It’s still early days, but the acquisition of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool looks to have revitalised Manchester City’s left hand side, and given Manuel Pellegrini a few new ways of lining up his side.
Despite City finishing second last season. it was far from disastrous campaign for the club and, in fact, Pellegrini’s side finished strongly by winning their last six games.
However, despite that good run of form, it wasn’t enough, and quite simply wasn’t good enough from a team trying to successfully defend their Premier League crown.
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A few tweaks were needed to Pellegrini’s side if they are to retain their Premier League title. They certainly needed to add some extra pace, and this has been well and truly added to the side with Raheem Sterling’s arrival.
The words lethargic, slow and laborious could certainly be levelled at Pellegrini’s side last season. Even some of the players admitted they were without any “real tempo”- the words of James Milner following a Champions League draw with Roma.
With Samir Nasri and David Silva in the side, there were fantastic play makers capable of breaking down packed defences, but there was little pace on the counter attack and sometimes the tempo wasn’t high enough. However, that can’t be levelled at Man City any more, particularly if the first three games of this season are anything to go by.
While Sterling’s transfer fee may have seemed rather steep, the benefits of adding a player of his speed and pace were never in doubt and it has been on show for City so far.
The fact that Pellegrini played Navas more than any other outfield player last season, despite the winger being quite inconsistent, was because no other City played offered his main attribute of pace. But now, with Sterling, the reliance on the Spanish speedster is no more.
City’s new look left side seems to be paying dividends, as now they can rely on it heavily in big matches, with 40% of attacks coming down the left flank in their impressive 3-0 win of Chelsea.
The arrival of Sterling has also benefited two of City’s existing players, Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva, who have both been given more of a license to roam in this new look City side.
Kolarov now has a winger to link with and he himself looks far more threatening that he did last season – he’s now more likely to get down the left hand side and whip in superb crosses for the attackers to get on to.
And of course Silva can now move centrally, where he can play in his most natural role and create chances at will for his team mates.
Sterling’s signing has freshened up City no end, and this new look side is starting to look the real deal indeed.
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