Late week round-up: Robinho and the 25

Robinho, the man whose arrival came to symbolise the moment City leaped into the realms of the footballing heavyweights, left the club this week. Whilst many will bemoan his lack of commitment to the club, I still think he brought more good than bad to the football club.

People will be scandalised by how much money went on him, but money is hardly City's problem at the moment, and the statement his arrival made to the footballing world accelerated our rising reputation throughout the game. When a player who has captured football purists' hearts across the world (if only through youtube compilations!) moves to a club who few considered a major player, it heightens the club's presence everywhere. Suddenly Pele wants to talk about City and, in no time at all, the world's best goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon feels it necessary to discuss the merits of City's back four. It wouldn't have happened as quickly without the arrival of the wee Brazilian.

He has been largely absent for the past twelve months of his City career - leading a confused Guardian reporter to say he went from Real Madrid to City to Milan within the space of twelve months - but that one season, for all his inconsistencies, contained moments of such brilliance that it is hard to say he was a complete failure for City. My three favourite goals of his being the volley against West Brom, the right-foot curler against FC Twente in the Uefa Cup, and, best of all, that scooped chip against Arsenal (which luckily I was right behind, before I was evicted from the North Stand to accomodate the Family Stand!). For these alone, his tempestuous stay at City was worth all the no-shows and pandering to other clubs. I wish him all the best at Milan, where he faces another battle (Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Pato) to maintain regular first-team football!

The twenty-five was also announced in the wake of transfer deadline day, with Robinho's departure meaning Roque Santa Cruz had a berth to fill. There were further surprises in the inclusion of Michael Johnson, who aims to be fit for the final month before the squad can be reviewed again, and Shaleum Logan - who played no part in pre-season, was on loan at Tranmere all of last season, and has been taking trials at Championship clubs this summer. Only Kelvin Etuhu and David Gonzalez are unregistered for the Premier League campaign - and you'd imagine Etuhu is destined for another loan spell - although, there are no restrictions on Cup games, if Mancini is feeling charitable to them!

Although competition for places is still very high, City had a successful transfer deadline day in so far as avoiding any 'trapped' unregistered players (with respect to Etuhu and Gonzalez), and the speed of the coming games should mean they will all be called upon at some point this season. With any luck, what has been widely dubbed 'an accident waiting to happen', could now become simple 'healthy competition'. The need for squad rotation has been impressed upon everyone, so those in the twenty-five know what is coming, and know they will have to win their place when the chance arises - which can only be good for the club!