Category: Opinion

Let this sink in: Manchester City have scored 106 goals through 35 games this season.

106 goals through 35 games in all competitions--that's good for an average of three per match, and, indeed, the Citizens are the quickest-ever Premier League club to hit the century mark. Behind the forward trio of Sergio Aguero (22 goals), Alvaro Negredo (23), and Edin Dzeko (16), Manuel Pellegrini's side have torn opposing defenses apart with a penchant for big wins like September's 4-1 rout of Manchester United and November's 6-0 hammering of Tottenham.

Even with a deep front line, much of City's offense comes from the squad's powerful midfield. Yaya Toure has cemented his status as one of the league's best with 14 goals and five assists on the campaign while David Silva and newcomer Jesus Navas have combined for ten strikes and 18 assists thus far.

With Juan Mata's frustration at Chelsea plain for all to see, the Spain international could be on the move before the January transfer window slams shut. Right now, Manchester United seem the likeliest candidate to land the midfielder, but there are plenty of questions surrounding not just his price tag but his potential place in David Moyes' system.

Gary Neville has been one of several pundits to suggest that, with Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie fully fit, Mata might be squeezed out of his preferred forward role. Moyes has also relied on wide midfielders thus far, and forcing the Spaniard to the wings may not be an ideal scenario.

After 22 seasons on the pitch, the ageless Clarence Seedorf is finally moving to the dugout.

For many, it seemed like the seasoned veteran would continue patrolling the midfield until the Earth stood still, but his recent championship-winning season with Brazilian club Botafogo will serve as his final campaign.

Still, it's fitting that the former Netherlands international went out with yet another trophy. As the first player to win the Champions League four times with three different sides, Seedorf boasts multiple league and cup titles from stints with Ajax, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, the team he will soon lead from the sideline.

With Cristiano Ronaldo collecting his second Ballon d'Or after edging out Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery--the final point tallies were 1,365, 1,205, and 1,127, respectively--attention immediately shifted to the voters themselves. FIFA quickly released a list of the national team captains, coaches, and media along with their ballots, and some of the picks were somewhat surprising.

Outside of the usual suspects, players like Robert Lewandoski, Thomas Mueller, and Thiago Silva garnered first-place votes from several less-prominent national team captains. Still, even some of the world's top talent went the alternative route as Robin Van Persie selected Arjen Robben while Gianluigi Buffon chose Andrea Pirlo.