---
title: "5 Manchester City players who simply need to improve – Agreed?"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/5-manchester-city-players-who-need-to-improve/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Buxey"
section: "Manchester City Football Club"
published: "2015-11-23T19:33:25Z"
modified: "2015-11-23T19:33:25Z"
---

# 5 Manchester City players who simply need to improve – Agreed?

Manchester City’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool left many Sky Blue Fans in the Transfer Tavern in complete shell shock.

Indeed, the Saturday Night football clash saw City Fans turning to the whisky, and Liverpool fans popping the champagne after their side’s brilliant attacking display.

Yet, while Liverpool were superb, City’s squad on paper is far too good to be beaten that comprehensively, particularly at home. Too many of City’s players were not up for the fight, and they were seriously punished as a result.

It is the second time they have lost 4-1 this season, following their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and while they have impressed many this term, results like this cannot continue if they are to regain their Premier League crown.

What was most worrying was how City imploded without their captain Vincent Kompany. Like the Tottenham game, the absence of the big Belgian at centre half meant many chinks were exposed in City’s armour, as they simply could not deal with Liverpool.

If City are going to win the title this year, their squad simply must cope better when fringe players are given their chance to deputise for the big boys. Below, we picked out five players who we think really need to improve this season.

## Hit Pellegrini below to see FIVE members of his team that desperately need to improve!

\[ffc-gallery\]

![Pellegrini](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Pellegrini.jpg?admin)

\[/ffc-gallery\]

## Bacary Sagna

![Sagna](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4703113.jpg)

Despite his vast Premier League experience, Bacary Sagna was terrible against Liverpool.

With Pablo Zabaleta currently injured, this is a great chance for Sagna to make the right back spot his own, but he is not going to do that if he performs like he did against the Reds. I

f Sagna does not buck his ideas up, Sky Blues fans will be counting down the days for Zabaleta to return.

## Eliaquim Mangala

![Eliaquim Mangala](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4691407.jpg)

Mangala looked like he had started the season pretty well, but sometimes look lost if he is not alongside Vincent Kompany.

Having paid almost £30 million for his services, City fans would be expecting far more from the French defender. His own goal against Liverpool on Saturday was one Djjmi Traore would be proud of, and he certainly wasn’t a £30 million pound defender.

## Martin Demichelis

![Martin Demichelis](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4607946.jpg)

Unlike Mangala, City fans arguably have slightly lower expectations for fourth-choice centre-back Martin Demichelis.

Nevertheless, if City are going to win the title, Demichelis needs to use his age and experience to his advantage, and be ready to put in a good display when called upon.

The former Bayern Munich defender has only improved since he joined Man City, but perhaps it is time for Pellegrini to look for more adequate cover.

## Yaya Toure

![Toure](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/4602082.jpg)

The Liverpool match was another example of Yaya Toure’s laziness at times. It was baffling to see Fernandinho on the bench, who has arguably been one of City’s best players this season.

Toure simply cannot played in defensive midfield as he is far far too lazy. However, a player of Toure’s quality really should be more versatile, and certainly shouldn’t be putting in lack-lustre displays like this.

## Raheem Sterling

![Raheem Sterling](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4700073.jpg)

Sterling has managed four Premier League goals for Man City so far this season. However, these have come against Watford and Bournemouth. Without disrespecting these teams, City fans would surely be expecting their £49 million man to step it up a bit more against the bigger sides.

City’s record against their rivals has largely been poor so far, and players such as Sterling will need to step up to the plate if they are serious about making a title challenge.