Having been an ardent follower of the game for sometime, I would have to say Man City are reminding me of the Chelsea that caught everyone's attention in their first season under Jose Mourinho (of course it was the second under Roman Abramovic's ownership, but we all know that Chelsea got potent only under Mourinho). Drawing such an analogy so early in the season may draw strong reactions. After all, Chelsea were different...they were a more complete side with a very very deep squad, thanks to the oil money. Whereas, Man City on the other hand have a lop-sided squad with a crazy 7-man strike force and almost no such muscle in the defence (apart from Toure and Lescott). But why I sketched such a comparison is because, they look as hungry and intent on making a mark in the Premier League this season as one would have imagined after spending a whopping 120 mn pounds in the summer. Remember, Stamford Bridge also exuded a belief that they could teach Man Utd and Arsenal a lesson after they spent close to 90 mn pounds in the summer of 2004. Mourinho rubbed Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex the wrong wayafter calling himself 'The Special One'... and surely Man City have done just that this season. Arsene finds them low class and Sir Alex called them 'noisy'.
The last 2 matches City have played have surely caught people's attention. Arsenal is no walk-over. But Manchester City knocked them off so badly that probabaly Arsenal were still feeling a little dizzy against the Belgian side in midweek. Then came the United match which we all know about. If Sir Alex ever said that he wasn't left rattled after the match, he'd be lying. Despite the eventual loss to their rival neighbours, City have responded well beyond poeple's expectations to the money they spent in the summer.
What remains to be seen is if 1) City can continue to do the same week in week out for the next 8 months? 2) if City can remain as potent when they travel to The Emirates, Stamford Bridge and Anfield?
To do so week in week out is quite realistic as the bottom half of the league table looks quite abysmal really. City is definitely too strong for the Stokes, Burnleys and the Boltons of the league. But can they break into the top 4? With a string of breath-taking performances so far, it doesn't need much of an effort to think about City challenging the elite of England. But, lets try to see this objectively. By asking a question as this one, aren't we undermining the capabilities and credentials of the Big 4. Don't forget, these 4 sides have been semi-finalists of the European competition for the last 2-3 seasons. All 4 have been the finalists at some point or the other in the last 4-5 seasons. No one outside the big 4 has won the Premier League ever since Shearer's Balckburn Rovers won it in the early 90s. Do we still believe that City can break all these traditions and fight themselves in into the top 4, let alone becoming champions! Its hard to buy that right now. Probabaly next season or the season after that.
I have no doubts that City will continue to push the Big 4 right till the end to claim a spot in Europe's big league next year. Also, they are bound to upset one of the Big 4 again this season in their own stadium. United will feel lucky that they got the last gasp goal yesterday, but wait until its their turn to travel to The City of Manchester Stadium. The City side will probably be stronger than the one that travelled to OT with the likes of Robinho and Adebayor certainly bound to claim first team place next time. Manchester City have all the ingredients to create tremors this season- an enviable strike force, a solid midfield, a reliable goal-keeper and a really 'noisy' fanfollowing.
It looks bright and sunny for the blue half of Manchester this year after years of playing second fiddle to their illustrious negihbours. City might not yet be lethal enough to get their hands on the Premier League trophy this season, but after what they've exhibited this season so far, they sure have the 'bragging right'!
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