In the twenty years of the English Premier League, never has the level of competition amongst the higher echelons of the table been so combative.
For much of the season, there where at least five teams capable of winning the league and up to seven playing for those illustrious Champion’s League positions.
Ultimately – and deservedly – Manchester City were crowned the Champions having fought off stubborn resistance from their bitterest rivals, Manchester United.
Now, where do Manchester City go from here?
Having come off the back of their most successful and gratifying season in recent history, it is difficult to see where a squad with such an abundance of talent and spending power would need improvement.
For the most part, their continued accomplishments will depend on team confidence, unity and maintaining the winning habit.
Yet, if there were an area they may need to bolster, it would be in the centre of midfield where they look distinctively short of ideas at times.
This is not to suggest that they struggle completely but they look a far better team pushing Yaya Toure up into attack, which then means putting Nigel de Jong into holding midfield where he rarely ventures forward when they need a goal; nor can he dissect a team with a killer pass from ‘quarterback zone’.
Who Have They Been Linked With?
Most notably, Robin Van Persie’s name has been linked very strongly to the club as the City aim to bring more attacking options to Eastlands.
Borussia Dortmund and Poland striker, Robert Lewandowski, coming off the back of a spectacular season in the Bundesliga and good performances with his national side in Euro 2012, is another player muted to be on the radar of the richest team in the world.
Who Do They Need?
You can never go wrong with alternatives in attack but the midfield is still the place where they lack the most ingenuity. A player like Yann M’Vila; a ball winner with the ability to intercept and play positively would add a little extra than either de Jong or Gareth Barry can.
Moreover, at the age of only 22, he still has his most formative years ahead of him. One would suspect that City’s finances would be far superior to Rennes resolve if they made an offer.
Who do you want to see City sign?
image: © Gene Hunt
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