Manchester City - Why Edin Dzeko Should Move On

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has been recently linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, here is why the Bosnian striker should decide to move on.

ai???But I will never be a super sub. I want to play.” ai??i?? said Edin Dzeko at the start of last season.

The 27-year-old has been trying hard to remove the tag of a ai???super subai??i?? labelled on him by fans and media. He feared that his ability to make an impact after coming on late in the game, might just limit him to that role in the squad. Dzeko made 32 appearances for Manchester City last season, out of which he started in only 16. Yet he managed to score 14 goals in league and outscored every other player in the City squad ai??i?? wonderful record for someone who was their third choice striker.

Under former manager Roberto Mancini, Dzeko was pushed down the pecking order behind the likes Tevez and Aguero ai??i?? he even had to compete with Mario Balotelli for the remaining opportunities, before the Italian signed for AC Milan in January last season. Even during the 2011/12 season, Dzeko made only 16 starts in the league, yet managed to make quite an impact whenever he got the opportunities.

A lot of players in the past have been labelled with the tag of a ai???Super subai???. The likes of David Fairclough and Ole Gunnar SolskjaerAi??have made this role, of being an impact player off the bench, their own. But it was clear that Dzeko didnai??i??t want to be another name in that list.

Just two days back, Dzeko scored from a sweet volley in the 10^th minute of Manchester Cityai??i??s clash with Sunderland in the final of the Asia Trophy ai??i?? which proved to be the winner in the end. It was the second winner Dzeko scored in that tournament, after his deciding goal against South China in the semi-final. The lanky forward has made a fine start to the preseason campaign and has scored five goals in his last four games. Although one should be careful about assuming anything based on friendly matches, could the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City be a turning point in his career at the English club?

“I spoke two weeks ago with Dzeko when he was on holiday and he does not have any problems. He will stay here. For me, heai??i??s a very important player. Iai??i??m sure that he will give this year the performances to show what he can do.” ai??i?? Pellegrini said earlier this month, amidst speculation regarding the strikerai??i??s future at the club.

Manchester City have had a busy summer. Although they have lost the likes of Balotelli and Tevez from last season, they have replaced them with exciting names. Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo have joined the club from Fiorentina and Sevilla respectively. So how does that affect Edin Dzekoai??i??s place in the squad?

City are expected to undergo tactical changes under Manuel Pellegrini. The former Malaga manager is unlikely to continue to Manciniai??i??s narrow 4-2-3-1 formation. Pellegrini, unlike Mancini, prefers width ai??i?? which is the reason Navas has arrived at the club. Pellegrini is very flexible tactically and prefers controlled domination, rather than all-out attack. At Villarreal he initially used the 4-4-2, before switching to 4-3-1-2 with Riquelme orchestrating the attack in front of the midfield three, while at Real Madrid he used a conventional 4-2-3-1. During his last stint at Malaga, Pellegrini shuffled between 4-2-3-1 and modified 4-4-2.

During the final of the Asia trophy, Pellegrini fielded both Negredo and Dzeko upfront, with the Bosnian leading the line and Negredo dropping deep at times. But it must be remembered that Jovetic and Aguero are expected to be regular starters next season, which highly reduces the possibility of Negredo and Dzeko forming a partnership in the Premier League.

In all likelihood Pellegrini will switch between a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1 next season, although some reports initially suggested that sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, has urged Pellegrini to field a 4-3-3 formation. If Aguero remains fit, he is almost guaranteed to be a regular starter. Pellegrini will look to use him as a second striker, or as a wide attacker in the top three of a 4-3-3 formation.

Cityai??i??s depth in attack next season is astounding. Pellegrini has the likes of Nasri, Silva, Navas, Jovetic, Aguero, Negredo and Dzeko to choose from. The proposed 4-3-3 formation would however pose the problem of proper utilization of David Silva. The Spaniard can play as a left attacking midfielder, but he seems to be at his best when plays centrally. Given that Silva and Aguero are expected to be regular fixtures in the starting eleven, let us take a look at the other options Pellegrini will have tactically.

4-2-3-1

In this formation Silva is expected to play in the favoured central role, with Jovetic out on the left, Aguero upfront and Navas out-wide on the right. Which means both Negredo and Dzeko are unlikely to start unless Pellegrini decides to play Aguero on the right in place of Navas and installs a target man upfront. But this seems unlikely as neither Aguero nor Jovetic is a natural wide player, which means there will be a lack of width ai??i?? something which Pellegrini despises.

4-4-2

Similar to the formation used recently during the Asian tour, with two strikers upfront and two wingers out wide. But even in this formation it is unlikely that both Negredo and Dzeko will be fielded. Both Aguero and Jovetic are adept at playing the role of second striker. Which means one among Dzeko or Negredo will be played upfront, with Jovetic or Aguero playing a supporting role. But this system is unlikely to be used by Pellegrini with any considerable regularity and will only be a reactive tactical option.

4-3-3

The reportedly proposed formation by Txiki Begiristain seems an interesting one on paper. But there are questions about whether City really have squad to implement this. Moreover, this formation is unlikely to bring out the best of their star man David Silva, who might be forced to play in a wide role, with Aguero and Jovetic forming the front three. This formation will also limit the role of both Negredo and Dzeko.

Among all these options, what Pellegrini will use once the season starts remains a mystery. But sadly for Edin Dzeko, it is perhaps clear that he will once again be limited to a role of a super sub off the bench. He will get his opportunities in domestic cup matches, or when Pellegrini rotates the squad due to injuries or suspensions, but he wonai??i??t be the first choice.

City would like to hold onto him, as he provides a completely different option to the other attackers in the squad. At moments when Pellegrini will have to introduce a bit of physicality and directness in attack, he can rely on Dzeko to do that. But personally for Dzeko, it would perhaps be better to consider other options this summer. At 27, he is approaching a crucial stage of his career, and a striker of his quality deserves to play week in, week out.

He has earlier stated his desire to return to the Bundesliga and reports have also suggested that he has refused a move to Napoli. But Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with him in recent times, and the London club can prove to be an attractive option, as their direct style of play would suit him. Moreover he is sure to be the number one striker ahead of the likes of Defoe and Adebayor. This summer Dzeko might just decide to move on, in order to remove the tag of just being a ai???Super Subai??i?? ai??i?? he has the potential to be much more than that.

Tags: Edin Dzeko Manchester City

Manchester City – Why Edin Dzeko Should Move On

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