How do City match up against the other big hitters for 2015/16

By Paul Stewart, Mon 20 July 2015 16:04


How do City match up against the other big hitters for 2015/16Blues strengthen with signings of Sterling, Delph and Roberts

Since a previously unknown Arab consortium called the Abu Dhabi United Group took over in September 2008, the subsequent years have been something of a roller coaster ride for the blue half of Manchester's football fraternity.

Sheikh Mansour owns the Abu Dhabi Group and is the richest owner in world football. For him, winning trophies has become an expectation rather than a distant dream for City.

It was the 2011-12 season that saw them become Premiership Champions for the first time and a second win in 2013-14 made it clear that the new found success was here to stay.

So, with a second place finish last year, what are the prospects for the team going into the 2015-16 season?

New signings

Since 2008, Man city fans have seen some of the most exciting action in the transfer market of any team in the world. This year is no different, with major new talents arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

Fabian Delph, the former Aston Villa captain, has signed a five-year contract for a fee of £8m. The move was finalised less than a week after he stated he was staying at Villa Park, but City agreed to meet an £8m release clause.

"At just 25 years old, he still has his best years ahead," City boss Manuel Pellegrini commented.

Another exciting new arrival is Patrick Roberts, the 18-year-old Fulham teenager who had a year left on his contract at Craven Cottage. He has signed for an undisclosed fee.

Record breaking

Of course, it is City's third English summer signing that has rightly taken the lions' share of the headlines and who looks set to have a major impact on the team's performances this season. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling broke records when he agreed to join City for £49m, becoming the most expensive British player ever. It is rumoured he will receive £200,000 a week in wages.

Manuel Pellegrini described Sterling as, "one of the best attacking players in world football.”

Rivals

Current champions Chelsea are the only other top four team City has to play in the first nine games in the new Premiership campaign. This certainly gives Pellegrini's team a good chance to make a firm statement at the start of the season.

Although Man City are sure bets for a top four placing, the race for the title this year is certain to be a fierce one. Holders Chelsea will be driven to hang onto the title for a successive year, while the Manchester Reds will be looking to get back to Ferguson-era heights, with Arsenal continuing to be the dark horse challengers that could forge ahead of the pack at any moment.

One way to follow all the developments throughout the season is to check Football Acca updates and see who is dictating the agenda at any time.

City's future

With the new state of the art football academy certain to impact on how home-grown talent helps City in the future, the new season looks likely to continue the team's recent success from mixing top class signings with exciting line-ups and tactics on the pitch.