Pellegrini ‘absolutely sure’ Manchester City will win Premier League

Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson United have not mounted a challenge to the Premier League title. Though it may be the better all-round league, the Premier League front-runners simply don’t boast the same glamour and glitz of their Spanish counterparts.

And as for suggesting that Chelsea “would just have carried on longer” if the league had been closer?

The former Malaga manager is believed to warming the Etihad hot seat for Pep Guardiola, who is tipped to take charge next summer.

While cross town rivals, United, went out and bought themselves a whole new midfield, City’s strategy is pretty simple.

Pellegrini has quite the job on his hands convincing his players his is a long-term project worth investing in.

Having spent 49 million pounds on the Liverpool attacker, Raheem Sterling, City are now linked with a move for Wolfsburg midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne.

Champions Cup Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in action at the MCG.

Eddie Howe sensationally led Bournemouth to the Championship title last season.

Marcos Lopes is now the only teenager on Manchester City’s books.

So who better to predict how he thinks the table will look come May?

Further, new signing Elaquim Mangala, the most expensive defender in world football, struggled to fit in.

Coming into the new season then, I feel like there is every reason to be optimistic.

Martin demichellis is not getting any younger and there are plenty of questions being asked about Kompany’s decision making and positional sense. It is beyond doubt that the defensive performances separated the winners from the runners up.

Manchester City are among the big spenders of European football, they have just been released from restrictions on incoming transfers based on Financial Fair Play rules and there are still three weeks of the transfer window to go. They were easily the best side in the country last time out and should be too strong once more, although they can expect to be pushed right to the end by Manchester City, Arsenal and possibly Manchester United. However, the lack of a commanding backline could prove costly.

Like Newcastle, Leicester City and West Ham also have new men at the helm, former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri replacing Nigel Pearson at the King Power Stadium and cult figure Slaven Bilic taking the reins at Upton Park.

Which one realistic signing would you most like to see before deadline day? Star striker Jermain Defoe could be key to their hopes of swerving another relegation dogfight. Instead, his role is now to supply assists to Sergio Aguero, as well as his own share of goals, either from the flank or behind the main striker.

The Argentine is finally over his muscle injuries following a change in diet and is ready to light up the league playing week in week out.

The only other signings which City made to date are two more English players. If I had to pick one, Manchester City seems like a decent bet.

A top-four place should be assured, and you have to imagine that is Pellegrini’s sole goal, but an ageing side simply hasn’t had the necessary injection of fresh blood to look like it can compete with Chelsea, Arsenal or even Manchester United for the title.