With SWP Swoop, Manchester City Now a Champions League Threat

While most top football pundits have been fingering Tottenham as a threat to reign in the Premiership’s Big Four, Manchester City has quietly and quickly emerged as a menace to the dominance of Chelski, Man U, Arsenal, Liverpul.

Their (re)acquisition of (the surprisingly just 26 years old) Shaun Wright-Phillips has the potential to put them among the elite.

A quick look at their squad reveals a surprising amount of talent, mostly young.

In defense they are deep and talented. Micah Richards is the envy of every club in the world, Richard Dunne is a fierce leader that has drawn bids from top rivals, Vedran Corluka is coveted by Spurs, Tal Ben Haim just arrived from Chelsea, Vincent Kompany has world-class potential, and Michael Ball, Javier Garrido and Nedum Onuoha provide quality depth.

Further up the pitch, they are strong on the flanks. Wright-Phillips and Martin Petrov are elite match-winner types.

In the middle, Elano was considered one of the league’s best last season before his performances petered out due to supposed fatigue. Beside him, Michael Johnson has reportedly drawn bids from Arsenal and is phenomenal at age 20, regardless. Stephen Ireland is a capable, young (22 years old) backup.

Up top is where City’s season will be made or broken. Jo’s price tag suggests that he will be a 20+ goals a season scorer, but many question that. Valeri Bojinov arrived with a big reputation, but injuries decimated his first Premiership season. Darius Vassell and Bejani has confirmed in their time in England that they lack the quality to be relied upon as consistent goalscorers.

Perhaps the most promising addition to the club is none other than manager Mark Hughes. Hughesy did a laudable job at Blackburn and steadily improved the club with little net expenditure. Benni McCarthy, David Bentley, Stephen Warnock, and Roque Santa Cruz can all thank him for taking their careers to the next level.

If he can do the same with the talent in Manchester, City may make the toughest leap in football… from Premier League also-rans to Champions League spoilers.

The following line-up may just be one elite goalscorer away:

Joe Hart

Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Ben Haim

Petrov, Elano, Johnson, SWP

Jo, Bojinov