At the end of the season I suggested three key positions City need to target to build a stronger squad for next season. For me it is important to address the lack of creativity coming from central midfield, to at least provide cover for the injury prone Bridge at left back, and to offer Adebayor better competiton upfront than the perennially absent Roque Santa Cruz.
A lot of the world's best players have been in action over the past week and it will be interesting to see if any of them could fill these 'problem' positions at City.
By far and away the outstanding player of the first round of matches, Mesut Ozil encapsulates why City wanted to conclude their transfer dealings before the World Cup. At the heart of Germany's demolition of an Austrailia side who admittedly only look a pale shadow of the team who were controversially knocked out by the eventual champions four years ago, Ozil's quick and clever passing from the centre of midfield would help fill the void left by Ireland's change of form. Already a rumoured target, Ozil's list of convinced suitors will have grown following his stage-stealing performance against Austrailia.
The left-back solution is more problematic. The fantasy solution would be Ozil's teammate Philipp Lahm - one of the world's best right-backs but almost equally as comfortable on the left (where he would have played for Germany had City-new-boy Jerome Boateng been preferred to Badstuber). He would obviously usurp Bridge but other candidates aren't so forthcoming.
Left back seems to a problem position for a lot of nations at the World Cup: Michel Bastos (primarily a left-winger), Criscito (used as a left-midfielder at Genoa), Heinze (solid, but used as a centre-back for Marseilles), Capedevila (probably Spain's weakest position) - the list goes on. Two of the best at the competition, Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra (although not on his World Cup showings!) would be unlikely acquisitions. So, an eventual purchase may have to be as competition to Bridge at the very least. Some names have impressed so far - PSV's Salcido has looked both solid and adventurous for Mexico, Kolarov had a much improved game against Germany, and Belhadj (linked with Barcelona and Lazio in the recent past) is an available player with Premier League experience. Kolarov is perhaps the only player with the potential to take Bridge's place, but the other two would at least offer reliable cover.
What with the outcry about the Jabulani and the stifling presence of defensive tactics, goals and strikers have suffered. Gonzalo Higuain, a man repeatedly linked with City, notched up a hat-trick after a below par performance against Nigeria, but his show of quality may turn out to be a case of what-might-have-been after circumstances appear to have changed at his club since Mourinho's arrival.
Another young striker to impress, and another amongst the many names from Italy to have been linked to us, is Udinese's Alexis Sanchez. Man of the match in Chile's display of flair against Honduras, Sanchez's mix of trickery and directness may overcome his small physical stature to suit the Premier League.
Although, in the game featuring my favourite striker so far (the crying North Korean Jong Tae-Se - almost definitely not a target for City), a certain Robinho seemed to show the necessary hard work suited to the Premiership...
Of course, one game doesn't make a great player and buys based on the World Cup alone should be approached with extreme caution - but few names are surprises to coaches anymore and you would imagine City will only really be watching with interest to see how existing targets perform.
In other transfer news, whether it is true or not, it is nice to hear that Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso have encouraged David Silva to join the 'growing force' of Manchester City. Further evidence of City's growing stature within the game.
You think Zabs and Micah are suitable right backs for a title push?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I still have a bit of optimism about Micah (perhaps misplaced) - he can be very frustrating and he has certainly lost his way a bit, but he is still young and I think the potential is there. He has the makings of a great player just missing the necessary discipline perhaps and, as a young player, time will tell if this is something he can learn.
ReplyDeleteYou always get commitment from Zabaleta - I think he is probably best in midfield but then he is a handy player to have around.
Then there is Boateng who is likely to play at right-back for us to start with, before challenging for his preferred central position. I don't know too much about him, but he has played at right-back for Germany, so he must be fairly handy there. His reputation is good, so maybe he will start the season at right-back, with an eye on the centre, and we can see if Micah can step up or not.
My chosen three positions aren't by any means exhaustive, and I imagine we will see whole scale reinforcements, but I think those three positions need the most attention.
I presume you don't have faith in Micah and Zabs?!
"As cover, at least, for Wayne Bridge".
ReplyDeleteVery diplomatic.
Every game, I keep a look out for Wayne Bridge's final pass into the box. I have only seen the pass get to a city player ONCE in the whole season, after 2 deflections. His final ball success rate must be less than 1%.
It's unfathomable. Even if he shut his eyes and booted it, it would have maybe a 40% chance of getting to a city player!
As far as the England team goes, John Terry's knob did the country a big favour.
It's funny, I always assumed Bridge would be the philanderer, because he looks like Glen Quagmire out of "Family Guy". Giggedy! Allllright!
With his massive wages, we're going to be stuck with Bridge for the full length of his contract. Nice one, Sparky.
City should employ someone to follow Bridge around and punch him in the same spot on his arm every 3 seconds, and say "going yet?" until he leaves. That's how much I object to him.
I'm happy for all of our other current players to stay, but whenever Bridge is injured, the team "clicks" and plays brilliantly.
Georgi Mikhailovich Schennikov
ReplyDeletehe's our future left back
We should definitely be weary of making signings solely based on world cup performances. After each major tournament, there's always a mad rush to snap up 2-3 or "tournament stars", who then end up failing at their new club. Our one criteria should be whether or not a given player is good enough to win the premiership.
ReplyDelete