2011-12 Manchester City Preview

It doesn't seem that long ago that Manchester City lifted the FA Cup and finished a successful season in May.  City finished third in the Premier League table (level on points with Chelsea) and secured Champions League Football for the first time. 

Now the stakes and expectations are raised higher for City.  No longer is just getting to the Champions League good enough.  No longer is merely finishing near the top of the Premier League good enough.  With the money invested into the team and the club as a whole, Manchester City's owners want more.

Last season, the Blues got the toughest part of business out of the way.  It has been said that winning the first trophy is always the hardest.  Alex Ferguson took four years to achieve his first success at United, and the supporters there wanted him sacked.  Once he got his first, the trophies rolled in.  Whether that happens at City is to be determined.  However, one thing is for sure: City are now a force to be reckoned with.

This season, Roberto Mancini has a more experienced, trophy-winning squad (finally) to pick from. 

Today we look at each part of City's team and get a clear understanding of whether they're ready to take that next step. 

Goalkeeper: Last summer, Joe Hart took the starting gloves from Shay Given and never looked back.  In a season where he won the Golden Glove (most clean sheets), Hart backstopped City in sometimes spectacular style. 

When City started last season at White Hart Lane, Hart was sensational in taking the point.  He had a few minor mistakes but handled the pressure like a seasoned veteran.  His performance in the FA Cup semifinal against United solidified him as a top Premier League Goalkeeper. 

The only question mark for City is: Who will be the backup?  City have Stuart Taylor on their books, but they would like to bring in someone with better experience after the departure of Given to Aston Villa.

Preseason Grade: A-.  Joe Hart is England's No. 1, City need a backup.

Defenders: Manchester City finished the season with only 33 goals conceded.  Much of that is due to the leadership of Vincent Kompany and the management style of Mancini. 

Before Mancini took over, City were leaking goals left and right at crucial times.  Mancini understood that in order to win, he had to close the floodgates.  As last season moved on, the back four became more organized, and Mancini allowed his players to gradually move forward more often. 

Mancini did fix the troublesome position of left back by picking up Gaël Clichy from Arsenal, as Aleksandar Kolarov failed to impress in his first season at City.  Mancini will also count on his devoted Pablo Zabaleta.  Zabaleta is the perfect utility player and is a key member of this squad.  His work rate and devotion to his team make him a critical part of City's success this season. 

In the central defense, Kompany and Joleon Lescott formed a very good pairing towards the end of the season.  I look for that pairing to improve this season.  Mancini also picked up young Stefan Savic to provide more depth.  Savic is a versatile young player who is still developing, so I don't believe he will see regular action as a starter. 

Mancini will also count on Micah Richards to pick up the slack at right back.  Richards, whose talent has never been questioned, saw his stock rise last season, He will be looking to improve on his 2010-11 campaign and finally lock down his starting spot in Manchester City's back four.

Other players to watch for: Kolo Toure*, Dedryck Boyata.

Preseason Grade: A-. It still remains to be seen if Clichy is the answer at left back.  Giving up the fewest goals in the Premier League last season gives me the confidence that they will be a solid unit again this season.

Midfield: City's mains strengths can be found in the midfield.  With Nigel de Jong, Yaya Touré and Gareth Barry as the preferred choices in the central positions, Mancini has a group of experienced, battle-hardened players whom he can count on.  These players were instrumental in last season's FA Cup run and Premier League stretch run. 

Toure cemented himself as a City hero with his goals at Wembley, Barry gives City a calm and collective influence to the side, and de Jong gives City the intimidation factor needed in the middle of the pitch.  As controversial as de Jong can be, he is a vital part of this team.

On the wings, Mancini can look to the crafty Adam Johnson and the slick David Silva. However, the depth is lacking.  City have James Milner and still have Shaun Wright-Phillips, but those two failed to impress last season. 

Milner is a player who I believe is better suited in a central midfield role and showed glimpses last season that he is a better player in that position.  When he was on the wing, he seemed lost at times, and the game seemed to go too quickly for him. 

Wright-Phillips has been rumored to be leaving the club but still remains. In preseason, he has shown he can still play.  If Wright-Phillips can handle being an impact sub and a part-time starter, I do believe he could still have a job at City.

Mancini is still looking at bringing in another creative midfielder to provide depth during the long season. 

Other Players to watch for: Vladimir Weiss, the young City Academy graduate who has impressed in preseason friendlies. I would like to see him get some time in the City first team and a chance to show Mancini that he doesn't need to buy a new creative midfielder.  This kid has a bright future ahead of him—as long as he can stay away from the injury bug.

Preseason Grade: B. I believe City are strong here but lack some depth. 

Forwards: City were rocked during the summer by Carlos Tevez's announcement of his desire to leave.  Tevez, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season, was a critical part of City's rise over the last two seasons.  While he is still a member of Manchester City, his days in blue are numbered. 

Mancini has talent at this position but also has headaches.  He has Edin Dzeko, who struggled after making his move to Eastlands and failed to hold down a starting 11 spot.  He also has Mario Balotelli, whose talent is unquestioned, but it's anyone's guess what is going on in that head of his.  Top psychiatrists around the world would love to have an hour with this kid!

City made their biggest splash in the market to cover for the imminent loss of Tevez by picking up Sergio "Kun" Aguero.  The Argentinian striker is a speedy, creative and lethal player anywhere inside the 18-yard box.  He terrorises defenders and loves to create havoc.  In my mind, he is the perfect replacement for Tevez.

City also have Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz on their books, but Mancini is looking for teams to take them off his hands this summer.

Other players to watch for: John Guidetti, Alex Nimely.  These two players are academy graduates who Mancini thinks very highly of.  If City have any injury issues, Mancini may look to these guys.  Look for Nimely and Guidetti to get a shot in Cup matches as well.

Preseason Grade: B. The talent is there, no question about that.  I want to see consistency from all of the strikers before I raise the grade.

Overall, I believe this season will be special for City.  Will they win the league?  That remains to be seen.  I predict they will make a strong run at the top of the table this season and have a good run in the Champions League.  In order for that to happen, they must find the right balance and add another player or two to provide a bit more depth. 

It should be an exciting and riveting season, so grab a pint, sit back and enjoy!