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Manchester City has spent in excess of £100 man, in summer signings, in a bid to ‘buy’ the Premiership. At the least, this has ensured that expectations are sky high. But even a top four spot, let alone the title, has to be earned. And for that, City will have to do much better on the field, especially in away matches.
For instance, their home record was the third best of the last season. Yet, the Citizens finished 10th on the League table.
The first catch of the summer was Gareth Barry snared away from Aston Villa, and out of the grasp of Liverpool. Next came Blackburn Rovers ‘striker Roué Santa Cruz, answering the call of his former manager Mark Hughes.
Such was the lure of money that Carlos Tees was prepared to snub Manchester United to join the procession. Then followed Arsenal’ Emmanuel Adebayo and Kilo Toured.
But not all players would move only for the money, as for instance, John Terry and Samuel Too who said no to Hughes’ overtures.
Now, the team is so top heavy with big name players that Hughes’ biggest problem is ensuring that all of them get sufficient time in the playing eleven.
For instance, there is a surfeit of star strikers in Carlos Tees, Emmanuel Adebayo, and Roué Santa. (Incidentally, Robinson has left for AC Milan, on a four-year deal, in one of the Deadline Day surprises.)
Midfield could be a bone of contention with Barry likely to start, with an embarrassment of riches, on the bench, clamoring for the other two spots, including and Villa’s Milner, Nigel De Jung, Vincent Company, Martin Petro and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Defense remains the grey area if any, with Shay Givens the best man in the back line. Sedum Omaha would need quality assistance on the field to help reach his potential, and another summer snare in the form of Jolson Escort could fill in that role.
