Eliaquim Mangala

[Pizy 18,961]

Fabregas- proven world class player

Courtois- proven world class player

Filipe Luis- proven world class player and arguably the best in the world at his position

Costa- coming off of his best season playing for a side very similar to ours which won the league and was in the CL final

How are they an unknown quantity? These aren't young kids with a lot to learn and need to be molded in to top players. You know exactly what you're getting with these guys (with the exception of Costa, possibly). I think these new signings will go the way of Matic. I think they'll slot right in.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Lol

[The Mak 4,459]

If City sign him or not, we'll still be the strongest defensively. It won't matter. There's enough potential brain farts between Hart, Kompany and Pellegrini for the coming season. Not to mention Aguero who has become a sicknote; and Yaya who will never best the previous season and is more concerned with money and that massive chip on his shoulder.

I'm not saying we'll walk the league, but City aren't as impressive as some would make it. They relied on others like us and Liverpool handing it to them last season rather than winning it on their own brilliance.

Anyway, I never saw what the hype was about Mangala. I sometimes imagine that Porto & Benfica have their own hype-machines to help with inflating transfer fees. But we'll see how good he actually is when he's in a top league.

[Madmax 9,219]

City do start as favourites in my opinion. Settled squad, strong spine and better strength in depth than last year. Toure may or may not have another season at a similar level to the last but if they keep Aguero and Kompany fit (a big if), they won't need him to step up all the time.

We'll be right up there with the signings we've made and I can see United really coming back into it because they don't have any threat of distraction and injury/fatigue from the UCL. Not too concerned about Arsenal at the moment, their 'title bid' will last till November.

[lionsden 4,689]

Fabregas- proven world class player

Courtois- proven world class player

Filipe Luis- proven world class player and arguably the best in the world at his position

Costa- coming off of his best season playing for a side very similar to ours which won the league and was in the CL final

How are they an unknown quantity? These aren't young kids with a lot to learn and need to be molded in to top players. You know exactly what you're getting with these guys (with the exception of Costa, possibly). I think these new signings will go the way of Matic. I think they'll slot right in.

It's easy. They are the defending champions and have won 2 of the last 3 premier league title. that's a known quantity and that's a winning pedigree.

[sherry33 234]

I don't need to answer that with big paragraph. They are the defending champions and have won 2 of the last 3 premier league title. that's a known quantity and that's a winning pedigree.

Funny words considering they needed us to beat Liverpool to win a title

[lionsden 4,689]

City do start as favourites in my opinion. Settled squad, strong spine and better strength in depth than last year. Toure may or may not have another season at a similar level to the last but if they keep Aguero and Kompany fit (a big if), they won't need him to step up all the time.

We'll be right up there with the signings we've made and I can see United really coming back into it because they don't have any threat of distraction and injury/fatigue from the UCL. Not too concerned about Arsenal at the moment, their 'title bid' will last till November.

And that's it in a nutshell. They are the favorites.

[lionsden 4,689]

Funny words considering they needed us to beat Liverpool to win a title

They should have sent jose a bottle of don perignon. ungrateful lot

[didierforever 7,349]

even with our 3 WC signings, city's squad is definitely better than ours!!! no questions there,

hell, even their reserve team for next year

caballero

sagna demichellis nastasic kolarov

navas garcia fernando milner

jovetic dzeko/negredo

is good enough to beat the likes of spurs and pool.

[The Mak 4,459]

It's easy. They are the defending champions and have won 2 of the last 3 premier league title. that's a known quantity and that's a winning pedigree.

And they have been convincing title wins have they? Desperately trying to score in added time at home to QPR to win the league on goal difference and having two rivals throw it away in the last 3 games? Liverpool, with their one-man team and us without a striker and other glaring holes in our squad? Hardly convincing.

A 'winning pedigree' is winning the title with a record number of points or with games to spare. A 'winning pedigree' is constantly getting into the last 8-4 of the CL. A 'winning pedigree' is having confidence and consistency. A 'winning pedigree' is us in 04-06 or 09/10. It's more than simply having a fantasy team, it's a mentality and City do not have it yet. There is always an air of doubt which City will turn up: the team that blows other away or the bunch on individual who look like they couldn't be bothered (epitomised by Yaya). Until that air of doubt is gone I don't think anyone is thoroughly convinced by them.

[lionsden 4,689]

And they have been convincing title wins have they? Desperately trying to score in added time at home to QPR to win the league on goal difference and having two rivals throw it away in the last 3 games? Liverpool, with their one-man team and us without a striker and other glaring holes in our squad? Hardly convincing.

A 'winning pedigree' is winning the title with a record number of points or with games to spare. A 'winning pedigree' is constantly getting into the last 8-4 of the CL. A 'winning pedigree' is having confidence and consistency. A 'winning pedigree' is us in 04-06 or 09/10. It's more than simply having a fantasy team, it's a mentality and City do not have it yet. There is always an air of doubt which City will turn up: the team that blows other away or the bunch on individual who look like they couldn't be bothered (epitomised by Yaya). Until that air of doubt is gone I don't think anyone is thoroughly convinced by them.

They finished above other 19 teams at the end of a 38 game marathon and that's all that matters. they won and we din't.

History books wouldn't describe them as "lucky winners of 11/12 and narrow winners of 2013/14" but as winners pure and simple. if it was that easy why couldn't one of the other 19 teams including us stop them from winning it 2x in 3 seasons?

[The Mak 4,459]

They finished above other 19 teams at the end of a 38 game marathon and that's all that matters. they won and we din't.

History books wouldn't describe them as "lucky winners of 11/12 and narrow winners of 2013/14" but as winners pure and simple. if it was that easy why couldn't one of the other 19 teams including us stop them from winning it 2x in 3 seasons?

My last posts already answered this, but I'll say again:

I'm not saying we'll walk the league, but City aren't as impressive as some would make it. They relied on others like us and Liverpool handing it to them last season rather than winning it on their own brilliance.

Yes, their team is great, and that's the only thing that has barely won them the league those two times. All those wages and millions spent over the past number of years and it has equated to two very unconvincing league wins, good for them. Looking beyond that though, it's all very hollow. When you can question their drive and motivation because they can make Cardiff and Villa away look like world beaters, something is amiss. Couple that with the fact that we outplayed them home and away with an much inferior squad, their past 'success' is hardly an accurate yardstick to compare the upcoming season to when our squad has improved significantly by comparison.

Another thing is that City's squad is so good that it's hard to imagine that Mangala making a 'massive' impact on the squad's dimensions. Did Jovetic? I mean, will his impact be as big as Fabregas/Costa for us? I severely doubt it.

Again, I'm not saying they're shit, but I hate this fake air of invincibility put around them just because they're signing more players to an already brilliant squad who have hardly walked the league in the past.

[remains of the day 564]

They finished above other 19 teams at the end of a 38 game marathon and that's all that matters. they won and we din't.

History books wouldn't describe them as "lucky winners of 11/12 and narrow winners of 2013/14" but as winners pure and simple. if it was that easy why couldn't one of the other 19 teams including us stop them from winning it 2x in 3 seasons?

Well in the context of your argument, yes it does matter. That they won both titles in the slightest of margins shows that maybe they're not the dominant "walk the league" force that you're evidently trying to portray them as.

I think you're over glorifying their quality and strength while minimizing ours.

[pakito 17]

They have have won 2 of last 3 titles, they are reigning champions that have addressed their weak point (if they sing Mangala and if he doesnt flop) and increased depth. Take in conideration Pellegrinis 1st year, injuries to many key players, catastrophic away form at beginning of the season especially etc. SO I cant understand why people need to fight others who can admit they are favorites. That being said, I can still see us or other team beating them to the crown, its all about football. We will see that next season, it's gonna be tough competition and I'll love it. And I wish we will win 2 ''lucky'' titles in next few years

[The Skipper 20,609]

They have have won 2 of last 3 titles, they are reigning champions that have addressed their weak point (if they sing Mangala and if he doesnt flop) and increased depth. Take in conideration Pellegrinis 1st year, injuries to many key players, catastrophic away form at beginning of the season especially etc. SO I cant understand why people need to fight others who can admit they are favorites. That being said, I can still see us or other team beating them to the crown, its all about football. We will see that next season, it's gonna be tough competition and I'll love it. And I wish we will win 2 ''lucky'' titles in next few years

It's not admitting whether they're favourites or not... People are arguing against the notion that City will walk the league.

[Jase 43,479]

Manchester City confident of sealing £32m deal for Eliaquim Mangala

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

According to the latest rumours the deal is not done yet. City and Porto have agreed terms, but Mangala has asked for another "period of reflection" because he is still waiting for a sign from Mourinho.

That's so funny haha. He really does not want to go there. But he should also know that Mourinho won't go near that amount Porto is asking for (€38-40m).

[sherry33 234]

According to the latest rumours the deal is not done yet. City and Porto have agreed terms, but Mangala has asked for another "period of reflection" because he is still waiting for a sign from Mourinho.

That's so funny haha. He really does not want to go there. But he should also know that Mourinho won't go near that amount Porto is asking for (€38-40m).

Would be funny to get him just so we can laugh at City but his price tag is to much.

[BenIsLegend 475]

Surprised no one has put this in here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28476691

Better shots of the video here even though it is 101GG http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/man-city-leak-footage-of-eliaquim-mangala-signing-for-the-club-remove-it-but-it-still-exists-video/

[The Chels 2,502]

Surprised no one has put this in here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28476691

Better shots of the video here even though it is 101GG http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/man-city-leak-footage-of-eliaquim-mangala-signing-for-the-club-remove-it-but-it-still-exists-video/

That was from his medical which was a while ago. Strange that they've not signed him yet although I read his girlfriend isn't keen on living in Manchester so that might have stalled the deal.