on four fronts and promised heavy investment to ensure it happened.

The chairman has kept his side of the bargain, having sanctioned a spending spree in excess of £150 million, according to Sky Sports.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain and first-team manager Manuel Pellegrini brought in Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph and Kevin De Bruyne—twice breaking the club’s transfer record—as well as youngsters Patrick Roberts and Enes Unal. 

The result has been pretty clear. City look far stronger than at any stage over the past three seasons, and their performances, for the most part, have been exceptional.

They sit atop the Premier League table, despite Saturday’s defeat to West Ham United at the Etihad, and are favourites to reclaim the title.

Improvement in the UEFA Champions League is also a must. Pellegrini knows that after a trophy-less season in 2014/15, he must satisfy the board’s needs. Impacting the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition is high up on their wishlist.

A 2-1 home defeat to Juventus was hardly the start Pellegrini wanted, but he will have been buoyed by some of what he saw. Whereas in the past City have looked uncomfortable in Europe, with nervousness undermining much of their play, they controlled large parts of the game against the Bianconeri and were unlucky to lose.

This week sees City begin their Capital One Cup campaign with a third-round tie away at Sunderland. But how important is the competition given City’s others demands?

Clearly, it ranks fourth on their list of priorities, but that doesn’t mean it lacks importance. City won the trophy in 2013/14 before going on to win the Premier League title in May. Their success in the Capital One Cup provided a midseason fillip, with a major trophy secured early and with minimal fuss.

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

It was the club’s first League Cup win since 1976 and third in their history. City made it to three finals in the competition between 1970-76, a run of results which was a significant part of the club’s most illustrious period.

Pellegrini’s success in 2014, his first major honour as a manager in Europe, brought back some wonderful memories for the club’s older supporters.

Indeed, for many of City fans, the League Cup final of 2014 was a memorable day. With less pressure and a less intense buildup than the FA Cup finals, it provided the travelling supporters with an enjoyable Wembley occasion.

A repeat this season would be unanimously welcomed in the stands at the Etihad.

And with City’s squad in such rude health, there is no reason Pellegrini’s side cannot manage the rigours of four competitions.

The Chilean’s summer spending spree has given him options. City lacked pace and enthusiasm last season. Sterling, signed from Liverpool, has helped solve that problem. The England forward is yet to contribute a truly headline-grabbing display, but his speed and directness have brought so much to a side that was lethargic and lacking balance prior to his arrival.

His initial £44 million move set a new club record, but it was usurped when De Bruyne joined from Wolfsburg for £55 million. Two substitute appearances and one full 90 minutes provide insufficient evidence of his long-term suitability, but he could hardly have done more in his brief time on the pitch to impress.

He is a player whose judgement marks him out as one of the most intelligent in the game. He consistently chooses the right option when in possession of the ball, with an ability to play perfectly weighted passes being his most dangerous weapon.

His touch, movement, work rate, vision and ability to shoot from outside the box will bring so much that City were in desperate need of.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

It’s difficult not to resort to hyperbole when discussing his full debut on Saturday against West Ham. City may have lost the match, a hugely disappointing result that has stalled their momentum somewhat, but De Bruyne was sensational. He constantly wanted the ball and was City’s creative hub.

In the absence of David Silva, who was injured in the warm-up, he was by far the team’s most important player going forward.

Sterling and De Bruyne look set to have a significant impact on the team this season.

And with the club’s young players in need of first-team opportunities to help aid their development, the Capital One Cup is a vitally important competition to be involved in. The further City go, the more chances they will have to shine alongside the club’s senior stars.

Kelechi Iheanacho is currently the club’s leading youngster. The 18-year-old Nigerian has made three appearances for the first team already this season having impressed on City’s preseason tour. He already has his first senior goal—a last-minute winner at Crystal Palace that ensured City’s winning start to the Premier League season extended to five games.

He’s a player with genuine ability, a potentially world-class star. Pellegrini is often extremely cautious when blooding young players into his star-studded line-up, but Iheanacho’s quality is difficult to ignore.

Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic were allowed to leave the club in order to clear the way for the talented youngster.

Patrick Roberts, too, is a young player earmarked for greatness and on the cusp of first-team involvement. Signed from Fulham this summer for an initial £5 million (rising to £11 million with certain add-ons), Roberts, 18, scored a wonderful solo goal for the Elite Development Squad in their recent UEFA Youth League match with Juventus, which caught the eye of everyone in attendance.

He has appeared as a substitute numerous times for Pellegrini’s side already this season, and the Capital One Cup provides his best chance of senior starts.

Even Manu Garcia, still only 17, could feature against Sunderland. Pellegrini consistently name-checked the youngster during the club’s preseason tour, clearly impressed by his mature performances in midfield. 

He immediately struck up an understanding with his compatriot Silva, playing neat one-twos and producing clever, incisive passing combinations with the playmaker.

The League Cup provides something of a paradox. Derided and seen as the least important competition for the big sides, in recent seasons it has provided far more entertainment than the FA Cup. This season’s final is scheduled for the end of February, meaning focus can return to more prestigious pieces of silverware well before the end-of-season climax.

It may be the least of City’s priorities, but it’s a priority nonetheless.

The fans enjoy it, the club want as much success as possible and the young players in need of game time are far likelier to get it in the League Cup.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.