2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Manchester City

Manchester City FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 3rd (71 pts)

Points per game (home: away): 2.26: 1.47

Goals scored per game (home: away): 1.79: 1.37
Goals conceded per game (home: away): 0.63: 1.11

Number of clean sheets: 18 (best in league)

Top league scorer: Carlos Tevez (20 goals, joint Golden Boot winner)

Top league assister: David Silva (7 assists)

Transfers

In: Sergio Aguero, Stefan Savic, Gael Clichy

Out: Jo, Shay Given, Jerome Boateng, Michael Johnson, Patrick Vieira, Shaleum Logan, Javan Vidal, Ben Mee, Abdisalam Ibrahim

Pre-Season Results

2-0 Club America

2-1 Vancouver White Caps

1-1 LA Galaxy

3-0 Irish XI

3-0 Inter Milan
2-3 Manchester United (Community Shield)

Predicted Season Finish: 3rd

The top three of last season are expected to move close again for this coming one. Mancini has been solid in shaping the team into a top class title contender, and the superbly solid defending will take them even closer to the Premier League title this season. However, the lack of experience in hunting the league trophy, added with internal conflicts within the club, should keep them away from surpassing their neighbour at least for this year.

Defence - 9/10

City's defenders aren't so strong on the paper, but silently 18 league clean sheets were picked by them last season. With another 2 quality defenders added up until now, you can expect them to continue such impressive feat.

Midfield - 8/10

Here they have the perfect mix of style - Silva providing the flick and flair, Toure making the more practical attacks, Barry linking the front and the back and De Jong doing all the dirty jobs. However, the depth here is rather thin.

Attack - 9/10

There's four five-star forwards here - one always get homesick, one never stops fooling himself in front of the public, one doesn't look very compatible with English football, and one is yet to feature in the Premier League - should get 11/10 if not for these reasons.

Fantasy Ace: David Silva (£9.5m)

Effectively the playmaker of the team, Silva should had scored more than his current fantasy score if his teammates did not waste too many chances out there. Bought from Valencia, he is expected to be even better next season with his fine supplies of passes. He should be taking over the ace position too if Tevez leaves.

Powerhouse Picks: Gnegneri Yaya Toure (£8.0m), Vincent Kompany (£6.0m), Sergio Aguero (£11.0m)

Played at Barcelona at the cover of Xavi and Iniesta, Yaya Toure finally has the chance to take a more offensive role at Manchester. And he didn't disappoint us. - he scored even more fantasy points than David Silva! 6 goals, 6 assists, 15 bonus points and 18 clean sheet points is very much a spectacular performance for a midfielder who's better known defensively. Even at £8.0m, he is still underpriced.

Miscategorized as a midfielder last season, Kompany's (pix) role as a central defender was an absolute success. Ranked 6th in interception, 3rd in passes and 4th in blocks among defenders of Premier League last season, the Belgian should have scored 54 points more than what he had earned last season - 149 points, or 4th in defender's table. And for that reason he is an absolute bargain this season.

Bought expensively from Spain, Aguero is expected to lead the striking role, terrorizing opponents' defences. His records with Athletico Madrid has been impressive so far, and hopefully he can repeat the same kind of performances at the league with faster pace.

Solid Picks: Joe Hart (£7.0m), Gael Clichy (£6.0m), Carlos Tevez (£12.0m)

Undoubtedly the best keeper of Premier League, Hart's (pix) best years are yet to come. His outstanding reflexes has made him one of the most entertaining goalkeeper to watch, and also the most expensive fantasy keeper.

Bought from Arsenal (yet again), Clichy is expected to become Mancini's first choice left back. While he should benefit from City's clean sheets, you should expect some competitions and rotations from Zabaleta and Kolarov.

Tevez might be leaving, but if he stays, he will be as incredible as before with his monstrous work rate and finishing.

Worth Scouting: Mario Balotelli (£9.0m), Adam Johnson (£7.5m)

Being the most eye-catching figure on earth, Balotelli never stops to entertain me - both his skills and attitude. He might have to stay behind both Aguero and Tevez, and is very susceptible to foolish red cards and Mancini's banishes from games. However, he can be very threatening when he plays.

Johnson will have no choice but stay on the bench for most of the time, but he is always been productive coming on from bench. He will play a good role if any of the main attackers are injured, so keep an eye on him.