Manchester City poised for elite breakthrough

Toronto, Canada (Sports Network) - With the English Premier League just around the corner, change is in the air.

While the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have long been the dominant teams in the league, Manchester City is not only looking to break into the big four, but also win the entire league.

When the Abu Dhabi United Group purchased the club in August 2008, a substantial amount of funds were made available in order to make the club a contender. A total revamp of the roster began over the next two seasons as players such as Robinho, Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor were all brought in to make the club more competitive.

Perhaps the biggest transfer was that of Carlos Tevez from rival Manchester United. The Argentinean striker made headlines throughout the world for making the switch and it sent a strong message about City's intentions to contend.

The 2009-10 season was a disappointing one for City as they finished in fifth place despite the clubs massive spending habits.. Manager Mark Hughes was sacked midway through the season because of poor results and was replaced by former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini. Under Mancini, the Citizens began to turn around their season which brought hope for the coming season and also a guaranteed birth in the Europa League.

Bringing in reinforcements during the 2010 summer transfer window was on the agenda at City and club management did not disappoint. German international and Hamburger SV defender Jerome Boateng was brought in to boost the defense while Spain star David Silva will look to lead the midfield in the upcoming season.

The biggest splash in the transfer period has yet to be confirmed as young Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli is likely also on the way. Balotelli would give City a young, lethal striker they could build around for years to come. Mancini knows the young attacker well from his days at Inter and his transfer would indeed put City over the top.

A full year under Mancini should also pay dividends for City as Mancini won the Seria A championship with Inter on several occasions and knows what it takes to win a league title.

While City has made significant improvements during in the off-season, competing clubs have not been so active in the transfer market.

Manchester United's lone splash was acquiring Mexican striker Javier Hernandez to boost the forward ranks of the club. Defender Chris Smalling also joined the powerhouse from Fulham, though that had already agreed to during Januarys transfer window.

A new era will begin at Liverpool as Roy Hodgson took the helm from departed manager Rafa Benitez.

New acquisitions Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen should help the club's depth and give the former Fulham manager more options at several positions.

Arsenal have found themselves in a tug of war situation with Barcelona after captain Cesc Fabregas won the World Cup with Spain. The midfielder's interest in playing with Spanish teammates Xavi, Iniesta and Carlos Puyol at Barcelona was so much so that his push for the transfer began to make news throughout the soccer world.

For the moment, the Arsenal captain has pledged his allegiance to current club but theres a likelihood of that changing. While the Fabregas situation was at the forefront for Arsenal during the transfer period, the club did manage to acquire Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh to boost the forward ranks, a trouble spot for the club the last few years because of injuries to Robin Van Persie and the departure of Adebayor to City.

Defending Premier League champions Chelsea have also been surprisingly quiet as the transfer of former Liverpool forward Yossi Benayoun was the club's only major move. The departure of center-back Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid could come back to haunt the club as the depth at that position should be tested.

The 2010-11 season should be an ultra-competitive one in the Premier League, much more so than in previous years. The added challenge of a heavily touted Manchester City team could provide even more drama in one of soccer's best leagues.