Premier League 2012-13 Team preview: Manchester City
What a season they had! They started strongly, floundered mid-way, trailed their neighbours by nine points but finally managed to scrape through and get hold of the trophy. Till the 94th minute of their last game of the season, they never really had the trophy in their kitty. The Gods favored them in the last minute of the last game of season. Manchester City have finally arrived! This season they would be determined to put a more convincing show. They kick-start their campaign this year with a home game against Premier league new-boys Southampton.
Unlike in the previous transfer windows, City have been quite subdued this time around. There has been no multi-million dollar arrival at the Etihad. It’s not surprising considering City finally have a settled squad and management in place. Moreover, they are required to comply with the Financial fair play rules or miss out on Champions league football. For a team whose players wage bill itself is more than the revenues generated, further signings is not really a possibility. Everton youngster Jack Rodwell is the only new signing by Roberto Mancini. The Englishman, who moved to Manchester for a fee of 12 million pounds, has signed a five-year contract with t he team.
The Citizens had a great run in their pre-season friendlies. Though they lost 0-1 to Al-Hilal in their first game and played out a goalless draw against Dynamo Dresden, they improved their form and won five games on the trot. Like all other big premier league clubs, City too included an Asian tour as a part of their itinerary. They comfortably saw off fellow league members Arsenal 2-0 in the China cup and defeated Malaysia 3-1. Back in Europe for the final leg of the tour, they defeated German club Wolfsburg 2-0 and Irish club Limerick 4-0. In an eagerly anticipated FA Community Shield clash with London heavy-weights Chelsea, the Manchester outfit prevailed 3-2 to conclude their pre-season on a high.
Manchester City are the bookies’ favorites to win the EPL title again this season and why shouldn’t they be? After all they are the best team in England and can only get better.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Gokul is a software professional from Chennai, India. An avid sports fan, he is a keen follower of Cricket, Football, Hockey, Tennis and Formula One. He styles his articles as razor-edge analyses of all the hot and happening events in the field of sports.
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