Yesterday we reviewed the best and worst case scenarios for some of Manchester City’s defenders. Now we finish up the defenders and start on the midfield, beginning with Martin Demichelis.
MARTIN DEMICHELIS
Best Case Scenario: Even at age 34, Demichelis continues to be a steady and consistent center back for City, and signs another one-year contract extension to remain at City.
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Worst Case Scenario: Demichelis’ lack of pace is constantly exposed by speedy strikers and he starts playing like most 34-year-old center backs.
JASON DENAYER
Best: Denayer’s experience with Celtic and Belgium makes it easy for the 20-year-old to perform well in his first season in the Premier League and lives up to the hype around him.
Worst: Denayer is still too raw and the 20-year-old shows he isn’t ready in the limited appearances he receives. A loan to the Championship or back to Celtic is a possibility for January.
PABLO ZABALETA
Best: Zabaleta continues to be one of the Barclays Premier League’s top right back and City fans lovingly sing about him.
Worst: Zabaleta loses some of his pace and becomes a target for the Premier League’s top pacey wingers, with Bacary Sagna eventually replacing him at right back.
BACARY SAGNA
Best: Sagna regains the form that made him a rock at the back for Arsenal for several seasons, as the 32-year-old manages to win the battle with “Father Time” for this season.
Worst: Another good season from Zabaleta plus Sagna’s rising age means he’s relegated to the bench for anything besides cup matches and when the Argentine international needs a rest.
YAYA TOURE
Best: With Fernandinho, Fernando and Fabian Delph all able to provide support in the midfield, Toure is able to roam free and be a major contributor to City’s attack, reaching numbers similar to his 20 goals and nine assists from two years ago.
Worst: Toure’s downward slide continues. His play is inconsistent, he looks lazy on the pitch and worst of all, he looks very old.
FERNANDINHO
Best: Fernandinho’s excellent partnership with Toure in the midfield is rekindled from the 2012-13 season. Fernandinho does the the defensive dirty work in the midfield allowing City’s attack to thrive.
Worst: Fernandinho starts the season still dealing with fatigue from Brazil’s Copa America and struggles in the midfield due to Toure’s laziness when he tracks back.
FERNANDO
Best: After a disappointing first season, Fernando proves he deserves to play for City by improving basically every aspect of his game. The bar is pretty low amongst most City fans for him.
Worst: It’s hard to imagine him being any worse than he was last year, but if he somehow does perhaps even more poorly than the 2014-15 season, he won’t see the pitch much at all.
FABIAN DELPH
Best: Delph silences the doubters questioning his ability and loyalty by getting consistent starts and proving that he deserves a place in one of the best teams in England. Delph’s form also leads to him starting for England in Euro 2016.
Worst: Delph’s earlier injury sets the tone for a season filled with injury and disappointment as the decision to leave Aston Villa to fight for a place at City is one he’ll begin to regret.
Check back tomorrow for the best and worst case scenarios for the rest of the midfielders and the strikers.
Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?