Manchester City

The new side on the end of every supporters hatred? Perhaps. Jealousy? Probably. But everyone concerned with this club can't afford to be too bothered with those outside looking in, they need to improve, or at least consolidate, on last seasons achievements. The whole country wants them to fail, but the reality is that they have now turned the Premier League into a three horse race.

Goalkeeper

Joe Hart has well and truly consolidated himself at number one, with Shay Given now sold to Aston Villa to stave off the splinters from that City bench. He is prone to the odd mistake, but nobodies perfect, and fans worldwide will have to get used to him because he surely has over a decade of being not just his club's first choice but England's too. Stuart Taylor provides decent enough back up.

Defence

Despite already being strong in this area, two more bodies have arrived to bolster a stern defence further. Youngster Stefan Savic, coveted by many of the top European sides, is now at Eastlands along side Gael Clichy, who snubbed Liverpool to join Roberto Mancini's men. In reality they could probably field two very strong back fours, so competition for places should ensure that level of performance stays high.

Midfield


Adam Johnson, lauded as one of the new breed for the national side, can't even get into the starting eleven at his club. That shows the level that this side are now competing. James Milner is expected to have a more prominent role this time round, where Nigel De Jong and Yaya Toure continue to endear themselves to the city faithful.

Forwards

New record signing Sergio Aguero has arrived from Atletico Madrid, raised expectations further still. Edin Dzeko, a £27m arrival from Wolfsburg in January, should also have s heavy role this year despite his poor performances so far. Mario Balotelli, an undoubted talent, should also stay even after his 'I don't like Manchester' moan recently. Carlos Tevez is still seeking a way out, as are Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor who were all left behind when the first team jetted out to the States.

Manager

Roberto Mancini seems to have the confidence of everyone concerned with the club, and has built a side which should compete on all levels. The FA Cup win last year ended the long wait for silverware, whilst also ridding Old Trafford of the banner that has taunted them all these years. A first Champions League outing could be the real test, but with the calibre of player at his disposal it wouldn't be surprising to see them reach the latter stages.

Areas to Strengthen

No where in this side really needs any more strength. They have strength in depth at all levels, however if a truly world class player came up they would no doubt try their hardest to clinch the signature. Especially if that person is Wesley Sneijder and bitter rivals Manchester United also want him.

Expectations

They are no doubt very very high. Consolidation on last years league position will be the minimum that will be expected, while more silverware would be desired. However if a real push for the title is made that will show great progression, and you would think would keep the majority of the fans and board room happy.
Odds

4/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Sergio Aguero £36m (Atletico Madrid) Stefan Savic £6m (Partizan) Gael Clichy £7m (Arsenal) Costel Pantilimon undisclosed (Poli Timisoara) Samir Nasri £24m (Arsenal) Owen Hargreaves free

Players out

Felipe Caicedo £1m (Levante) Jerome Boateng £12m (Bayern Munich) Jo Undisclosed (Internacional) Craig Bellamy free (Liverpoool) Shaun Wright-Phillips undisclosed (Queens Park Rangers) Shay Given £3.5m (Aston Villa) Scott Kay free (Macclesfield Town) Shaleun Logan free (Brentford) Andrew Tutte free (Rochdale) Donal McDermott free (Huddersfield Town)  Javier Garrido, James Poole, Javan Vidal, Patrick Vieira, James Wood (all released) Ryan McGivern loan (Crystal Palace) Michael Johnson loan (Leicester City) Kieran Tripper loan (Burnley) Ben Mee loan (Burnley) David Gonzalez loan (Aberdeen) Dedryck Boyata loan (Bolton Wanderers) Roque Santa Cruz loan (Real Betis) John Guidetti loan (Feyenoord) Ryan McGivern loan (Bristol City) Ahmed Benali loan (Rochdale)

Now for the Premier Leagues long summer

For managers, players, fans and everyone connected to a football club, the summer can bring a whole host of emotions. Both excitement and frustration.

Who will your club bring in? What ludicrous amounts of cash will be spent? These are the types on conundrums fans face. Constantly guessing on a daily basis, and often buying into the endless amounts of gossip columns. Yes those that would see each club having a squad of 50+ season upon season.

The board room though is a very different place, weeks of planning often goes into targeting a possible addition. While everyone knows the troubles negotiations can cause. As time drags on, panic buys often become a regular feature. With each fan in the country being able to name a few their club has found.

The people who face the toughest time though, are no dount managers. This is the time of year when they arguably become hero's or zero's. Pre season training camp, friendlies and new additions set up a team for success of failure. While those out of work, think Avram Grant and Carlo Ancelotti, have the added pressure of searching for a job. And getting settled in in no time at all to tackle all these areas.

So come August what will we have encountered? Another Carlos Tevez affair (I agree it is getting very old), massive transfer fees and endless debate no doubt? I can't wait!

Manchester City's mistake in demanding Tevez stay!

Over the last few days and weeks more and more has been written about the feud between Carlos Tevez and his manager Roberto Mancini.

From offers and a bumper new contract and a multi million pound one off incentive payment if he signs, money is clearly no issue, as it never has been during Sheikh Mansour's rein at Manchester City.

But the Argentine international is adamant that he is not interested in cash, and that he moving for family reasons, which have always been an issue.

This added to the fact relations with executives have broken beyond repair, executives believed to be Garry Cook and Brian Marwood.

Tevez insists he wanted to leave in the summer, but was dissuaded by former agent and owner Kia Joorabchian.

The blues have made the decision not to sell following meetings with the owner, with the City captain also having three and a half years still to run on his contract.

If he is forced to stay though, the 26-year-old has made it clear he will simply retire.

An outcome that could force City to take action against Joorabchian.

It is no doubt a very complicated situation, but one which could have a very simple outcome.

In modern football it is next to impossible to keep a player who wants to leave, we have seen this numerous times over the last few seasons alone, think Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Mascherano.
Deep down City no they have to sell after their last ditch attempt at throwing bags of money at the striker failed.

An offer they must have thought no one would ever be able to refuse.

Although this is the first sign of a crack in the Eastlands hierarchy. there are still many top class players who would join the club.

Despite Tevez's importance to the club, losing him wouldn't be the worst possible outcome.

Not with the money they have and a month in which to do business.

Keeping the player would only have consequences behind the scenes, but squad morale would begin to dwindle if players bore witness to the constant feuding on a daily basis.

If Manchester City want success this season, it could be in their best interest to cut their losses and splash out on a new superstar.

Javier Mascherano and the modern day footballing mercenary!

In the era of no loyalty within our elite level footballers, this attitude is summed up most by non other than Javier Mascherano.

While at Argentinian side River Plate and then Brazilians Corinthians, Mascherano built up quite a reputation not just in South America but around the world.

He was an exciting young talent who chased and hassled the ball carrier tremendously, he was tipped for Europe's best clubs in a matter of years.

However after a shock switch to West Ham United along with compatriot Carlos Tevez he quickly saw he first team opportunities cut short.

After just half a season though and five appearances, Rafael Benitez brought him to Anfield assured he could rebuild his career.

The fans instantly took to the gritty ball winner, and he became a favourite in the terraces.

Now nearing a century of appearances on Merseyside, it seems his time at Liverpool is numbered.

While he should be grateful to Benitez for the 'risk' he made in buying the Argentine, he should be appreciate the club and power brokers who also took the risk and the fans who have took him into their heart.

His refusal to play in the recent defeat to Manchester City is a ludicrous way to act towards the club and fans who are STILL paying his wages despite this refusal.

It is also worth pointing out that Liverpool have turned him into Captain of his country, a situation that seemed highly unlikely during the tumultuous time at West Ham.

Manager Roy Hodgson has stated if no bid matches the clubs valuation, then he could stay.

However the fluttering eye lashed at Barcelona which started last summer are still ongoing, and with Inter Milan now in the race if he does stay it could have a hugely detrimental effect on morale.

Their now seem to be a distinct lack, if any at all, of one club men.

A quick buck among players seems to be the priority and player 'rule' the trend at clubs.