Manchester City were hopeful of making two game-changing signings after their first Premier League title but ended up experiencing a horrific transfer window.
City pipped rivals Manchester United on goal difference in the dying seconds of the season, with Sergio Aguero scoring a last-gasp winner against QPR.
Roberto Mancini already had a talented squad at his disposal but immediately stressed the need to continue strengthening.
"Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money," he said.
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"I think for Manchester City it will be the same. We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League.”
As relayed by the Manchester Evening News, City identified Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard as their top two targets and hoped for to land the pair for a total of £60 million.
Yet the Blues failed on both occasions. Van Persie, with "the little boy inside him screaming for United, joined the Red Devils from Arsenal for a fee of £24 million and single-handedly delivered United's 20th league title.
Hazard was at Lille at the time and had offers from just about every major European club.
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But he ultimately opted for Chelsea, who had just won the Champions League against Bayern Munich on penalties.
Hazard signed for a fee of £32 million and City were left behind. The Blues also wanted to sign Daniele De Rossi from Roma but ended up with one of the worst collection of signings for a title-winning side.
They signed Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia, Matija Nastasic and Maicon and unsurprisingly finished in second place, 11 points behind United.
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City also lost the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic and Mancini was sacked before the end of the season and replaced by Manuel Pellegrini.
Topics: Manchester City, Robin Van Persie, Eden Hazard, Roberto Mancini
Josh Lawless