A lot has been made of the City’s attacking talent however Im of the firm belief that its the defence that has been key in this potential title achievement. Mancini’s approach is based on patience. Being tight and compact at the back and systematically breaking down teams which reminds me of mourinhos Chelsea.
The best English teams of recent times United and Arsenal have always been about attack but the patience method works especially when you have the best attacking talent up front.
It can be confusing to players like Nasri and Clichy who took time to adjust but gradually they appear to be all bedding in nicely. Clichy looks reborn, I have a feeling like Ashley when he moved to Chelsea his defensive and tactical game will improve greatly and he can potentially be one of the best full backs in the game. When Cashley moved to Chelsea, his attacking instinct wasn’t as devastating as it was with pires and henry next to him but he became such a balanced fullback.
They have an embarrassment of riches at rightback and with Kompany just getting better and still at the age of 26 Mancini has to be satisfied. Only a quality centerback may be bought in the summer.
Dejongs Contract is almost up and I suspect Mancini will ask the board to throw whatever amount to make him stay. Barry is 31 and Yaya isn’t getting any younger I suspect Mancini will be looking to get a young defensive midfielder who is willing to be patient and eventually take over Barry.Javi Martinez fits the bill.
In attack at present Mancini employs a 2 striker formation with one striker withdrawn. Next season will depend on Tevez availability. Personally I see no sense in keeping him especially considering he doesn’t want to be in the country.I believe Mancini has already started to prepare for life without Tevez and if dzeko also leaves a forceful forward like Cavani or Falcao will be bought.
For me the real issue is Sergio Aguero. He is a classy player who i like a lot and even for a man his height can hold on to the ball very well as he has shown in the last few games, has great strength but I feel his decision making in tight spaces especially when support is not forthcoming has been poor. He takers too many touches and invariably loses the ball at most times and for a striker doesn’t have the trigger instinct needed especially in the british game.
He has such great goal creating abilities and if moved to the wing will have all the time he needs and can be more devastating than Nasri. he has played there before for Atletico Madrid and Argentina and would still score 20+ goals a season.
This will allow Nasri to play in the withdrawn striker position where I feel he can be lethal with Silva flanking him on the left.
The lone striker role will be up for debate but I still think Mario has the ability to excel there. He has the height,pace,streenghth and pace whichg for me is crucial in the English game and to add on to that he now has 2 seasons under his belt playing against Premiership defenders and getting used to the pace of the game.Having Mario provides balance and can be well deputised by Dzeko or Guidetti.
For what its worth, I think another top winger (Hazard or Bale) will be bought but I think moving Sergio to the wing could give City an edge.
Thoughts
Should Mancini move Sergio to the right
posted on 12/5/12
No! Aguero is a brilliant striker and that's where he belongs. None of this playing him wide business, knew he'd be great about 6 years ago. His dribbling, power and finishing is an absolute nightmare for defenders because there are very few players in the world that have all 3
posted on 12/5/12
It's not broke so don't try to fix it.
Sergio is given a free(ish) role across the front and drifts out to either flank during a game making him a defenders nightmare, 8 assists and 22 goals in his first PL season (so far) tells it's own story.
posted on 12/5/12
When Dzeko plays, Aguero tends to drift out to the left, where I think he is very effective x
posted on 12/5/12
I think the fluid system that we play is very effective, and when the game opens up, you often see Aguero moved over to the right.
I would like to see Hazard, Martinez and a couple of youth players, Guidetti being an obvious candidate, in and around the first team next year.
Aguero, Balotelli, Guidetti and a similar replacement for Dzeko would be fantastic for next season.
(Tevez is still a C*** and Dzeko needs to be played regularly to be effective)