If you follow soccer at all (or even sports in general), then you already know that last weekend's Manchester Derby was one of the most important matches of the season. Not only did it make the ESPN.com homepage, but the game was also seen as a changing of the guard in Manchester and in England. As Manchester City made its way home with an emphatic 6−1 victory, the pronouncements had already begun: the Blues were the new favorites for the Premier League title.
And in some ways, they have spent enough money — more than $1 billion over the past three seasons — on world−class players that it's almost impossible for them not to be considered among the favorites for the league title. But before everyone hops on the Etihad bandwagon, there are many reasons why City should wait before organizing any ticker tape parades.
First of all, as the old saying goes, it's only one game. Yes, City got the better of United throughout the game, but the 6−1 margin was heavily inflated; three of City's goals came in stoppage time and five came after Jonny Evans' needless red card in the 47th minute. The victory also put City just five points clear at the top of the table, a deficit that could be fumbled away in two games.
The wide margin and City's recent form also serve to cover up the problems in a squad that is filled with high−priced, mercurial players. The most notable issue is the situation of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, who was fined four weeks' wages by the club after allegedly refusing to play in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Tevez, 27, now states that he only refused to warm up again, feeling that he was already loose, and is reportedly considering suing manager Roberto Mancini for defamation of character.
The Tevez situation, whatever the eventual resolution, shows the inherent weakness of a team built with "superstars" at every position: you never quite know when it's all going to blow up in their faces. Even though Manchester City arguably has more raw talent than any club in Europe besides Barcelona, the combustible nature of its players leaves a constant air of uncertainty as to what will happen next.
For example, prior to the Derby, it was reported that City striker Mario Balotelli accidentally lit his house on fire while playing with fireworks in his bathroom. Balotelli, always one to be in the headlines, has apologized for the incident and has now become an ambassador for fireworks safety. You really can't make this stuff up.
Obviously, the City dressing room is not always the happiest place to be, and the challenge for Mancini will be making sure that none of these off−the−field shenanigans become evident on the pitch. But it won't be easy, especially because the Citizens face a run of games in December when they have to play Bayern Munich (in the Champions League), Chelsea and Arsenal in the course of 11 days. Meanwhile, Manchester United has already played the dangerous Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool squads.
If City can come through that period with seven points or more, I'll start taking it as a serious Champions League and Premier League contender. But until then, there's just too much uncertainty surrounding the team, despite its unbeaten Premier League record. As Mario Balotelli knows all too well, Manchester City is like a firework: most of the time it creates spectacular results, but sometimes it just blows up in your face.
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David McIntyre is a sophomore who is majoring in political science. He can be reached at David.McIntyre@tufts.edu.
