Spending increases expectations at City
Out of all Premier League teams, Manchester City may be under the most pressure to perform during the 2010/2011 season.
City are the league's biggest spenders for the second consecutive year, and the club will expect nothing less than a strong title challenge in return for the money.
The club has spent £77 million this year, and is still looking to land deals for Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli and Aston Villa's James Milner. It cannot be ruled out that City's total spending will come close to the £144m it splashed out last summer.
Such lavish spending has been the reality at the club since the Abu Dhabi United Group took over the club in September 2008.
After Mark Hughes failed to capitalize on the immense resources made available to him, Italian manager Roberto Mancini, in charge since December last year, is widely expected to succeed where Hughes failed.
New signings
This summer, Mancini has strengthened his defence by bringing in full-back Aleksandar Kolarov, defender Jerome Boateng and defensive midfielder Yaya Toure for a total of £53m.
Toure will be rivalled by no less than five players – Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong, Patrick Vieira, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta – for the central midfield spot.
Mancini has also been reported to be interested AC Milan defender Thiago Silva, who may join the squad before the end of the month.
Offensively, former Valencia man David Silva will add options in attack, probably as a left-sided midfielder or forward in a three-man attack.
With his pace and creativity from the left side, Silva will no doubt replace Bulgarian Martin Petrov, who left for Bolton Wanderers this summer.
But Mancini, expected to strengthen the squad rather than replace lost players, is still scouting the market for signings. Balotelli, coached by Mancini at Inter, is expected to sign for City shortly. The 20-year-old prospect would form an enticing forward trio with Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez.
Should Milner complete his pending transfer, he would add tenacity to the midfield on either side.
But the fact remains that City have failed to land the signatures of the highest-profile names the club has been connected with this summer. Reported interest in Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Chelsea's Didier Drogba never developed into negotiations.
It is thought by some commentators that City will fail to win the Premier League in the absence of a signing of the highest caliber. But Mancini has nonetheless increased the depth of his squad – he can now choose between two top-class players in every position.
Unsettled squad?
But much is yet to happen before the end of the transfer window.
Several players, among them Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy, are not included in Mancini's long-term plans and will likely leave the team before August 31.
Some fear that the club, with a 39-man squad, will auction off players for bargain prices by the end of the month, as only 25 players can be included in a Premier League-squad.
Another concern for Mancini will be the new league regulation that forces teams to include at least four homegrown player their squads. This means that four of Mancini's 25 selections will need to have spent four seasons with the club prior to their turning 21.
Such a requirement will no doubt lead to the departures of players acquired in the last two seasons. Strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Jo and winger Shaun Wright-Philips may join Bellamy and Ireland in leaving the team.
Spending tests Mancini
Extravagant spending has been known to deliver Premier League success, with Chelsea setting the best example, but it also tests a team's ability to readjust and, above all, how well its manager can shape a new and cohesive unit.
Therefore, City's success this season will not only be dependent on the performances of its new signings, but also on Mancini's strength as a coach.
If he can mold a new team and retain the loyalties of his old players, City will be in for their best league performance to date.
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