The last year or so has been a fairly forgettable period for Samir Nasri.
In the summer of 2014 he was left behind as France traveled to the World Cup under Didier Deschamps; the Manchester City man then suffered with indifferent form and featured in only half of his club’s fixtures during the season that followed.
He made little contribution as the two-time Premier League champions surrendered their crown to Chelsea amid a trophy-less campaign.
The primary aim for Manuel Pellegrini’s side next season is to wrestle the title back from the London club, and with the squad looking in need of major refreshment and the club in a position to spend again after meeting UEFA criteria, things might be about to get tougher still for Nasri.
Aside from a much-reported record breaking move for Paul Pogba, City’s main targets appear to be Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
These two exciting young talents occupy very similar areas of the pitch to Nasri and the arrival of one, or both, would put severe pressure on the former Arsenal man to maintain his place in the first team at the Etihad Stadium.
After his form last season, the Frenchman must quickly show City fans, owners and coaching staff alike that he still has the hunger and ability to merit selection.
The former Marseille man made a decent start to his career in Manchester after arriving from Arsenal for a substantial fee back in the summer of 2011. His reasons at the time though, were questioned. Was he motivated by money? It was reported that he had the choice between big spending City and Sir Alex Ferguson’s United… so the questions had some bulk to them.
Regardless, the move was a success initially but his first season in the light blue remains his best – although he did perform reasonably well in 2013/14 as the club claimed their second title. This earned him a new contract but he quickly went off the boil after signing. He needs to show now that he can produce the goods when the carrot isn’t dangling.
The 28-year-old is a player whose attitude and motivation has be regularly questioned throughout his career. As much as he possesses superb natural ability, there has always been an underlying current of a lack of dedication or a disruptive streak.
Deschamps was open about the fact that it was Nasri’s personality that saw him miss out on joining Les Bleus in Brazil.
The interesting thing is how the playmaker handled the criticism and rejection. In 2010 he also failed to make the cut for the national side heading to the South African World Cup, but he applied himself and the following 2010/2011 season was his best in Arsenal red. It was this form that earned him recognition and ultimately his bumper transfer to the Etihad.
Last summer, though, the response was different. The 41-cap man promptly retired from international football aged just 27 and followed this up with a season of mediocrity.
There is no doubting the midfielder’s considerable talent, but as a man who has always had plenty to say for himself, the coming campaign will be the time to do his talking on the pitch.
He was one of many players in the Citizens’ squad that failed to produce the goods during their failed league defence. Nasri’s lack of impact with his current employers has even impacted the transfer rumour mill and there have been a few reports linking him with the exit door.
His contract runs until 2019 so there is still plenty of time for him to show the fans in Manchester that he has the will to hit his best form year after year.