City Push the Boateng out as European Toure Provides Silva Lining

Firstly, apologies for the horrific puns in the title, although it was always a Given I’d do something along those lines. Focusing on the content though, I would just like to highlight the trio of new signings which have been brought to Manchester City so far in this transfer window, and look at the way in which they will fit in and hopefully improve the side in the long run. We came so close last season to accomplishing the dream of reaching the Champions League, but we left ourselves with too much of a Bridge to cross. However, with these afore-mentioned arrivals and possibly a couple more to come in the near future, it would be Weiss to take Hart from the fact that we now have a squad capable of challenging in the upper echelons of the Premier League on a regular basis. (OK, now I promise there won’t be any more puns!)

The squad last season was certainly one which had an abundance of individual talent and it came ever so close to facilitating our dreams, but just lacked that spark at the end of an exhausting season. In January, Roberto Mancini added the undoubted qualities of Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson, the former in an attempt to provide a winning mentality, whilst the latter, whose performances at the end of the campaign catapulted him to the verge of the England World Cup squad, added a youthful energy and ‘joie de vivre’ to the team. But this summer window has given Mancini his first real opportunity to stamp his mark on City, and he has gone about that by adding these three world-class players, one of whom will be bringing a World Cup medal to Eastlands.

Firstly, promising German international Jérôme Boateng has been brought in to strengthen the defence, and is capable of performing more than adequately right across the defence, although it’s expected that he will begin the campaign at right-back. Despite his relatively youthful age, he has already represented his country ten times, including a number of highly impressive performances at the World Cup, where his natural athleticism, pace and aerial ability caught the attention. Rated by many as the outstanding German defender during his last season at Hamburg, Boateng will surely turn out to be a superb addition to the City squad.

Joining his elder brother Kolo at the club, Gnégnéri Yaya Touré was brought in for a fee reported to be in the region of £25 million. He had been a key midfield enforcer for Barcelona over the past few seasons, with his physical approach enabling the likes of Xavi and Iniesta to blossom. Yaya is a combative presence in central midfield, and has the ability, not only to break up attacks in the mould of our very own Nigel de Jong, but also to affect the game further up the pitch. He started out as an attacking midfielder, and his box-to-box style of play is an aspect that City often lacked last season, especially when Vieira and Gareth Barry partnered de Jong. Powerful in the air with a rocket of a shot, it is hoped that Touré will provide a sturdiness in midfield as well as contributing with his fair share of goals.

Finally, Mancini added the indubitable skill and ability of David Josué Jiménez Silva to the City ranks. Silva has joined from Valencia, whom he represented with distinction, and will join up with the Blues after a break following the World Cup, where he appeared a couple of times and was part of the winning Spanish squad. He is capable of occupying a wide role, primarily on the left, though he is also adept at playing in a creative role, supplying the strikers with a plethora of opportunities. His arrival has brought a new wave of anticipation from the City faithful, and we all hope that his superb technical ability can spark the Blues into achieving great things.

Thanks for reading this post and feel free to comment. Which signing are you looking forward most to see in action?