Champions League qualification is just the start for City

Manchester City last confirmed their place in the Champions League qualifying round with a 1-0 victory over rivals Tottenham.

The victory at Eastlands ensured that Manchester City will finish at least 4th in the Premier League this season.

Nervous

Last night at times the home side looked very nervous as Tottenham dominated possession for spells. City however, unlike the weekend before at Everton, held onto the valuable lead.

City produced a workmanlike performance but it was good enough to give them a shot at the big time next season. The Citizens will of course have to face a play-off to get into the group stages of the Champions League and face the giants of European football.

Strengthen

I’m sure that before the qualifying stages Manchester City will probably have spent heavily on further strengthening their squad. I don’t think the clubs owners or fans would want the club to fall at the first hurdle and waste all this season’s hard work.

Strong

Manchester City’s squad is very strong after the last few years of free spending. The squad is full of internationals very accustomed to football at the top level of football. That strong squad will only get stronger with big things expected of Manchester City next season.

Expectations

After qualifying for the Champions League I’m sure everybody at the club will want to go as far as possible in the competition next season. They will also be expected to be challengers for the Premier League title next season.

With achievement comes great expectancy but it seems that the players currently at City are capable of shouldering that heavy burden.

Manager

City boss Roberto Mancini’s future at the club always seems to be questioned. The Italian has done a decent job with a massive transfer kitty. His big test will come next season when the club has spent even more money and are expected to be the finished article.

Team

Manchester City are now looking far more like a team than in the early weeks of the season. The squad may have cost a fortune to put together but the players still needed time to gel as a unit.

That squad unity is starting to show more and more in recent weeks. The team spirit seems to growing amongst the current Manchester City squad.

Roberto Mancini will need to be careful that he doesn’t destroy that team spirit by too many comings and goings in the transfer market this summer. The Italian is likely to bring more quality players into the City squad this summer, that means more new faces at Eastlands.

Ambitious

Manchester City have yet to win anything. However the megarich club have the opportunity to put that right on Saturday as they face Stoke City in the FA Cup final. I really doubt that Saturday’s Wembley appearance will be City’s last big occasion in the next few years.

The clubs owners mean business and I don’t think the FA Cup will satisfy their desire for success. I don’t think they will stop until Manchester City have claimed the Premier League title.

Could Manchester City be real Premier League title challengers next season?