City to retain the tite, just!

Despite a quiet transfer window for Roberto Mancini's men, for me they are still the favourites for the Barclays Premier League title. Having Carlos Tevez back for the last few games of the previous season was key as the former United man quickly rediscovered his best form, the highlight an incredible hat-trick away to Norwich. The prospect of an all Argentine strike force, this time for a full season, with Tevez teaming up with Sergio Aguero is a frightening.

During pre-season and the Charity Shield Roberto Mancini played three at the back, and it will be interesting to see if the Italian attempts this during the Premier League season. With Kolo Toure out of favour and Stefan Savic coming in for a heavy amount of criticism from City fans, there's a chance their new signing Jack Rodwell may have to slot in alongside Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott.

Will Rodwell play the libero for Mancini?

An incredible home form (that saw them only slip up once in 19 games) was the key behind their title run. It is unlikely that they'll be able to repeat such excellent form at the Ethiad, so Mancini will be looking for better away form from the Champions, after dropping 23 points on their travels last year.

Key player - Yaya Toure. City's penultimate game of the previous season was a tricky looking away fixture against Newcastle which they needed to win, and the Ivorian put in a performance that arguably ranked higher then any in the season. He's as good going forward as he is putting a shift in defensively, ensuring Toure is one of the first names on the team sheet. With another African Cup of Nations this Premier League season, City will need to cop without their inspirational midfielder.

Prediction 1st- Despite a quiet transfer window, I still expect City to regain their title. Going forward they are at times unplayable, whilst defensively they've improved. Having already hurdled the 'winning it for the first time' obstacle, it's going to be hard for United or anyone for that matter to capture the Premier League away from Mancini's men.

View from a fan - Reece Smith @RASmith28

What would be a perfect season?
Regaining the Premier League whilst winning the Champions League as well as a domestic cup

What would be a nightmare season?
Finishing outside the top four and not winning a trophy.

Do you have the right man in charge?
Yes I personally believe we do

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?
Steven Gerrard.

Would you rather regain the Premier League or win the Champions League?
Regain the Premier League

Sell Carlos Tevez or keep him?
Keep him, him and Sergio Aguero are going to have a sublime partnership this season, and will be the difference in tight games.

Why Manchester City can win the league!

Sergio Aguero's addition is a fantastic one, meaning for me they are just one piece away from the side that can really challenge for the title.

The inconsistent form of Adam Johnson and James Milner means that City need to add an out and out winger to the side. David Silva had a superb first season at the club, however his best position is in the hole of the striker, and with Carlos Tevez set to leave the club, the Spaniard next season may get to play in his favoured position. Roberto Mancini clearly has highlighted the wing position as a worry, with interest in Alexis Sanchez reportedly high, only for the Chilean to join Barcelona. A perfect addition would be a player the club has been heavily linked with in Juan Mata. The Valencia star looks certain to leave the club with Arsenal reportedly another English side interested.

Defensively under Mancini Manchester City have been very good with Vincent Kompany, the clubs player of the year, and Joleon Lescott, who got into the side because of Kolo Toure's ban, forging a very good centre half partnership. They are also very strong in both full-back positions with differing options available to Mancini. The right back birth see's a battle between the attacking Micah Richards and the strong defensively good Pablo Zabaleta, with the left back area a straight fight between Aleksandar Kolarov and summer addition Gael Clichy. With the shield of Nigel De Jong and either Gareth Barry or Kolo Toure protecting a strong back four, for me City have a defensive unit as good as anything in the league.

The addition of Aguero just backs up the fact that the team has goals in it. Tevez's 20 league goals are going to be hard to replace, if his likely exit is confirmed before the end of the current transfer window, however Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Aguero are three strikers who can score. You can always tell of a teams strength when the players who are no longer needed are of the quality of Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy who are of proven Premier League ability, despite the duo failing to score and being loaned out to a Championship club respectively last year.

Under Mark Hughes City lacked a real balance, however despite criticism for deploying 'negative' tactics, under Mancini City had a great year, winning the F.A Cup aswell as a third placed finish in the Premier League, even towards the end of the 2010-11 season some of their performances were hailed for their attacking flair. Their attacking play is supported well with two or even three of Yaya Toure, De Jong and Barry always playing, meaning teams will struggle to break them down. Their F.A cup victory shows that they have the know how to win trophies and with many of their squad successful with their previous clubs, the team has experience in winning leagues.

A reason why I feel City have a great chance this year is that, despite the league being stronger on the whole, the top sides in Arsenal, Chelsea and their Manchester rivals United, have decreased in quality in the last two years. Arsenal often flatter to deceive and when it comes down to the crunch part of the season have been accused of 'bottling it', most notably their 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final. Chelsea's squad is an aging one, with seven first team players over the age of 30, and despite the addition of manager Andre Villas-Boas, I feel unless they add to their squad will struggle to challenge for the title this year. Manchester United despite winning the league last year have lost key players in Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes, and due to the laters retirement they lack a real quality creative midfielder, with this season a huge one for the Brazilian Anderson.

Last season Manchester City struggled for consistency and often drew against sides they really should be beating, however if they can overcome the weaker sides then I really expect them to challenge strongly for the title.

Manchester City are expected to challenge for more honours this year.

City land Aguero

Aguero will now wear the blue of Manchester City

Sergio Aguero became Manchester City's most expensive transfer ever after his £38million move from Atletico Madrid was finally sealed today.

On Thursday evening the club confirmed Aguero had signed a five year deal with the Manchester side, and will wear the number 16 shirt.

On the move Aguero commented "I think we are a team that in future will be fighting every year to win major trophies."

With fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez expected to leave the club, City pressed quickly to sign the much sought after striker, with European giants Juventus and Real Madrid heavily linked with the former Independiente striker.

Aguero becomes City's third major signing of the summer after Stefen Savic and Gael Clichy, however manager Roberto Mancini is expected to add to his already illustrious squad ahead of their season opener against Swansea.

Aguero in action at the recent Copa America