Last season Manchester City transformed themselves from noisy neighbours into an official top 3 Premier League team but, questions still remain over whether they can make the step up and become genuine title contenders this time round. The bookmakers certainly think so, making City the third favourites behind Manchester Utd and Chelsea, with Paddy Power pricing them at 4/1 to win the Premier League. They have certainly got the ammunition but whether manager Roberto Mancini can mount a realistic title challenge while juggling the domestic cups with the Champions League, the huge pressure to succeed and a team of highly paid superstars remains to be seen.
This summer City have once again spent heavily, acquiring the immensely talented striker Sergio Aguero from Athletico Madrid for £38m, Gael Clichy from Arsenal for £7m and the Serbian international Stefan Savic for £6m, with talk of a big money move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri still on the cards. Mancini now has all the ingredients to mould together a pehnomenal team but high among his concerns will be keeping every player happy as the last thing he needs is more player unrest. Player tantrums disrupted City's rhythm last season and the Carlos Tevez saga has been a constant thorn in City's pre-season preparations.
Ever since his arrival in December 2009 Mancini has continuously been criticised by the media for his inability to control his expensively assembled collection of players and mould them into an all conquering machine. Following their FA Cup win and Champions League qualification last season Mancini quietened many of his critics...but only for the time being. Anything other than a top 4 finish could spell trouble for the Italian, who is currently priced at 16/1 in the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked Odds. City must also perform well in Europe, even though they are making their debut in the competition a lot is expected of them and they are the fifth favourites at 16/1 to win it.
Man City kick of their 2011/12 Premier League campaign on Monday with a home game against new boys Swansea City, which is live on Sky Sports 1 at 8pm. Paddy Power have installed City as the odds on 1/4 to win the game and 9/2 to draw, with Swansea handed odds of 12/1 to come away with an unlikely victory. Big things are expected of City this season. Enough money has been spent, now its about time they show the world their true potential.
Manchester City Season Specials 2011/12 - with Paddy Power
