Manchester City’s lavish spending this summer sees their squad list bulge like never before – with many wondering just how Roberto Mancini will keep his galaxy of stars happy throughout the season.
Patrick Vieira is the first to admit that some of their top players will have to sit out at some point and their acceptance of such a policy is key to any prospective success. After all, the dealings at Eastlands dictate that this is the only way a content squad can be achieved.
For having all the money in the world does not count for anything when you are unable to field a steady line-up that would surely breed the kind of consistency required to pose a serious threat to neighbours Manchester United and champions Chelsea.
Cast your mind back to Mourinho’s tenure at Stamford Bridge which was characterised by the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba who remain in the core of their line-up today and perhaps establishing such stability over the next few years would be wise in direct opposition to throwing money at their disappointments.
The likes of Bellamy, Adebayor and Toure who played a key part last season will now be left out in the cold and it may be suggested the addition of 3 or 4 players would have offered steady progression to a team that came so close to European qualification.
Vieira admits that “There will be frustrations because quality players do not like to be on the bench,” but “when you are an ambitious club like City you have to accept it.”
But are City’s ambitions hampered by the haste in which they buy so many players?
Picking the best team, is a far cry from picking the best or most expensive individuals and it is with this that Mancini faces arguably his hardest task at the club so far. He may feel a slight pressure to vindicate his major money signings and persist with them even if they struggle to gel.
City are far and away the biggest spenders so far having already signed Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng whilst James Milner and Mario Balotelli appear to be on the verge of being the next through the door.
It is sure to be an intriguing season at the City of Manchester Stadium and Mancini may soon realise that vying for success and keeping everyone happy is harder than he thought.
