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As Manchester City’s tempestuous relationship with Roberto Mancini came to a stuttering end, it seemed a few of his signings were going to closely follow him out of the Etihad exit door. A season of disjointed failure saw the man who led City to their first title in 44 years unceremoniously sacked, but many of his players, who were just as responsible for City’s limp title defence, didn’t pay such a heavy price.



Two who looked absolutely certain to leave somehow remained. Edin Dzeko failed to land himself a move back to the Bundesliga where he had previously thrived, and Samir Nasri, who had endured a dreadful season, was the focus of little attention from other clubs. Both were given a stay of execution; but both knew that this season was their last chance to endear themselves to City fans.



The direction the two have gone in this season could hardly be more different. While Nasri has become City’s most creative player, and is now one of the first names on the team sheet, Dzeko continues to frustrate with his inconsistency and laziness. The contrast between them could not be sharper.



Nasri has been a revelation. Here is a player who was on the fringes of matches last season, struggling for form, unable to influence or dictate City’s play. His nadir came when he flinched pathetically in the wall Joe Hart had set up to defend Robin Van Persie’s injury-time free-kick in the derby at the Etihad last December. The ball flew past Hart, and City, who had worked so hard to get themselves back into the game from 2-0 down, were beaten. It was the first major blow in the title race and City never really recovered. The City fans, who pride themselves on hardwork and demand the same from their players, were unimpressed.



Mancini was hugely frustrated. “Samir can do better than this year. He is a top player but he has not been playing at his level,” he said. He was right. Mancini saw a talented player being wasted and it annoyed him.

(Image: Getty Images)

For Nasri to turn around what was a desperate situation so convincingly is credit to his professionalism and determination. The confidence and verve are back. He feels he can beat players, he’s scoring goals and he’s providing chances for those around him. In the absence of David Silva, it’s fair to say Nasri has been City’s most creative midfield player.



Then there’s Dzeko. An infuriating striker whose troubles of last season still haunt him now. His touch very often lets him down, his attitude veers from uninterested to appalling and the system City play doesn’t really suit him. In the recent match against Viktoria Plzen, where Dzeko was given an opportunity to impress, he seemed moody and lethargic, barely celebrating when he scored a late goal.



The arrival of Alvaro Negredo has further highlighted Dzeko’s deficiencies. Twelve goals in 20 appearances tells only half the story of The Beast’s season. Power, pace, vision, a deft touch, a great footballing brain and the ability to bully defenders for 90 minutes are the hallmarks of his game. City fans already struggling to see what Dzeko offers have had an example of a top striker placed in front of them and now see Dzeko’s failings all the more acutely.



Dzeko will always score goals, but those goals often mask an otherwise insipid performance. A move away to a club whose style is better suited to the Bosnian would seem in the best of interest of the player and the club. Nasri, on the other hand, looks set to play a vital role in City’s title challenge.

Follow Rob on Twitter at @_robpollard