Time flies when you're having fun! and having enjoyed 10 weeks free from the stress always involved in supporting my beloved MCFC, the new EPL season starts this weekend (or Monday 10 Aug vs. West Brom if you're a City fan).
Having long since given up caring for Hodgson's England's exploits on the international front, I do genuinely enjoy not having to fret on results for a time over summer. New York City FC and Melbourne City have provided a football fix without the post game crash when results don't go the right way. There has also been the media induced summer transfer frenzy to laugh at. This has literally been out-loud when it comes to the 15 ex-Liverpool "pundits" who's hubris and duplicity was placed on open show in the media - (see this excellent blog from @howiehok34 http://www.standingalone.co.uk/the-incessant-bullying-of-young-men-for-furthering-their-career/).
But now the real deal is on; can MCFC put the disappointment of last season behind them and win some silverware in 2016? The answer is of course anything but straightforward, this is City after all.
Firstly, as can be seen from the above score line from City's final pre-season friendly, the team is anything but fine tuned for the hardships ahead. However, the pre-season has not been a complete write off! The performances of the EDS players and youngsters returning from loan has been a huge positive; Iheanacho, Denayer, Lopes, and the U-18 midfielder Garcia in particular have shown ability, determination, and enthusiasm in abundance. Iheanacho, Denayer, and Lopes, would, for me, be welcome in the first team squad. Indeed given the lack of form of Vinny I would encourage Pellers to be as ruthless as he was with Joe Hart two seasons ago and pick Denayer ahead of our captain until his baby worries are behind him and his mojo returns.
Secondly, it will be interesting to see if the decision to enforce the absence from pre-season of the MCFC Argentinian and Brazilian contingent, following their Copa America exploits, pays off. Certainly last year there was a hangover from players involved in the World Cup. However, the complete absence from pre-season must leave questions of what is to be the preferred starting line up, especially with the arrival of Sterling and a possible re-work of tactics and formation to 4-3-3. Its something rivals Chelsea have clearly avoided, and given Chelsea's lack of rotation last year they should know the overall impact of game time vs. rest periods for players; so would seem a gamble for City.
So how about transfers? To be fair, given the level of players being pursued so far, I would state that transfer dealings have been solid. Media frenzy notwithstanding, Delph was a bargain, and Sterling although overpriced (thank you FA you are doing a great job for British youth players :/) was exactly the sort of player City lacked last season. He will be invaluable in the many matches where the opposition park the bus, or where possession alone is not the answer and genuine effective pace in attack is needed. Also Unal and Roberts are great prospects with huge potential, and we may even see the latter being given a run out in cup competitions given his talent.
So should City be content with what they have ? No certainly not, I believe the difficulties with the De Bruyne transfer were what prompted the eventual Sterling fee (bird in the hand and all that) and that Pogba was always aspirational given the ridiculous hype that surrounds him, so I expect neither to join. If Pogba does not arrive then another strong midfielder capable of defending as well as attacking is required. If a world class alternative to De Bruyne cannot be bought (Isco?), however, I'd rather play Barker than splash out on mediocrity. Also if Dzeko does join Jovetic on the plane to Italy then another attacking option is a must, even if placed 4th behind Iheanacho. A young left back would also make sense, Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) being the papers' usual choice when linking any club with a left back, but there are other options.
So with a below par pre-Season and transfer dealings still far from complete how will MCFC start vs. WBA and Chelsea? Well this is still a squad that contains the same players who finished last season with six wins. Its still a squad with experience, guile, and players capable, on their day, of comfortably beating the best the EPL has to offer. So despite the difficult fixture list early doors I would be disappointed to be outside the top four when the transfer window finally shuts on 31 Aug, and after that the next few games are arguably an easier prospect (with hopefully a couple of signings to push on in all competitions). So yes City can prosper next Season but it will be no walk in the park ... let the stress begin!
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Etihad Stadium Manchester
