These are the CHANGES that could lead Manchester City to the Premier League title next season
It is surely now only a matter of time before it is confirmed the Premier League title will be going back to Old Trafford, leaving Manchester City having to be content with 2nd place and no trophy this season. Does this mean Manchester City have failed this season? Who or what is to blame and who takes the punishment for the lack of trophies?
Manchester City started of the season in blistering form, winning 11 out of the first 12 games of the season, the highlight surely being the 1-6 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Since then though, results have been harder to come by. Key players such as David Silva and Yaya Toure appear jaded from the gruelling season and have therefore lost the sizzling edge to their game. Home form has remained incredibly strong (15 wins-1 draw-0 losses) but away form has led to concerns that City aren’t consistent enough at the back and lack pace on the counter attack.
Another concern is that Mancini is tactically naïve in comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has masterminded a certain title for possibly his weakest United squad while he has been in charge. This has led to questions that if City can’t win the title this year when United are undoubtedly at their weakest, will they ever win it?
Last but certainly not least is Mario Balotelli . What can be said that hasn’t already been said about this so called “genius”? He splits opinions between the fans but how many times must he let down the hard-working, exemplary professionals like Vincent Kompany and Gareth Barry and the deserving fans before they realise that Balotelli is not good enough for the team to have to carry for the majority of games and has put the club into disrepute too many times.
If Manchester City are going to win the Premier League next season then Roberto Mancini must keep his job as manager or else the fans face a longer wait for that first league title in almost half a century as the new manager adjusts the club to their personal style. However, Mancini certainly has issues to address this summer. First, Mario Balotelli must be got rid of, despite Mancini’s close relationship with the striker, City must follow the example set by their rivals across town, Manchester United, who offload players as soon as they start to develop a media circus that could derail the club and still achieve continued success, the sales of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are evidence that one player doesn’t make the United team. Also, with Carlos Tevez certain to be leaving, City must sign lively attacking players who have experience to keep their heads and keep their teammates calm as they will face pressure from at least one of the Premier League’s other big clubs throughout the season. If Manchester City prepare themselves correctly, there is no reason why they can’t take their progression to the next stage next season.
Take a Luka at City!
Dzeko hopes Modric opts to join Mancini's men in summer
Edin Dzeko has called on Luka Modric to join Manchester City.
The Tottenham playmaker is on Roberto Mancini's transfer wishlist as City look to bolster their squad in the summer.
And Dzeko hopes Modric opts for the Etihad Stadium rather than Chelsea, who failed with a £40million bid last year.
'Yes, everyone is after him but I would love it if he came to City. He would be a great addition,' he said.
'Besides that, he would have everything at City — Champions League, fighting for the title, great wages.
'I am cheering for him to choose City.'
Last month, Mancini admitted to being a fan of the influential attacker.
'Luka Modric is an outstanding footballer, a great player,' he said.
'He is definitely one of the best in the Premier League.
'It is by no means easy to get him because he plays for a big club, Tottenham. It is unlikely that they would let him leave.'
Even if Modric does join City, Dzeko may not be there to play alongside the Croatian.
The £27million striker has been linked with a move back to Germany with Wolfsburg reportedly interested,
But the 26-year-old is in no rush to make a decision over his future.
'There are still games left in the league and it is too early to discuss such matters,' he added.
Bayern look to get Dzeko
Bayern Munich are set to hand Manchester City misfit Edin Dzeko a return to Germany.
The Bosnian striker has struggled to recapture the consistent form that prompted City to pay Wolfsburg £27million just 15 months ago.
And Roberto Mancini’s decision to hand Carlos Tevez a return to his starting line-up ahead of Dzeko, 26, during the week was further confirmation that he is now surplus to requirements at the Etihad. Sunday Mirror Sport revealed earlier this year that Dzeko was on his way out a City.
Bayern have been monitoring Dzeko’s situation and are in the market for a new target- man after being made aware that top scorer Mario Gomez is on Real Madrid’s radar.
City’s £16m for Herr
Athletic Bilbao star Ander Herrera was watched by chief scout Rob Newman and football officer Brian Marwood in Wednesday’s draw at Granada.
They were again impressed by the 22-year-old midfielder, who is likened by many in Spain to Liverpool’s Gerrard.
Manchester United were also interested but City’s midweek visit has seen them steal a march on their rivals.
Herrera still has four years to run on his deal but wants Champions League football
Mario Balotelli and Rio Ferdinand star in music video for rapper R.I.O
Manchester rapper R.I.O is hoping to appeal to both City and United fans after persuading Mario Balotelli and Rio Ferdinand to appear in his new video.
The promotional clip for Can't Stop We has already proved an online hit, with more than 46,000 people viewing it on YouTube in just four days, thanks in part to it featuring the footballers.
R.I.O, real name Rio Nelson, met controversial City striker Balotelli through his uncle and the Italian agreed to perform some ball juggling tricks in a barber's shop for the video.
'We were showing off to each other, seeing who could do the best. But I had to be careful when he went in for a tackle,' said the rapper, who used to play for non-league Barrow.
'Hanging out with him he is such a humble, down to earth, really nice guy.'
The shots of United defender Ferdinand were taken when R.I.O supported US rap star Rick Ross at Manchester Academy.
'He was walking to the VIP area and passed my dressing room,' he told the Manchester Evening News.
'Someone joked "the real Rio's in here". He laughed and came over and had a chat and we got some footage of the two of us talking.'
The video also features Mancunian X Factor contestant Misha B and Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent, but despite the local focus, R.I.O hopes it will promote him on the national stage.
'I've been doing my thing for a bit in Manchester and people have been really supportive,' he said.
'But I hope this helps more people open their eyes to me, and takes me from being a local artist to a household name in the UK.'
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OTHER BOLLOX
Herrera's 19-year-old team-mate Iker Muniain is one of three wingers on Manchester United's shopping list. Lille's Eden Hazard and Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan are the other players targeted by Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Daily Star Sunday
The Premier League leaders are also watching Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel, 23. Sunday Express
West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United are competing to sign Bolton Wanderers veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen. The 36-year-old goalkeeper is available on a free transfer this summer. Daily Star Sunday
Tottenham Hotspur have identified Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 25, as the man to replace 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Friedel next season. Metro
Chelsea are lining up a £15m move for Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, 24, to help usher in a new era at Stamford Bridge. Mail on Sunday
Everton loanee Royston Drenthe, 25, is ready to cross the city to join Liverpool. The £80,000-a-week Real Madrid winger is out of contract in Spain this summer and FA Cup finalists Liverpool are willing to match his wages. The Sun on Sunday
Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray is ready to offer Christian Burgess, who is currently at university, a contract after the 20-year-old defender - who spent time on West Ham and Arsenal's books as a schoolboy - impressed on trial. TEAMtalk
Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey, 29, has opened the door to a move to Arsenal after he decided he will wait until the summer to decide his future. Daily Star Sunday
Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who is on loan from Hoffenheim, is hoping his parent club can thrash out a deal with Swansea which will allow the 22-year-old to remain in south Wales next season. talkShite
West Brom, Aston Villa and Stoke City are keeping tabs on 25-year-old midfielder Jamie O'Hara's future if Wolves fail to win their Premier League survival fight. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United owners, the Glazer family, have revived plans to float the club in Singapore before August. Between 25% and 30% of shares would be listed, with up to £600m raised from the move. Sunday Times
Blackburn Rovers are set to fine Gael Givet, 30, after manager Steve Kean claimed the defender said he was not ready to play in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Swansea. "It was very apparent when I spoke to Gael that he was not near the right frame of mind to start or to be on the bench," said Kean. The Sun on Sunday
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has admitted he could be the next person at the club to be sacked, following Damien Comolli's exit as director of football. The Scotsman also says that he would handle the Luis Suarez 'racism' affair completely differently if it happened again. Sunday Telegraph
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood says it would be "perfect" if Arsene Wenger stayed at the Emirates Stadium beyond the end of his current contract, which has just over two years to run. Sunday Mirror
Defender Jamie Carragher has launched a defence of Liverpool's Premier League form, insisting it is not as bad as has been made out. Kenny Dalglish's side are currently eighth in the table, 33 points behind leaders Manchester United. talkShite
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill poured scorn on Liverpool's hopes of FA Cup glory after the Toffees were beaten in Saturday's semi-final. "A few decisions didn't go our way but I'll just say they've got a lot of work to do," said Cahill. Mail on Sunday
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he is looking to make changes to his squad this summer to ensure the club do not stand still or decline next season. "There is work to do," said Hodgson. "We're going to have to make certain we continue to improve our squad because it's about quality players." talkShite
Former Barcelona manager Raddy Antic says defender Branislav Ivanovic holds the key if Chelsea are to dump Lionel Messi-inspired Barca out of the Champions League. Sunday Mirror
Devastated Everton defender Sylvain Distin took to Twitter to apologise to team-mates and Everton fans for losing them the FA Cup semi-final. Sylvain Distin's Twitter feed
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