Strengths:
Goals, Goals, Goals - Nasri and Silva will create chances against any defence in the league, combined with Aguero's movement and pace there are going to be plenty of goals. Dzeko, Negredo and Jovetic are all more than capable of scoring goals especially with those 3 buzzing around them. Add to that the best goalscoring midfielder in the league, Yaya Toure, and you have a frightening attack.
Top Defence and Goalkeeper - Assuming City sign Mangala which looks extremely likely, they have a very strong, athletic centre-back pairing that is up there with the best in the world. With World Cup finalists Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis in the ranks they have some talented players at right back and as back-up. Joe Hart is a terrific goalkeeper who, despite his dip in form last season, is capable of changing games with some great saves.
Intimidation - Teams are scared to play Man City now, which is more than can be said for teams like their neighbours United last season. This sounds like a minor thing but it really isn't, if a team steps on to the pitch already defeated, or doubting that they can beat them, they're almost certain to win.
Depth - Jesus Navas, Dzeko and Jovetic among others grace Man City's star studded bench, which shows their insane depth. When you have that many good players, you can put out a weakened team and crush most teams.
Weaknesses:
Left-Back - Kolarov is brilliant going forward but suspect defensively, whereas Clichy is solid but not brilliant going forward. Most top teams have full backs who can do both, so maybe City should look for that.
Controlling Midfield - Though Man City's midfield is littered with talent, Toure isn't great defensively so this often leaves them exposed in midfield. Teams like Arsenal who play with more than one attacking midfielder might be able to exploit that gap.
Signings:
Eliaquim Mangala - Not yet completed but all signs seem to point to Mangala being at City next year, which should be a great signing. I haven't seen much of him but people who know more than me say he's a perfect fit for any top team. Strong, fast and commanding, Mangala appears to be a carbon copy of Kompany.
Frank Lampard - In one of the weirdest signings of the window, Lampard moved to Man City on loan for a short while. I'm not really sure if and when and where Man City will play him, but I'm intrigued. I don't need to tell you what Lampard can do, but we'll see whether this is anything more than a publicity stunt.
Fernando - Another Brazilian anchor man that Man City will be as successful as Fernandinho. City seem to be hoping to confuse commentators and fans everywhere by signing similar players with similar names and will be hoping he'll have a similar debut season.
Bacary Sagna - Bit of a weird one. Sagna is a good player but isn't any better than Zabaleta, so Sagna must just be back-up. I don't understand why Sagna would leave for a rotation place when he was first choice at Arsenal - maybe money talks.
Who They Should Sign:
A Left-Back - As previously stated, City need a left-back who is brilliant going forwards and backwards. However, finding one is easier said than done and I feel that Luke Shaw would have been a great signing, but that ship has sailed.
Final Thoughts:
Man City look ready to make a proper defence of their title. Their squad is strong in every area and they have a lot of depth and a top manager. They can score goals seemingly at will and have a strong defence that can keep out top forwards. Squad-wise, they are one of, if not, the strongest in the league.
City will win nearly every game against teams outside the top 6 because of their incredible firepower, so that shouldn't be a problem. Their season rests on the big games and whether or not they can control the midfield in those games. Maybe playing Toure higher up the pitch and playing two pivots would fix that against bigger teams but we will see what Pellegrini chooses to do.
Man City and Chelsea look like the teams to beat at the moment and I think City will fall just short of winning the title again. I think they'll come second but only time will tell.
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