Manchester City could hardly be described as suffering the famine after the feast. But, with FIFA FairPlay kicking in Manchester City have been forced to be far less liberal with the cash than they have in the last few seasons.
The marquee signing for the deadline day would of course have been Radamel Falcao but that one didn’t pan out – and that leaves the rest of the title chasers with at least a glimmer of hope of taking the crown off City come May.
But the acquisition of Eliaquim Mangala is an excellent one. The guy is an absolute rock and will slot in next to..well, another absolute rock in Vincent Kompany. The defence looks particularly strong, with with Sagna further supplementing the side, and the addition of Fernando will add yet more depth to the City midfield.
With so many good players in and around the first team City have safeguarded against the sort of injury crisis that could seriously curtail their ambitions.
Of the summer additions, perhaps only Mangala can expect to walk straight into the team. And walk in to our strongest City XI he does.
So here it is, pending last minute acquisitions that go under the radar on deadline day itself. Manchester City fans: is this the best 11?
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Mangala, Kompany, Clichy, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko
