In a classic case of clutching at straws, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been quoted by Express as having blamed his team’s poor title defence on the free spending nature of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the January and Summer Transfer Windows.
Indeed, the traditional title contenders spent considerably with Arsenal bringing in Alexis Sanchez, Chelsea with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas and Manchester United with Angel di Maria. However, City had the opportunity to sign all those players but chose to offload Alvaro Negredo and not bring in a worthy replacement. Furthermore, Pellegrini spent a notable amount in bolstering City’s defence with Mangala. Besides, he had a squad that was miles ahead of everyone else just the season before and it was no secret that everyone else would want to improve in a bid to match the Citizens.
One of the real reasons City have struggled this season is the indifferent form of Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure whilst injuries to Sergio Aguero and David Silva ensured a tough road to retaining the title. Manchester City’s tactics have also been painfully predictable with opponents preying on the team’s frailty from counter attacks and set pieces. In some cases City have just been unlucky, conceding poor goals and inexplicably failing to win games that should have been won comfortably.
In the past, City have been the ones accused of buying the title with Pellegrini being one of the City managers to do so. Why he would then complain that other teams are doing it too just seems to be failure to find a worthwhile excuse for a job badly done. One does wonder how the bosses at City will feel about a clear plea for funds for the upcoming transfer window.
Source: DSG
