At the conclusion of last years season Manchester City were crowned English Premier League champions on the last day of the season, pipping the title from Manchester United in the most dramatic of endings. It was thought to be a dawn of a new era.

Ten months on with the season winding down, the odds of Manchester City retaining their EPL title almost certainly looks to be over. With Manchester United sitting in 1st place with a 15 point lead, with less than 10 games to go, the gap appears to be insurmountable.

With that in mind, a clear-out at Manchester City looks imminent. The rumour mill is in full swing with talk of player unrest and transfers both in and out, and with the comments of manager Roberto Mancini, who knows where the axe may fall.

Manchester City celebrating their EPL championship title

After City’s recent lost to Everton, which all but sealed it for United, Mancini branded his players “gutless” as his temper boiled over in the dressing room following The defeat.

Yaya Toure, City’s dominant midfielder is unsettled at City as he feels that he wants his contract to be re-negotiated. Toure, already the highest paid player in the English Premier League, wants an increase.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are the leading contenders to sign the City midfielder, after the 29-year-old told the Premier League champions he would buy out his contract and leave this summer if a new deal was not agreed by Saturday. Manchester City remain relaxed about Yaya Toure’s situation and do not expect to have to meet his agent’s deadline to keep the Ivory Coast international.

In more City transfer gossip, striker Sergio Aguero is Real Madrid’s top summer target and the Spanish side will make a £45m bid for the 24-year-old Argentine. While his fellow Argentine strike partner, Carlos Tevez, 29, could be offered the chance to join former club Boca Juniors in Argentina.

Winger Scott Sinclair is rumored to be on his way out after an underwhelming season. Aston Villa and Everton are monitoring the City player. Sinclair, 23, who has been unable to establish himself at Etihad Stadium following his move from Swansea.

Elsewhere, Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, is coming to terms with the fact that his club are unlikely to retain their EPL crown, comparing Manchester United to a “killing machine” as he described their relentless pursuit of a 20th domestic championship.

Watch this week’s Football Deluxe Talking Point to find out which is the best team in the world, also a round up of the English Premier League and some other football news, or read the transcript.

And through it all, manager Roberto Mancini has received the backing of the City board. Where he has been described as “a champion; I do not add more,” said Soriano.