Reuters Soccer Blog

If Edin Dzeko can adapt seamlessly to the Premier League’s high-tempo game, the blue half of Manchester may at long last get the trophy they have craved since 1968, when City won their last top-flight title.

With Carlos Tevez having a punishing workload up front for Roberto Mancini’s side as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 formation, Dzeko appears to be just what City need to start firing on all cylinders.

Dubbed as the “Bosnian diamond” by media in the Balkan country for his lethal finishing, excellent close control and the ability to hold and head the ball, the striker impressed in each of his three and a half seasons at Wolfsburg, where he won the Bundesliga title in 2009.

His record of 85 goals in 138 appearances for the German side in all competitions and 17 in 31 caps for Bosnia suggests that he will be a handful for any defence in the Premier League and a perfect strike partner for Tevez.

Should he hit the ground running straight away, Dzeko could easily force Mancini to adopt a more adventurous 4-4-2 formation in search of the extra goals which Manchester City need if they are to cross the finish line first.

Although their defending has been shaky at times, it has been the lack of firepower that has often let down the new-look City against top teams.

They failed to score in two league outings against Arsenal this season after they were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham on the opening day.

Last term, 1-0 home defeats by arch rivals Manchester United and then Tottenham late on in the season cost them a top-four finish and a Champions League qualifying berth.

With the Premier League thriving in one of the closest title races in years, Dzeko could swing the balance in City’s favour and break the stranglehold that United, Chelsea and Arsenal have had on the Premier League trophy in the last decade and a half.