Transfer Report Card 2010-11: How good were Manchester City’s signings?

By Chris Davie

A spate of new arrivals looked imminent in the summer of 2010 at Eastlands as Sheikh Mansour threatened to flex his financial muscle to aid Roberto Mancini‘s quest for silverware once more.

The Italian insisted on improving the squad depth, something which is a vital element in balancing a credible domestic challenge with European endeavours. Ironically, Manchester City‘s standout personnel have been two players acquired from previous seasons – Carlos Tevez and Vincent Kompany. But an influx of additions hasn’t prevented City’s title run-in from fading at the last hurdle and Mancini once again looks set to dip into the market to bolster his side this summer.

IN: James Milner (Aston Villa), Mario Balotelli (Inter), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Alex Henshall (Swindon Town), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Gai Assulin (Barcelona)

OUT: Paul Marshall (Walsall), Martin Petrov (Bolton), David Ball (Swindon Town, loan), Gunnar Nielsen (Tranmere Rovers, loan), Javier Garrido (Lazio), Adam Clayton (Leeds United, loan), Andrew Tutte (Rochdale, loan), Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa), Vladimir Weiss (Rangers, loan), Felipe Caicedo (Levante, loan), Adam Clayton (Leeds United), Robinho (AC Milan), Craig Bellamy (Cardiff City, loan), Ben Mee (Leicester, loan), Wayne Bridge (West Ham, loan), Abdisalam Ibrahim (Scunthorpe), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers, loan), Javan Vidal (Chesterfield, loan), Emmanuel Adebayor (Real Madrid, loan), David Gonzalez Giraldo (Leeds United, loan), Andrew Tuffe (Yeovil, loan)

Appearances/Goals: 42/5

Upon his arrival from Valencia, fears were immediately cast regarding the winger’s size and his ability to acclimatise to the Premier League. But the World Cup winner has gradually familiarised with the physical nature of the English game and as a result, his performances are increasingly becoming talismanic. Mancini may have hoped for a better return rate in front of goal, but the 25-year-old has worked superbly with Yaya Toure in supporting Carlos Tevez.

Expectation came with the reportedly highest Premier League wage but the brother of existing City recruit Kolo has commanded a starting berth with a string of influential performances. Although the midfielder often looks lumbering and ungraceful when running with the ball, his strength and understated speed have enabled him to adapt quickly to the frantic pace of English football. His Barcelona intellect has not been lost too, and with an astute eye for a pass, Mancini has pulled a fine tactical stroke in placing the Ivorian in an advanced attacking role this term.

The reported £24m fee appears to be worth every penny – regardless of which side of the fence you sit. For City, they have acquired a gifted footballer who has scored 10 goals in all competitions in just 21 games so far, that includes a hat-trick against Aston Villa. The negative side is his obvious lapse in discipline which, should reports be believed, led Mancini to throw a suitcase at him. Many team-mates, even the experienced Patrick Vieira, have gone on record to suggest Balotelli can become a superb player – only if his work rate improves. For the neutral, suspect headwear and a baffling inability to don a training bib without fuss have provided amusement. Providing the 20-year-old declines a move back to his homeland, it’s a guarantee that there’s more to come.

An ankle injury sustained in City’s season opener against Tottenham scuppered the Serb’s early months at Eastlands, but since his recovery, the 25-year-old has played an influential part down Mancini’s left flank. The former Lazio man has also shown his ability to get forward on a regular basis, which had led him to be played in an advanced role in City’s midfield.

The Bosnian has all the ingredients to succeed in the Premier League – strength, vision and the ability to bring others into play. However, his start to life at Eastlands has been clouded by a lack of goals. His four so far have all been in cup competitions with two against Notts County and a brace at home to Greek minnows Aris Salonika. It’s unfair to have expected the 25-year-old to immediately upstage the effervescent Tevez, particularly with the Argentine’s scoring record this term, but Dzeko will be wanting to get amongst the goals before being cast off as a peripheral squad player.

The midfielder has struggled to cement a regular starting place in City’s side. Perhaps, arguably, his versatility is a hindrance rather than a help. Upon his arrival at Eastlands, Mancini pointed out Milner’s capability of being able to play across the midfield. With Nigel de Jong securing the anchor role, along with Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure deployed in an advanced role, Milner has found it difficult to break into that trio. A hamstring injury at the start of this year has also scuppered his attempt at launching an extended run in the side, but as Mancini’s men edge closer to the close of the campaign, and with the Italian complaining about squad fatigue, Milner has the opportunity to stake his claim.

A promising World Cup campaign with Germany gave early encouragement for the Eastlands faithful, however, the 22-year-old has seen a lack of regular first-team opportunities. That’s partly down to the left-back slot being occupied by the solid Kolarov, while Mancini has rightly shown a reluctance to tinker with his centre-back partnership. The former Hamburg man has shown glimpses of promise and he appears to be an adequate squad player currently who has plenty of time to challenge for a consistent starting place. Boateng also had a bust-up with Balotelli during City’s training in December and this may have impacted on his ability to settle at his new club.

Others

Alex Henshall N/A – The 16-year-old was signed from Swindon Town with the eye to be developed through City’s academy. The left winger has yet to make a first-team appearance for Mancini’s side.

Gai Assulin N/A – Groomed through Barcelona’s infamous La Masia academy, the Israeli arrived in December on a free transfer and has made only the reserve side so far.

Mancini continues to be given licence to strengthen and largely, the group of players brought in this season have enhanced his squad. City have kept in the title hunt for large portions of this campaign and perhaps only the lack of title-winning knowhow has prevented Mancini’s men from lasting the distance.

Expect another influx of personnel in the summer but Mancini must be credited for each of his signings playing a part as a squad player at the very minimum this term. The acquisitions of Yaya Toure, Silva, Kolarov and ill discipline aside, Balotelli, have all looked accomplished purchases, and all look braced to feature significantly in City’s European and domestic title hunt next season.

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