Premier League Preview – Can Manchester City Return To The Top Under Pellegrini?

New manager Manuel Pellegrini looks to be an improvement on Roberto Mancini, who didn’t deliver the success that the owners were hoping for and despite winning the Premier League, City’s European adventures ended far too soon for many.

Pellegrini was quick to put his stamp on the team by signing winger Jesus Navas, who will provide much more width to the team’s play than Samir Nasri and David Silva ever could. Yaya Toure will probably be allowed to play in a more attacking role now that Fernandinho has arrived, but Manchester City’s central midfield woes are set to continue if a player with a bit more aggression is not brought in to control things in the middle of the park and let Toure go forward.

After signing Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo, it looks as if City have the best attacking force in the Premier League, but Pellegrini will have to find a way of accommodating everyone in order to achieve the best result.

City’s defence must be improved as there is distinct lack of depth, with only two centre backs currently fit. Pellegrini must add some more defenders to his ranks if he wants to challenge for the Premier League title as their rivals look solid at the back.

A very potent attack combined with a solid defence could prove a winning combination for the Citizens, but a lack of strength in depth at the back may be their downfall.

Prediction: 2^nd

Thomas Baxter