Should Edin Dzeko continue to test himself at the Etihad?
Life as a Manchester City star rarely goes according to plan for players such as Edin Dzeko.
They inevitably arrive at the Etihad on a wave of hype and expectation that often lasts a while – but if things ever start slowing down for even the briefest of periods – the chance for such talents to re-establish themselves back in the manager’s first team plans becomes all the more difficult.
The 29-year-old Bosnian may have been one of the shining lights of the Bundesliga during his time playing in Germany, but the tests of English football have nevertheless been harder to manage for the technical centre-forward so far in the Premier League.
Dzeko seems to operate for Manchester City largely in differing spells. Sometimes he proves to be the main man for Manuel Pellegrini’s side – particularly in the injury caused absence of Sergio Aguero – yet on other occasions the former Wolfsburg hit-man acts as not much more than a £27 million bench warmer at the Etihad.
In light of what has so far been a very stop-start Premier League career for striker in question, should Edin Dzeko continue to test himself within the ever-revolving squad at Man City, or is a move away from the Etihad the only viable option left for this somewhat forgotten star?
With the Citizens recently completing their latest marque signing in the January transfer window – the highly sought after Wilfried Bony – it seems sensible to suggest that yes, the Bosnia and Herzegovina striker should perhaps move on in order to better his career. At 29-years-old Dzeko’s best days are hardly ahead of him, so now simply goes down as a vital stage in his so far successful career.
Manchester City have enough financial power behind them to replace their current batch of stars with the next generation of high profile names year after year. Managerial appointments also seem to be being made on a short-term basis down at the Etihad since their takeover as well, so the signs for the club’s sharp-eyed no. 10 just don’t look too promising at this current stage.
None of this is to say that Edin Dzeko is no longer good enough to represent Manuel Pellegrini’s star-studded outfit however. He may have only notched a meagre four Premier League goals this campaign, but as most of his time out on the pitch this season began on the subs bench, such a statistic hardly highlights the player’s overall game.
The Bosnian international is capable of some truly fine finishes on his day. Dzeko has a composure in the final third that most strikers would love to have, he can link up effectively enough with the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva in the heart of his side’s midfield – and also proves successful at providing for his teammates as well as getting on the score-sheet himself.
At least partially, his weak goal-scoring stats this season are therefore born out of a lack of confidence on Manuel Pellegrini’s part, rather than because Dzeko isn’t capable of doing the business at the top level anymore. Bet on the rest of Manchester City’s live matches this season using the predictions from our betting previews.
With Roberto Mancini reportedly calling for his ex-player back in Italy with Inter Milan though, perhaps Manchester City’s often forgotten striker may make one last stride in European football come the end of the season. Watch this space…
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