I wouldn't say glaring weaknesses, after all this is a squad which regularly finishes in the top 2, and most observers thought last season we had under-performed quite significantly. I certainly did.
Ideally you look at the squad and assess its strengths and weaknesses, and look to improve in the transfer market, but there must be all kinds of restrictions and influences such as players wishes (Negredo last season), financial restrictions, squad rules, player availability, creating space for the development of your academy players, and dealing with the heavyweights like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
In reality planning is probably done years ahead. City must know the contractual situation of all the top players, and know where we want to go, but how many of those players are available. There is a big gap now between the Premiership's top clubs and the top clubs in Europe because of the big financial gap in overseas leagues and City have to try and bridge the gap. The best way is to buy players with outstanding star quality like Sterling (I think he needs to improve but his raw talent is obvious). There are so few of these players available that you have to hope that the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona don't swoop or it destroys the best laid plans. I think when there are obvious talents available like De Bruyne you have to go for them even if it does not quite match the profile of your own squad.
I think City are one of the best managed clubs in the game although at times we could do with having our owner on hand to make the biggest decisions. The Abramovic model has its pros and cons, but it seemed to me that there was genuine uncertainty at the club last season which transferred to the players and fan. Certainly the fans.
The squad eligibility rules are particularly complicated. I haven't looked at them properly, but I think they are shaping the timing of our transfer activity. I hope so anyway as I want to believe the squad will get stronger.
Whatever your misgivings about City's management compare City with our rivals like Arsenal. Their Directors say they have £200m in the bank. They are in a fantastic position with a very stable squad which only needs one or two players, but what do they do? Nothing. That must be very frustrating. Consider also Utd. So much rubbish is written about £100m bids for Bale, you don't know what is true, but their activity with De Gea and Di Maria seems very strange. Only experienced striker at a club who have a European campaign. I am not sure that those running football clubs are as competent we think.