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What's needed from Man City in '08-'09?
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Can he take Man City to a Top-4 finish this year?
So as I scramble around trying to buy up as many tickets as possible while I’m in London, this article caught my attention. The general gist is that Kaka would consider joining Manchester City and their free-spending ways this next summer if they qualify for the Champions League – which would require a Top-4 finish in the English Premier League (which most likely means knocking out Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea).
This is an interesting development in itself, as Kaka would be an extremely fun addition for the EPL and obviously improve City. But the more important issue is what it’s going to take this season for Manchester City to become a lucrative enough location for star players to jump at the type of money they appear willing to offer.
These new owners can throw all the green in the world at the stars, but the best players still want to play in the most high-profile competitions and would not be too excited about spending an initial season at City if they aren’t qualified for the granddaddy of all events. In fact, you could argue a Top-4 placement is pretty stinkin’ necessary if they want to pull off their desired one- or two-year rise to the elite of Europe.
So the main question is, 1) With the additions of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho, can City go from good to great within this current season, and within that question 2) Can they lure other targets during the January transfer window?
To the first question, it honestly seems almost too tall a task to break into the Top-4 with a frantic grab-bag of talent. City has not been among the elite, and a full season will expose any and all weaknesses a team might have. Talented Liverpool squads have shined in the European Cup, only to falter over the full season. Taking a club and adding money doesn’t always produce immediate results.
That said, should City enter the January transfer window in the Top-4 or at least in decent position to reach that level by the end of the year, they would have a stronger pitch to potential transfer targets – come play here and make sure we make it to the Champions League next year. That makes a strong City start to the season a crucial factor as the year wears on.
Regardless, this is going to be a tough road for Man City. But it’s hard to ever count out an unlimited money supply, which they certainly have at their disposal.
What do you think? How necessary is the Top-4 finish, and do you think they can do it with their current pieces? How active will Man City be in January?
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