City Sights Set High

Given, Richards, Kompany, Dunne, Bridge, Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz. This, as it stands, appears to be Manchester City's strongest line-up for the start of next season's Premier League. The likes of Elano, Zabaleta, Petrov, De Jong, Bellamy and Onouha may have something to say about that, as will most Mark Hughes who seems intent on landing at least a centre back - Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and England captain John Terry have been mentioned - and a centre forward - Emmanuel Adebayor could already be close to securing a deal.

Under the assumption that Adebayor concludes his deal and that Hughes manages to persuade on experienced Premiership defender to join the ranks, then City will boast an impressive team sheet. One of their biggest concern last year was the lack of goals from the forward position - their less-than-prolific strikers in the tallied just 16 league goals between them; Caicedo (5), Sturridge (4), Bellamy (3), Benjani (1), Evans (1), Jo (1), Bojinov (1). Despite their profligacy in front of goal, City were still 5th top scorers in the league and their 40 home goals and 39 home points placed third to only their cross-town neighbours and Liverpool.

Unfortunately for the Citizens, they could only score 18 goals away from The City of Manchester Stadium and picked up just 11 points; 8 teams scored less goals but only 3 amassed less points. A large factor in this discrepancy between home and away form was the impact of Robinho, splendid at home (11 goals) but often anonymous on the road (just 3 goals). If City are determined to break into the top four this year, and the calibre of players they are signing points to this, then they must be better on their travels.

While they certainly conceded too many goals away from home - 32, more than every team except Spurs in the top 10 - their inability to hold onto possession may have been their biggest weakness. Hughes signed Nigel De Jong to be a physical presence in the middle of the park and to win the ball back but, while he did impact the team, he could not alleviate the root of the problem. City lacked an experienced, physical striker that could hold up the ball and were exposed for their maverick personality -great one day, shocking the next. On the wish list for the summer? Leadership and such a forward.

Of last years crop of forwards, Sturridge and Jo are already signed up for different teams come the opening day and Benjani, Caicedo and Evans could all well be on their way out of the club or see limited playing time next term. Valeri Bojinov has suffered terribly with injury since signing two years ago, appearing just 11 times, and cannot be relied upon while Craig Bellamy is an impish, pacy striker who needs a partner to profit. Santa Cruz and Adebayor should fill this void while Carlos Tevez is the kind of player that any team would want.

But there are potential issues to these deals; Firstly, Tevez, Santa Cruz and Adebayor combined for only 19 league goals last year. Tevez, since moving to England, has not been a regular scorer, nor has he proved so at international level. What he will do is harry, chase, create and provide an identity to the team both at home and away.

In the cases of Adebayor and Santa Cruz, City are gambling that the two can recapture the form they showed two seasons ago, when they were two of the most dangerous strikers in the country. If they buy in to the work ethic that Hughes summoned at Blackburn Rovers and regain the goal scoring touch then Man City could well be challenging for a coveted top four spot. If they don't, well, they'll probably just buy two new players that can.

But the biggest signing of the summer to date for this team? Gareth Barry. This team lacked maturity, both in terms of age and playing style, last season but in Barry have a former captain, an England regular and an unassuming player that can direct the team from its core. The likes of Robinho, Elano, Ireland, Wright-Phillips and the new additions will benefit from Barry's passing, his vision and his attitude more than perhaps any other.

Teams take times to come together. This team has likely not finished transforming into next year's version. It would still be an upset for any side to break the monopoly on the top four but City are addressing their past problems and, if they can persuade an elite defender to join the fray, will be laying down the gauntlet in the pre-season-potential league. As for the real season? Decision pending until they play Arsenal and United in consecutive fixtures in mid-September.