Manuel Pellegrini
Pellegrini will have plenty of variables to manage this season.

Last season

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Group Stage

FA Cup: Runners-up

League Cup: Third Round

Top scorers: Sergio Aguero & Carlos Tevez (17)

Summer work

Manuel Pellegrini was appointed with limited fanfare in June to replace Roberto Mancini. In the market, after last summer's late trolley dash and the problems that subsequently followed the hierarchy at the Etihad Stadium have learnt from their mistakes with a clinical approach in the window. Last season's predictability in attack looks has been solved with Jesus Navas and Fernandinho adding to the club's creative options and following the departure of Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic will supplement one of the most feared forward lines in Europe.

Manager - Manuel Pellegrini

Such is the impressiveness of the Chilean that qualms over Mancini's premature departure last season are a distant memory. Pellegrini has a body of work, temperament and the stature to unite a City squad which failed miserably to retain their league title. Championships were claimed throughout South America before moving Europe where he overachieved with both Villarreal and Malaga either side of a record breaking 12-month spell at Real Madrid. Has managed big reputations, big clubs and big pressure with equal measure so should be right at home in the Premier League.

Key Player - Sergio Aguero

The rollercoaster of a ride that has been Sergio Aguero's career in the Premier League took another twist last season after injury ruled him out sporadically. With a haul of 12 goals from the 22 games he did play, City fans will be wondering how differently the table might have looked had the Argentine played a full part. With David Silva and Yaya Toure's powers having diluted Aguero, fitness permitting, he can carry the baton for City this season. His pace remains breath-taking and in form there are few better strikers in the Premier League.

Expectations

Big spending always brings enhanced expectations while many reputations would have been damaged by last season's tame relinquishing of the league title. Joe Hart and Silva will be expected to improve after difficult campaigns while Vincent Kompany's fitness is also crucial to a light-weight City defence. Pellegrini's failure to win a major trophy in Europe raises questions over his ability to deliver the title but there will be no excuses on the continent.

Prediction

Success in Europe is overdue for Pellegrini and the wait is nearly over. 1st