Roberto Mancini, the manager of Manchester City, has said that he would be happy if Premier League ended with the current position.
Mancini, while talking to the media, claimed that the target for this season was a Champions League finish and even a fourth place finish would be enough to do it.
Manchester City has spent a lot during the last two summer transfer windows. As a result, they have brought in a lot of quality players in their squad. All these players have been attracted by big wages, while their previous clubs have been paid compensations
as well. This spending has resulted in financial instability at Manchester City. The club has faced the biggest losses in the history of Premier League. At this point, it is the hardest job for Manchester City to comply with new financial regulations imposed
by UEFA.
However, the basic purpose of all the spending was building a squad. In the past, teams have suffered losses in their financial years, but they got the results as well. When Chelsea was taken over by Roman Abramovich, huge amounts were invested by the billionaire.
Heavy financial losses were recorded during the first year, but Chelsea reaped the fruits of their money. Chelsea won two back to back titles, and they performed well in the Champions League as well, falling just short of their target.
Manchester City’s case seems to be a little different from Chelsea’s. Apparently, the owners at City are not as enthusiastic about their football as Abramovich. It is their second season in charge of financial affairs, and they have spent a lot of money
in the club. However, their demands are not so high, as they are content with a fourth place finish. Also, the clubs who are sitting on top of City have spent almost nothing this season, as compared to them. Still, with limited resources they are managing
to stay ahead of an expensive squad.
But the problem is not only in terms of money being spent. Manchester City has a better squad than Manchester United and Arsenal, while they have probably as good a team as Chelsea. Still, Arsenal humiliated them in their home ground, while they drew their
local derby against United. Last season, the derby matches were at least worth watching, although City did get negative results. This season, however, the match was not even worth a look. As United has grown weaker this season, the spark was not present in
both sides, which really disappointed the fans.
The problem of Manchester City lies with their mental strength. With a squad capable of winning anything, City has kept their focus on a fourth place finish. So, in matches where the motivation is required to produce results in one’s favour, City has failed
to do so. The reason is that the motivation is missing in their players, probably because it is not being provided by their manager. This lack of winning mentality and motivation would cause problems for City in the future. Towards the end, when players are
all fatigued and tired, motivation is required to get them to the end. In the absence, City might just fall short of their target once again, like last season.
It is really a very odd attitude being exhibited by Mancini. In the past, Mancini has done much better with teams probably less capable than his current side. It seems as if Mancini has lost belief in his abilities, or he is unaware of the hidden potential
in his squad. At this moment, it is getting clear that rather than any other external or internal factor, it is the manager who is being a bad influence on his players.
Probably, the stories about rifts in Manchester City were true. The big players like David Silva, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and others have come to City in order to win something. If their manager does not believe in their abilities then there are going to
be problems. Considering their squad, City’s target should have been league title this season, rather than a mere Champions League place for next season.
Tags: