by Michael Skok
The defeat to Arsenal at the Etihad put the Citizens a step back in their pursuit of the Premier League title. The gap widened to 5 points between themselves and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. This of course, was a team that had been unbeaten in their past 12 Premier league matches. What followed was a totally unexpected Arsenal performance, playing a defensive rigidness not seen for years. Although Manchester City as a whole played well below their level, much of the source for their struggles can be attributed with the loss of Yaya Toure. Obviously due to the African Cup of Nations, the Ivorian international missed the crucial match, along with new signing Wilfred Bony. Manchester City were bereft of ideas on how to breach the uncharacteristically organized Arsenal defense. Even with the presences of David Silva and Sergio Aguero, Arsenal isolated the Argentine striker by marking and even double marking the Spanish playmaker. What resulted was an offensively uninspired Manchester City performance.
Ironically, Manchester City were suffering from the same problem that faced Chelsea last season. The lack of a creative, driving force from midfield. Fernandinho and Fernando fit neither of these traits. The creative burden was forced upon David Silva, like how much of it was forced upon Eden Hazard last season for Chelsea. Thus, for teams that played a very deep line, it was nearly impossible for Hazard to find any space to manipulate for his Chelsea teammates. The same fate befell David Silva in this match. Chelsea remedied their creative issue with the acquisition of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona, who has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Of course, Manchester City have this man in Yaya Toure, however he will not be able to be relied on in the future due to his age. There is no one else in the Manchester City squad that can do the offensive job as nearly as prolific as the Ivorian. The closest player with that skillset would be Frank Lampard, however he is gone at the end of this season.
If City hope to compete on all fronts, they would need one, perhaps two players of Yaya Toure’s ilk. Some nominees would be the likes of the Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba. Europe’s strongest all have a central midfielder in their prime; Bayern have Bastian Schweinsteiger, Real Madrid have Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, Chelsea have Cesc Fabregas. Players like Sergio Aguero and David Silva are incredibly talented, but require an engine to play at their best. Yaya Toure is their engine, but nearing 32, they will need new quality ones in the future if they aspire to be the part of Europe’s elite.
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Michael Skok
Football Editor for
Polish-American Portal www.Poland.us
More on: www.mikesgoal.com
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