An Outstanding Performance from Manchester City this Season?

This is guest post from Brodey Sheppard.

Manchester City ended the season with 10 defeats, 66 points, and fourth – their lowest League position in six years. Many expected a better result. In the end, they triumphed in the Champions League race, drawing with Swansea City to qualify for fourth in the English Premier League. Reaching the Champions League semi-final certainly proves their place as a first-class football team. But was it enough?

Manuel Pellegrini’s performance as manager saw the announcement in February that Pellegrini leaves the team this summer. The Chilean is to be replaced by Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola, and is considering his options for the future. He stated, “I am fortunate to work in five countries. But the Premier League is the most important in the world.” Pellegrini continued, “The stadiums are full capacity, a party every game, fans uniting and singing. The atmosphere. It’s important for managers to have this experience.”

Pellegrini has previous League Cup wins with his time with the Manchester City team, and is satisfied with their latest Champions League performance. With the Capital One Cup success and Champions League achievement, as well the great performances of previous seasons, he calls Manchester City “the best team of the last three seasons.”

Prior to their final game, Pellegrini stated, “I think one of the most important things we did over the three years is that we were always in the Champions League spots. During this season… we have been in those spots.”

But they didn’t show the form of previous seasons. This season Manchester City were off to a flying start with five wins from five matches, without a goal conceded. But team captain Vincent Kompany was cursed with injury problems – over 30 different injuries with many of them affecting his calves – leaving too many holes in Manchester City’s defence far too often. With Kompany on the field, Manchester City lost 7 goals in 13 games; with him out of the game, that changed to 34 goals out of 25 games.

Joe Hart, Manchester City goalkeeper, stated, “Well into this season we were well in the title race, but we let ourselves down. We will take positives of a trophy and semi-final of the Champions League, which was history for our club. I have enjoyed our time under Manuel, and it was important we finished off a good three years working with him.”

Perhaps the standout team member for Manchester City is Kevin De Bruyne. They were spot on in taking on the midfielder. De Bruyne’s great performance this season includes 16 goals, along with many assists. For Britain’s second highest paid footballer, he’s proven his worth this season and his £54 million contract is vindicated.

Kelechi Iheanacho proved his star quality as well, especially in the final game against Swansea when he fired them ahead after only five minutes. It was his goal that clinched them the fourth position.

Nicolas Otamendi failed to show his earlier form that clinched him a £34 million contract in 2015. Particularly with Vincent Kompany out of action for so much of the season, Otamendi did not prove equal to filling the gap.

Players like De Bruyne, Iheanacho, Hart, as well as David Silva and Sergio Aguero, are the strength of the team. A core that Guardiola can build an even more successful team around. Other fine performances included that of Fernandinho.

Hopes are the new manager, who has signed a three-year contract with the club, can take Manchester City into an even brighter future. Guardiola will have a first job finding new recruits, including three new defenders, two midfielders and a striker.

So how do you think the new season will play out? If you’re feeling confident, you could take a look at the latest odds, for example you could get a sweet little free bet of £200 here which could give you a great return. Bring on the season!