All week we have been looking at the teams most likely to break the Premier League's top-four this season. On Thursday, Aston Villa's chances were introduced while yesterday it was the turn of Tottenham's exciting yet unpredictable challenge to be analysed. Today it's the turn of Mark Hughes's Manchester City to come under the scrutiny of our columnist.
Manchester City
Prior to the start of the season, Manchester City were considered by many to be a shoe-in to break the top-four (as they had been the previous year), and perhaps challenge for the Premier League title. A frenzy of transfer activity in the close season saw players heralded as marquee signings at the start of the summer ousted from their lofty position within the squad by upgraded signings before they'd even kicked a ball for the club. The season ahead was an exciting prospect for City fans who were drooling in anticipation at seeing the attacking talents available to Hughes.
City started the campaign with a bang and the 4-2 win over Arsenal in September appeared to validate the views of so many who had tipped them for greatness. Adebayor looked unplayable, and with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Robinho yet to come into the side there was seemingly only one way that City were travelling: up the table. However, eight days later Manchester United inflicted a perhaps undeserved defeat on City, and in the space of just over a week, doubt was cast over the whole project. Seven successive draws in the Premier League during October and November did nothing to shed light on this enigmatic team and further confused those who had backed City for greatness.
As with Aston Villa and Spurs, there is no doubting the wealth of resources available to City manager Mark Hughes. He has an intimidating array of attacking talent in his squad and players like Martin Petrov and Roque Santa Cruz would surely be guaranteed starters at almost any other Premier League side. The trio of Carlos Tevez, Adebayor and Robinho is a fearsome prospect when in full flow and ticks every box in the attacking handbook - pace, power, flair, technique, creativity and movement.
However, despite this seemingly unplayable attacking lineup, City have often flattered to deceive this season, and it has been the less glamorous players who have perhaps proved the most important. Shaun Wright-Phillips, Craig Bellamy and Nigel De Jong may not sound as exciting as the aforementioned attacking trio, but they are arguably at the heart of any success City are likely to achieve this season. De Jong may yet prove to be the most important signing Hughes has made in his time at the club (along with the exceptional Shay Given), and has already overshadowed the much lauded Gareth Barry in central midfield for the club.
Bellamy and Wright-Phillips also bring an element of reliability that is sadly missing from some of the big names in the squad, and this is what Hughes will need in abundance if he is to have a realistic chance of achieving Champions League qualification. It is encouraging that players such as Stephen Ireland are still being given chances in this City side when they could so easily have been overlooked by "bigger names". Surely Hughes's hope lies in keeping these players integral to his operation, as it appears that he can't fall back on his so-called superstars to deliver when it matters. The anonymity of the likes of Robinho and Adebayor at Spurs this week suggests the harsh winter months could be difficult for City unless some of their more battle-hardened players step up to the plate and take responsibility.
City have a great run of fixtures in the Premier League over the next few months that may make or break their season. With the talent they have at their disposal, they could conceivably go into the back-to-back games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham in February and March unbeaten in nine league games, but it will need a significant effort, and for everyone in the squad to pull their weight to achieve this.
Like Spurs, City are at times capable of producing exhilarating football that is a joy to watch. They are capable of turning over the very best teams in the very biggest matches, but it is their ability to knuckle down and graft that will define their season. Doubts still remain over their mental strength and vulnerability in defence, with Toure and Lescott an apparent mismatch in the heart of defence, and this may see them fall short of what is required to enter the Premier League's elite at this time of asking. If Hughes can address the clear shortcomings of his squad in the January transfer window, then they may stand a chance. If not then we'll have to wait until next season before exclaiming City to be top-four contenders once again.
What do you think? Who will finish in the Champions League places this season? Have your say by leaving a comment below!
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