Written by Ricky Murray
Since Manchester City’s monumental takeover last year that saw billions being ploughed into the club, the numerous players and new signings that were there before and bought after, seemed to finally be gelling together as a unit, but with yet another new addition to the team in Edin Dzeko coming in from German side Wolfsburg, could it spoil the flow, just when it seemed that they would be able to sustain a real serious challenge to the championship crown? Sound familiar?
Well, maybe the name Faustino Asprilla is the name that is cropped up in your brain because it was in February 1996 that the Columbian joined Newcastle United for £6.7million from Italian side Parma, with the magpies flying high at the top of the table, twelve points clear of their nearest challengers, Manchester United. As of now, the Geordies still hold the record for the most consecutive home Premier league wins – 14 from 14th May to 3rd February 1996 – which is a remarkable feat, but one that they could not build upon. Asprilla made his debut exactly a week after that spell ended, in a 2-1 away win over Middlesboro’ – a match in which they were 1-0 down before ‘rubber legs’ came on, and with a bit of trickery, set up an equalising goal for Steve Watson. Les Ferdinand capped off the win by scoring a winner that resulted from a howler by the then ‘Boro keeper Gary Walsh. Newcastle must have been counting their lucky stars that the unpredictable South American was now on their books, particularly after that game. And he was certainly a talented young man but it may have spoiled the winning formula that they had become accustomed to, as just a month after having a twelve point lead, they found themselves on level terms with the United from Manchester who eventually went on to win the title.
Roberto Mancini’s City side are a much tougher proposition in this campaign than last season and they are some way off being in the same position that the Magpies were 15 years ago, but however close they get to the title this year could be determined by the signing of Dzeko. Who knows, in this unpredictable season, Alex Ferguson’s side may have dropped points whilst Mancini’s winning formula that has been in consistent form since November may have continued with his assorted group of players finally looking at ease with contending for the championship. But will the addition of Dzeko disturb that formula or will he provide that extra bit of firepower that City need to REALLY push their rivals for the league title?
Before Saturday and their contest with Aston Villa, the blues were level on points with Alex Ferguson’s United team, albeit having played two games more, but with their neighbours not being at their best this season, the title is there for the taking. The Bosnian international, Dzeko has an impressive goalscoring record with 92 goals in 142 appearances at club level whilst notching 15 in 26 for his country. His performance in his first City game against Villa was mixed; his deft touches on the ball were sensational, but sometimes he spent a little too long with it, which was an accusation often levelled at Asprilla at Newcastle.
The north-east side played at a frenetic pace before his arrival, catching their opponents by surprise in the delightful counter-attacking football, scoring a hatful of goals in the process, but when the Columbian got the ball, he slowed down proceedings with tricks that were not necessary, which let the opposition players get back into their positions, and although some of Dzeko’s crossing in the second half at Villa Park was superb, this is what he often did in the first half on Saturday. The speed of the Premiership is something that he will have to get used to and I am sure that he will, but his inexperience did not help in their defeat by a struggling Villa side albeit one rejuvenated by the arrival of a man who calls himself Darren Bent.
Like Newcastle had to do with Asprilla in 1996, City now have to accommodate their £27million signing, which may take a little time; a time in which they could be dropping valuable points, but as long as they reach the Champions League, that is the main priority, and they are on course to do that. Mancini is still in the process of building a team for the near future and Dzeko is part of that future. The Italian did not expect to be winning the title this year, and if they don’t, Dzeko’s contribution will not be seen to be detrimental to that. City may get used to accommodating the Bosnian more quickly than expected, with more goals and opportunities than ever before, but only time will tell. Watch this space.
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