With the league season complete and the summer transfer season about to heat up, SoccerAnchor has decided to play Technical Director and believes Manchester City need to bring in certain players in order to improve on the past campaign's results.Saikat Chatterjee explains...

Starting from Carlos Tevez’ act of desertion to Mario Balotelli’ burning down his house, Throwing away a hefty point gap only to recover from an eight point deficit in the final few games and then sealing the title in the most extraordinary circumstances, it has been quite a remarkable year in the Blue half of Manchester.

Last week, Roberto Mancini and his men secured what was only the second title for Manchester City after 44 years of sufferings. Constantly branded as the ‘Noisy neighbours’, the Citizens finally managed to usurp their crosstown rivals and claimed the Premier League crown. Having dominated for large parts of the season, City seemed to have thrown it all away when a consistent run of poor form and a couple of deficiencies in the squad not only allowed their fierce rivals Manchester United a way back in, but also handed United an eight point lead at the top. 

However, all the drama was reserved for the climax as the Red Devils plagued with injuries all season dramatically slipped up right at the end with an incredible 4-4 draw at home to Everton and narrow defeats away to Wigan and City allowing City to pull themselves level on points with the champions. With a victory needed to win the league in the final game of the season, City left it late as the Citizens became the first team to win the league on goal difference after two late goals snatched a memorable victory against the Hoops.

                                MUST: BRING IN A QUALITY WINGER

The absence of an out and out winger has often left City with the limited options away from home against smaller teams with packed backline.

Mancini had to stick with Silva and Nasri on the wings for a major part of the season, neither of whom are natural wingers. And the fact that Adam Johnson is an impact player meant that City had to rely on their full backs mostly for width, especially with Silva drifting into the centre most of the time and Nasri twisting and turning around the edge of the box with little or no penetration.

Eden Hazard has been the name on the lips of the Etihad faithful after the mercurial Belgian international claimed to have made up his mind to play in England next year. However, the Citizens will have to cough up a hefty amount of money in order to lure the highly rated winger. With Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United interested in the young prodigy, City will be keen to tie up a deal as soon as possible.

                                  MUST: BRING IN A PLAYMAKER

City have looked a fantastic side with the Ivorian dictating the proceedings at the middle of the park. However, that hasn’t been the case in his absence.

The Ivorian has been a tremendous hit in the Premier league since his move from Barcelona with a reputation of bullying the opposition with strength, skill and stamina. With Gareth Barry and De Jong failing to step up in the absence of the marvellous midfield maestro, City have been over-reliant on Toure.

In order to increase the depth of the midfield, Mancini opted to sign David Pizzaro on loan from Roma in January, but the Chilean has failed to make much of an impact since his arrival.

City will be looking to plug the gaps this summer and with talented midfielders such as Cabaye, Modric and Cheick Tiote seeking greener pastures, it could be a perfect match.

                                    MUST: BRING IN A DEFENDER

Despite boasting the best defence in the league, the City defence has been pretty mediocre in the absence of their charismatic skipper, Vincent Kompany.

The likes of Lescott and Savic have looked shaky while dealing with technically gifted players. A Centre Back would be a priority for Mancini in the summer should he decide to maintain the reputation of having the best defence in the league next year.

City have been linked to Vermaelen recently. The Arsenal star is exactly the sort of player to add quality to the City backline alongside Kompany.

                                                             MUST: BRING IN A STRIKER

Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for City this year.

However, should Tevez finalize his move to Milan and Juventus come calling for Ediz Dzeko in the summer, City will be looking to add an experienced forward in order to relieve some of the goal scoring burden off Sergio Aguero.  

Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie has been heavily linked to the Manchester outfit. The Arsenal frontman has been in scintillating form this year and is seeking bigger and better opportunities now that he is at his peak. City could be the perfect destination for the ambitious Dutchman in his quest for silverware.