Season preview: Manchester City

Man City fans have never had it better, after a dramatic final day win that snatched the trophy out of their arch enemies from down the road, City became only the fourth team to win the Premier-League title. It was not an easy ride, there were several points where the looked as if they had thrown the title away but a heroic end of season comeback saw them leapfrog United.

It’s impossible to forget Tevez’s antics in Munich were he left Mancini no choice but to state that his Man City career was finished, yet spectacularly he made a comeback into the side and provided a great boost after the painful 1-0 defeat at the Emirates at which point the champions elect looked as if they were done for once and for all.

Vincent Kompany’s header against Man United in the end of season derby was truly epic but it was eclipsed by Sergio Aguero’s winner against QPR which genuinely created pandemonium like the Premier League has never seen before. The multi-million pound squad has finally gelled; for the first time since the Sheikh’s arrival there’s a proper core to the side with the likes of Hart, Kompany, Silva and Aguero offering supreme amounts of quality coupled with a burning passion for trophies that proved crucial as they made their final push.

Signings

Mancini would have liked to get his hands on Van Persie but the Dutchman is going to Man United. Nevertheless, the main priority for Mancini this Summer has been to sure up the defensive capabilities of his side to a point where they can combine their immaculate home record with a strong away one. Jack Rodwell was a smart signing at a reasonable price for the club and they will be looking to add a centre half with Daniel Agger a name that has been bandied about a lot this summer yet we still have not seen any concrete movements on that front.

Expectations

City will push all the way for the title, and Mancini will now be expected to retain the Premier-League, but United now have the cutting edge after having signed Van Persie, 2nd.

Raphael Salama, football correspondent