Manchester City: Three decisions to make this summer

 

With their title defence ruined and Europe long gone, Man City require drastic action, says Christian Crowther...

 

Tevez out, Falcao in

In any other profession on earth, someone who point blank refuses to do their job would inevitably face the boot, as would any person, you'd imagine, who decides to  abandon it without consent. Not so Carlos Tevez. Despite behaving with the integrity of a tabloid journalist on a "conference call", Tevez was somehow welcomed back to  the fold six months on. While the boy undoubtedly has talent and goals in his game, his effectiveness - in the Premier League especially - is on the wane. Six of his  15 goals have come in cup competitions; while he hasn't contributed a single European goal in his four (minus a half going AWOL) seasons at the Etihad Stadium. Radamel  Falcao is not only more prolific, but the Colombian has finished top scorer in the Europa League twice, helping both Porto and his current club Atletico Madrid to the  trophy.

 

Mancini out, Mourinho in

While Roberto Mancini has delivered the title and an FA Cup during his reign and could be about to deliver a second cup - City are rated as the 2.54 favourites for  glory - there's no hiding City's huge failure this time around. Chopping and changing managers is not a model clubs should follow but this season's domestic  disappointment has been accompanied by further European failure. Another tough draw didn't help, but there is nothing in Mancini's Champions League record at Inter or  Manchester City to suggest that he can inspire a sustained continental challenge. And when a two-time Champions League winner who is 3.55 to complete a hat-trick with  Real Madrid this May is potentially on the market in Jose Mourinho, there is reason to be ruthless.

 

Sign a quality back-up goalkeeper

Joe Hart is on course to claim the Premier League Golden Glove, the award for the goalkeeper who has obtained the most clean sheets, for a third successive season, but  it hasn't been a vintage year for England's number one. The 25-year-old has been more mistake-prone than in past campaigns, and the popular opinion is that  overconfidence and complacency is the primary reason. Though deputy Costel Pantilimon has rarely erred when selected for domestic cup matches, Hart knows that the  Romanian isn't a serious threat to his place having never appeared in the Premier League in two seasons. To properly challenge Hart, it may be necessary to recruit a  shot-stopper more likely to push for a starting spot, to recreate the Shay Given-Hart dynamic.

 

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