Premier League Preview: There are simply no holes in mighty Manchester City

“Winning the title is very important but so is the way we are going to win it.” Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini brings a certain class to last season’s champions. He was calm and in control even as Jose Mourinho typically went on the offence – on and off the field. [caption id=“attachment_1665941” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko(L) and David Silva. Reuters[/caption] Liverpool’s exceptional season bolstered by Luis Suarez’ magic almost put paid to City’s hopes but in the end, it was City’s stability that won out. This season, Pellegrini will once again count on that stability to help him achieve back-to-back titles – a feat not achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. The Financial Fair Play regulations have inadvertently put a stop to City’s buying spree – but they have still managed to get some very solid players to bolster what was already a strong squad. City don’t have any problems up front. They scored a league leading 102 goals last season and there is no reason why they can’t do the same again. Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo are all in fine form. They know the league and Pellegrini’s tactical approach. This means that they haven’t needed to undergo a big rejig or study any new tactics and can approach the new season with confidence. David Silva and Yaya Toure are the creative forces but the likes of James Milner and Fernandinho provide the spine. Samir Nasri’s cameos can be deadly and players like Jesus Navas give them a good push off the bench. Once again – there are no surprises but there is some serious quality. Key for City in the midfield has to be Yaya Toure – he didn’t have a great World Cup but he is surrounded by better players at City. In defence, Vincent Kompany remains the inspiration. He is strong in the air, his tackling is precise but most importantly, he has the heart of a warrior. He inspires with his presence on the ground and that is why City without him are hard to imagine. Pablo Zabaleta is super as are Gael Clichy and Aleksandr Kolarov as wing-backs. Eliaquim Mangala is now a done deal and there are simply no holes in this team. Joe Hart did not have a great season in goal last time round but City have brought in Willy Caballero as cover and to provide some competition. When you are going for the title, you really can’t afford to take it easy. Chelsea have probably made the better buys in the off season but City will be hoping that continuity has it’s benefits as well. And hopefully one of them is the title. In: Eliaquim Mangala (Porto, £32m) Fernando (Porto, £12m), Willy Caballero (Malaga, £6m), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal). Out: Jack Rodwell (Sunderland, £10m), Gareth Barry (Everton, £1m), Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland), Joleon Lescott (WBA), Alex Henshall (Ipswich Town), Ellis Plummer (St Mirren), Reece Wabara (Doncaster Rovers), Marcos Lopes (Lille, Loan), Emyr Huws (Wigan Athletic, Loan). Thomas Agyiri, Kieran Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, George Swan and Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely released. Squad Goalkeepers Joe Hart; Willy Caballero; Richard Wright Defenders Micah Richards; Vincent Kompany; Pablo Zabaleta; Aleksandar Kolarov; Gael Clichy; Martin Demichelis; Matija Nastasic; Dedryck Boyata; Bacary Sagna; Fernando; Mangala. Midfielders James Milner; Samir Nasri; Javi Garcia; Jesus Navas; David Silva; Fernandinho; Yaya Toure Forwards Edin Dzeko; Sergio Aguero; Stevan Jovetic; Alvaro Negredo