We all expected them to
be busy, they have always been, it is a competition they have fought
in every time and Manchester City proved that once again. The transfer
window a time to flex their financial prowress has just passed and how
did City perform. In recent times, City have gone for everyone who has
been decleared wanted and have stopped short of signing fugitives as
well but this season has been different.
Before his sack, Roberto
Mancini laid blame on the club failing to bring in his desired transfer
targets like Robin van Persie who the ex-manager highlighted was the
difference in making their quiet neighbors win the trophy, and also
failures to capture Eden Hazard and other key players like Jovetic and
Rossi but must also shoulder the blame for not being taken seriously
after purchases of Sinclair, Rodwell, and gambling on Owen Hargreaves
in the past but things are different now, new manager Manuel Pellegrini
went into the market with purpose and definitely came out with nice
goods- in getting Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic,
Martin Demichelis, Pellegrini has done reasonably well.
Fernando Luiz Roza or Fernandinho might have raised questions
on issues over his price tag but his arrival would do more harm than
good, it brings about a new solidity to the Man City midfield allowing
the wingers to be a little more free with the ball, not looking over
their shoulders frequently, and most especially an addition to Yaya
Toure, the midfield marshall can advance up the pitch, Fernandinho had
six goals and 10 assists meaning he has got an attacking side of him
as well. Jovetic's arrival as well is
one to relish, the Montenegrin international often seen as a similar
player to Roberto Baggio, has got good technical, dribbling and creative
ability and could play anywhere around the final third and who could
forget his stellar 2009/2010 season where he played great against teams
likes Liverpool and Bayern Munich. At 23, already has 27 senior caps
for his country, and scoring 35 goals in 116 appearances for Fiorentina.
Another signing is Jesus Navas, a world cup winner-
alongside his World Cup medal has five other major titles so he clearly
knows what it feels like to be on a winning side, adds depth to the
team and options in the midfield his ability to get good balls into
the box is a plus for the giant striker Edin Dzeko and has got quick
feet as well and not too far off from his other compatriot David Silva,
who starts on the opposite wing and might be an ideal replacement for
inconsistent Nasri. Martin Demichelis, the last signing of the window for Manchester
City has got a whole lot of experience under his belt, the Lescott-Nastasic
partnership might not be catastrophic yet but it did look shaky at times
against Hull City and Demichelis could bring that much solidity to Citizens'
backline.
Stellar Signing?
Alvaro
Negredo stands out as City's best buy, two goals in three games for
the Citizens already shows how quick he has been to settle down and
could have been three in all had his goal not been ruled incorrectly
offside on his debut. Might not be an exact replacement for departed
Carlos Tevez but the striker has got goals in him unlike the former
who had a 10 percent conversion rate, Alvaro had a 17 percent conversion
rate- even though he was left out of the Confederations Cup squad and
has just 14 caps, he was fourth behind Messi, Ronaldo, and Falcao in
La Liga last season. At the moment he sits out for Edin Dzeko but we
should not be expecting that to remain the same. 32 goals in 70 games
is a nice return for anybody who wears the Almeria colors. The beast
brings competition to the attacking team, arguably the best in England
at the moment comprising of Dzeko, Jovetic, and Aguero, a competition
which should help shoot Man City in reclaiming their title. People would
be quick to point out the similarities between Dzeko and Negredo and
though they may have a point, Negredo is a different player off the
ball, he presses when his team do not have possession and could be a
poacher, an ability that would be welcome at Etihad as most times you
have win dirty something Man City could not do last season most times
bagging up draws in the second half of the campaign.
Flaws
Of The Window?
City
are the Kings of The Window but one must look at the fees they gave
out in getting their desired targets. At 28, 30million is a lot to give
out for Fernandinho who is similar to Paulinho that was gotten for 17million
and younger as well and the 22million given out as well for Negredo,
the latter is nowhere near Aguero's Physical, Technical and Creative
abilities and for that amount could have gotten a young proven striker.
It means City in a couple of years would be back to strengthen their
attacking side and with an already inflated market one can only imagine.
REMARK:
Pellegrini has done everything right, he might not have gotten a competitor
for Jo Hart who has been shaky at times, has gotten his players early
apart from Demichelis who came in late. Manchester City have gone into
market and come out of it as a team ready to challenge for title, compete
in the domestic cups, and most importantly look to break out of their
European Jinx with their signings all having continental experience
under their belts. Special credits must as well go to the backroom signing
of Txiki Begiristain who has definitely had a hand in the shake up.
GRADE:
A
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