Back in April, when the rumours about James Milner started getting serious, it was suggested that the two key factors in a possible move to CoMS would be City getting Champions' League football and Martin O'Neill leaving Villa Park. A few months along the line, and with neither of the factors fulfilled, these suppositions have proved irrelevant.
As we have already discovered, we all got too carried away in the drive for Champions' League football last season - at the very least, people were disappointed we wouldn't be able to attract players who would improve the squad. Besides the money, I feel the 'project' is still very attractive to players - and the whispers about City challenging right at the top of the league this season don't seem to be restricted to only the most hysterical City fans - so there is no reason why the "Young" (24) Player of the Year of the last campaign won't be able to see beyond the lack of Champions' League football. To quote Mancini from my seasoncard that arrived this morning, "There is a place in history waiting for every one of us," and young players must be attracted to building this future.
There are also reports today of Milner's anger at Martin O'Neill's comments. Thus breaking down their own special relationship that was said to be an important factor in Milner's thinking. O'Neill has encouraged a conclusion to a sale, which would give him enough time to re-strengthen Villa for the new season, and it is thought that Milner will not join his teammates on Monday morning for the beginning of his pre-season training.
The only remaining sticking point then is the price. According to reports City are willing to offer no more than £24m - some £6m short of Villa's valuation. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as O'Neill has history of keeping hold of players if teams do not respect their valuation - Gareth Barry was kept at Villa after Liverpool didn't stir up the right deal the summer before his City move. I think £30m would be far too much, given that the excess would fund one of our competitors - and City have already intimated that we will not be held to ransom just because of the funds at our disposal.
Just like when we played Villa at the end of the season, the press have looked to sensationalise Richard Dunne's comments about the affair. Following on from the early May headlines of 'It's City's to lose' or 'The Pressure is on them', we get 'Dunne tells Milner not to sign for City.' Which, of course, is far from what he said. I imagine it is no doubt tempting to cast Dunne in the bitter victim role, but since he has left City, he has said nothing that I feel is unmerited.
"James will know that because he's joining a big club, a club that wants to win the league, that he'll be part of a squad.
"At Aston Villa he will play every week and at Manchester City he may not, but it's an opportunity he probably thinks to go and win the league."
These were his quotes as reported on SkySports earlier. Hardly unfair or biased comments, and it introduces the great debate at the moment, which is: where will anyone play?! A Villa supporting friend of mine is adamant Milner should be played in the middle but, the way we play, the Yaya/Barry/deJong/Vieira role is too deep for him and the Tevez role is not for budging (in my opinion). Therefore he will compete for the right sided slot with Johnson and possibly Mario Balotelli. There is certainly room for him, but Dunne is right to suggest the position may not always be his, and I feel this could be the case for a lot of our top players this coming season - de Jong for example. With all the games and with the aspirations that we have, it is important to have this strength in depth, but it will need good management to prevent some losing faith - Nedum and Ireland could be last season's casualties, for example.
According to Capello, Milner is the future of English football and, if he does sign, City could possess both of England's international wingers for the next World Cup (should England qualify of course!), and it is important to have a core of English players. The only concern is whether they will both get enough game time.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Mario Balotelli and the new Manchester City - Corriere dello Sport
I have been fortunate enough to have been on holiday in Italy for the past week or so and, whilst that means this blog has suffered, it no longer means I am out of contact with what City are up to.
In not too distant times a lot of the European press would refer to our near neighbours (I am not talking about Stockport) as 'Manchester', so to find pages upon pages of coverage talking about us on first name terms, 'City', is yet another indicator of how the status of the club is changing across the world. To use Friday as an example, both the Corriere dello Sport and the Gazzetta dello Sport led with City on the front page and double page coverage on the inside pages. Obviously the subject matter had a part to play here.
Mario Balotelli is a phenomenon in Italy, for reasons both good and bad. Tipped by many on his break-through to be the great future star of Italian football, a turbulent relationship with Mourinho and subsequently the Inter fans (not improved by his wearing of an AC Milan shirt on television, his boyhood club) has ended in the previously inconceivable situation where Inter would be willing to listen to offers for him. Massimo Moratti was quoted in La Repubblica as saying 'I don't like it, but I will think about it.'
In the Corriere's poll, 51% answered 'no' to 'is it right that Balotelli has been put on the market?' About as even as it gets. The argument is one of talent versus attitude. He is only twenty next month and the potential, if not current ability, is greatly impressive, but he will have to be well managed not to self-destruct. As the lady who sold the paper said: 'his attitude is bad on and off the pitch, it will be good for him to leave Italy' and reunite with Mancini (who she adores!). This is the hope, and I believe there is definitely something in it: that a loved Balotelli and a happy Balotelli could well become one of the stars of the European game - and under his 'father figure', Mancini, the talent could be nurtured into just that.
Saturday's paper was so convinced of this deal happening that it ran with 'Balotelli to play against Inter on 31st July', in allusion to our upcoming friendly with his current club. According to their reports only the particulars of the deal need to be agreed, and on their speculation this could yet take some time: €25m? €30m? €34m? a fee plus Micah Richards? a deal with Robinho? an agreement to leave Maicon alone? an agreement to let them purchase Dzeko as a replacement? I think it is fair to say that there is still a good deal of speculation to be had before a deal is, or isn't, done. They had Monday as the day that a decisive offer would be laid down, so we shall have to wait and see whether that was the case or not.
They also report the Kolarov deal, as has been widely reported here as well, as done - although the Lazio manager said he has gone, the Lazio president is apparently holding out for another million.
Included in Friday's double page focus on Balotelli and Manchester City was a possible starting eleven graphic for 'Il nuovo Manchester City':
Hart
Boateng, Luiz, K. Toure, Kolarov
Y. Toure, Barry
Balotelli, Tevez, Silva
Dzeko
A quite formidable line-up. With Mancini, Lombardo, Salsano, Carminati and Battara on the coaching staff, it is perhaps not that great a surprise we are getting the same treatment as an Italian club in their papers, especially considering the Balotelli interest, but it does prove that the waves we are making in the Premier League are hitting other shores.
In not too distant times a lot of the European press would refer to our near neighbours (I am not talking about Stockport) as 'Manchester', so to find pages upon pages of coverage talking about us on first name terms, 'City', is yet another indicator of how the status of the club is changing across the world. To use Friday as an example, both the Corriere dello Sport and the Gazzetta dello Sport led with City on the front page and double page coverage on the inside pages. Obviously the subject matter had a part to play here.
Mario Balotelli is a phenomenon in Italy, for reasons both good and bad. Tipped by many on his break-through to be the great future star of Italian football, a turbulent relationship with Mourinho and subsequently the Inter fans (not improved by his wearing of an AC Milan shirt on television, his boyhood club) has ended in the previously inconceivable situation where Inter would be willing to listen to offers for him. Massimo Moratti was quoted in La Repubblica as saying 'I don't like it, but I will think about it.'
In the Corriere's poll, 51% answered 'no' to 'is it right that Balotelli has been put on the market?' About as even as it gets. The argument is one of talent versus attitude. He is only twenty next month and the potential, if not current ability, is greatly impressive, but he will have to be well managed not to self-destruct. As the lady who sold the paper said: 'his attitude is bad on and off the pitch, it will be good for him to leave Italy' and reunite with Mancini (who she adores!). This is the hope, and I believe there is definitely something in it: that a loved Balotelli and a happy Balotelli could well become one of the stars of the European game - and under his 'father figure', Mancini, the talent could be nurtured into just that.
Saturday's paper was so convinced of this deal happening that it ran with 'Balotelli to play against Inter on 31st July', in allusion to our upcoming friendly with his current club. According to their reports only the particulars of the deal need to be agreed, and on their speculation this could yet take some time: €25m? €30m? €34m? a fee plus Micah Richards? a deal with Robinho? an agreement to leave Maicon alone? an agreement to let them purchase Dzeko as a replacement? I think it is fair to say that there is still a good deal of speculation to be had before a deal is, or isn't, done. They had Monday as the day that a decisive offer would be laid down, so we shall have to wait and see whether that was the case or not.
They also report the Kolarov deal, as has been widely reported here as well, as done - although the Lazio manager said he has gone, the Lazio president is apparently holding out for another million.
Included in Friday's double page focus on Balotelli and Manchester City was a possible starting eleven graphic for 'Il nuovo Manchester City':
Hart
Boateng, Luiz, K. Toure, Kolarov
Y. Toure, Barry
Balotelli, Tevez, Silva
Dzeko
A quite formidable line-up. With Mancini, Lombardo, Salsano, Carminati and Battara on the coaching staff, it is perhaps not that great a surprise we are getting the same treatment as an Italian club in their papers, especially considering the Balotelli interest, but it does prove that the waves we are making in the Premier League are hitting other shores.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Transfer rumour round-up: Balotelli, Dzeko, Bellamy
After some pretty impressive midfield reinforcements, the press have turned their attention to City's striking options - with Roberto Mancini only too happy to answer the questions of the Italian journalists of Il Giornale.
Both Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko have been linked to City with various intensities over the last couple of months and it does not come as a surprise that our interest in them has been confirmed. Mancini's comment last month about Krasic and Dzeko when he said 'we are interested in one of them', was almost certainly Dzeko - and at the beginning of June, The Daily Mail believed a deal was almost done before and after Dzeko's minimum fee release clause expired. So Mancini's comment that "certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest," at least shows that City retain a sustained interest in the Bosnian striker, despite Wolfsburg slapping an off-putting £50m price tag on him.
Balotelli has managed to shake off his agent for a moment or two to tell the press that he 'admires' his 'friend' Mancini, before reaffirming that his agent makes his decisions. As I have written when we were first linked with him, Balotelli certainly seems a troubled character at Inter, so a reunion with his 'father figure' in the game, who gave him his Serie A debut at seventeen, may well be a solution that could suit both the player and City. If we can get a content Balotelli, then we would be getting one of the brightest young talents in European football and, at nineteen, he will still feel he has a lot to prove to the world. Mancini's comments that "if Inter decide to sell, we will be there," are almost inviting contact with Massimo Moratti.
On top of these two, Torres, Ibrahimovic and even Didier Drogba have all been mentioned in the last few days but, as has been suggested earlier in the summer, this could represent a list of possible targets and City can afford to be quite fluid in who they go for. Although, one thing it does point towards is that we shouldn't expect Crocky to be our second choice centre-forward next season.
Alongside Santa Cruz, another widely tipped casualty of the reinforcements would be Craig Bellamy. Despite comments from Craig saying that he wouldn't move to another Premier League club, many of the papers are suggesting he is close to a £6m move to Tottenham - completing a deal we were accused to have bullied them out of when he moved to City. Bellamy's role on the wide-left has come into direct competition with David Silva in the last couple of weeks and this may have led him to reappraise his situation. Bellamy has always said he is chasing his final shot at glory - with worries that his knees won't carry him through - and this new doubt about whether his is a key role in the team may have left him wondering if any glory would truly be his. Although, as he has previously knocked Robinho out of the team, you never know...
Both Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko have been linked to City with various intensities over the last couple of months and it does not come as a surprise that our interest in them has been confirmed. Mancini's comment last month about Krasic and Dzeko when he said 'we are interested in one of them', was almost certainly Dzeko - and at the beginning of June, The Daily Mail believed a deal was almost done before and after Dzeko's minimum fee release clause expired. So Mancini's comment that "certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest," at least shows that City retain a sustained interest in the Bosnian striker, despite Wolfsburg slapping an off-putting £50m price tag on him.
Balotelli has managed to shake off his agent for a moment or two to tell the press that he 'admires' his 'friend' Mancini, before reaffirming that his agent makes his decisions. As I have written when we were first linked with him, Balotelli certainly seems a troubled character at Inter, so a reunion with his 'father figure' in the game, who gave him his Serie A debut at seventeen, may well be a solution that could suit both the player and City. If we can get a content Balotelli, then we would be getting one of the brightest young talents in European football and, at nineteen, he will still feel he has a lot to prove to the world. Mancini's comments that "if Inter decide to sell, we will be there," are almost inviting contact with Massimo Moratti.
On top of these two, Torres, Ibrahimovic and even Didier Drogba have all been mentioned in the last few days but, as has been suggested earlier in the summer, this could represent a list of possible targets and City can afford to be quite fluid in who they go for. Although, one thing it does point towards is that we shouldn't expect Crocky to be our second choice centre-forward next season.
Alongside Santa Cruz, another widely tipped casualty of the reinforcements would be Craig Bellamy. Despite comments from Craig saying that he wouldn't move to another Premier League club, many of the papers are suggesting he is close to a £6m move to Tottenham - completing a deal we were accused to have bullied them out of when he moved to City. Bellamy's role on the wide-left has come into direct competition with David Silva in the last couple of weeks and this may have led him to reappraise his situation. Bellamy has always said he is chasing his final shot at glory - with worries that his knees won't carry him through - and this new doubt about whether his is a key role in the team may have left him wondering if any glory would truly be his. Although, as he has previously knocked Robinho out of the team, you never know...
Friday, 2 July 2010
Yaya Toure signs; Video: More than a defensive midfielder
The highly anticipated signing of Yaya Toure is now complete and it signals another huge step forward. Recent rumours had suggested Guardiola was keen to retain him but City have now been able to confirm a transfer that has been on the cards for a few weeks now.
Yaya Toure could be an integral part of our 'midfield overhaul' - a tough tackling, ball playing, box-to-box midfielder seen by many as the true heir to the young Patrick Vieira. For vast parts of last season our play seemed to stagnate in the centre of the field, Yaya will be able to turn defence into attack in a way that we don't have at the moment.
Reading comments from Barcelona fans over the past month, they are aggrieved that Yaya had too few opportunities and felt that the club's desire to field a strong contingent of Spanish players was the only reason Busquets was regularly preferred to him.
The signing is not only another huge statement by the club, but it addresses one of our problem areas - we have some great players in the defensive midfield position but not much variety. Coming soon after the Silva signing, the strength of City's first eleven on paper rivals most teams now and the excitement for the new season continues to grow.
Brother of the club captain Kolo, Yaya will be hoping his brother will retain his place in the centre of defence - and perhaps they can offer a strong understanding playing infront of one another.
On top of his pass for Drogba's goal against Brazil and his well taken goal against North Korea in this summer's World Cup, here are two examples of the rounded game he offers:
Yaya Toure could be an integral part of our 'midfield overhaul' - a tough tackling, ball playing, box-to-box midfielder seen by many as the true heir to the young Patrick Vieira. For vast parts of last season our play seemed to stagnate in the centre of the field, Yaya will be able to turn defence into attack in a way that we don't have at the moment.
Reading comments from Barcelona fans over the past month, they are aggrieved that Yaya had too few opportunities and felt that the club's desire to field a strong contingent of Spanish players was the only reason Busquets was regularly preferred to him.
The signing is not only another huge statement by the club, but it addresses one of our problem areas - we have some great players in the defensive midfield position but not much variety. Coming soon after the Silva signing, the strength of City's first eleven on paper rivals most teams now and the excitement for the new season continues to grow.
Brother of the club captain Kolo, Yaya will be hoping his brother will retain his place in the centre of defence - and perhaps they can offer a strong understanding playing infront of one another.
On top of his pass for Drogba's goal against Brazil and his well taken goal against North Korea in this summer's World Cup, here are two examples of the rounded game he offers:
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
David Silva signs for City - Midfield overhaul kicks-off in style
Today City have announced the signing of David Silva from Valencia in a move that addresses our need for the kind of player who can unlock the most stubborn of Premier League defences.
The nature of the transfer rumour mill has kept me sceptical about the closeness of this deal - especially with the whispers that Chelsea were set to enter the race - so I am delighted (as is Silva!) now that the deal is complete.
I wrote at the weekend how this signing would basically eliminate all the fears about what damage failing to qualify for the Champions' League would do to our ability to attract the players capable of taking the club forward. Roberto Mancini intimated the same today:
"In signing David, we are showing the world that we are bringing the best players here and that we hope to compete to win the Premier League. When players see what is happening at City and the ambition they are attracted to what we are building and want to be a part of it."
Largely through Hughes' sacking and how the media perceived it, everybody became fixated on the Champions' League at City and this clouded the fact that obvious progress was being made at the club. City are a team on the up and players are noticing it. The rumours that Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso encouraged Silva to make the move are just one example of this.
The idea of 'writing history' with a club, as Mancini suggested Robinho could do when he arrived, has its appeals, and Silva is of an age where he will be entering the peak of his career during the years City hope to be enjoying the heights of new success.
"They are a club with a great future with fantastic players. I want to be an important player in City's history," Silva said today.
Looking ahead to 14th August, we already have a huge improvement on the team that faced Tottenham in the final game at Eastlands last season. One of our main problems in that game was a lack of creativity from midfield - we had no answers to Tottenham's towering defensive display. The signing of Silva gives us that cutting edge and his arrival should mean we won't be as reliant on the counter attack next season. The thought of him attacking upfront alongside Tevez, Johnson, Adebayor, etc, is likely to frighten most defences in the league.
Maybe he could dislodge the faltering Torres for Spain and we can see some more of him in the coming weeks. If not, he is just another reason I cannot wait for the new season!
The nature of the transfer rumour mill has kept me sceptical about the closeness of this deal - especially with the whispers that Chelsea were set to enter the race - so I am delighted (as is Silva!) now that the deal is complete.
I wrote at the weekend how this signing would basically eliminate all the fears about what damage failing to qualify for the Champions' League would do to our ability to attract the players capable of taking the club forward. Roberto Mancini intimated the same today:
"In signing David, we are showing the world that we are bringing the best players here and that we hope to compete to win the Premier League. When players see what is happening at City and the ambition they are attracted to what we are building and want to be a part of it."
Largely through Hughes' sacking and how the media perceived it, everybody became fixated on the Champions' League at City and this clouded the fact that obvious progress was being made at the club. City are a team on the up and players are noticing it. The rumours that Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso encouraged Silva to make the move are just one example of this.
The idea of 'writing history' with a club, as Mancini suggested Robinho could do when he arrived, has its appeals, and Silva is of an age where he will be entering the peak of his career during the years City hope to be enjoying the heights of new success.
"They are a club with a great future with fantastic players. I want to be an important player in City's history," Silva said today.
Looking ahead to 14th August, we already have a huge improvement on the team that faced Tottenham in the final game at Eastlands last season. One of our main problems in that game was a lack of creativity from midfield - we had no answers to Tottenham's towering defensive display. The signing of Silva gives us that cutting edge and his arrival should mean we won't be as reliant on the counter attack next season. The thought of him attacking upfront alongside Tevez, Johnson, Adebayor, etc, is likely to frighten most defences in the league.
Maybe he could dislodge the faltering Torres for Spain and we can see some more of him in the coming weeks. If not, he is just another reason I cannot wait for the new season!
Saturday, 26 June 2010
David Silva edges closer; Yaya out of the tournament; Boateng plays at left-back; SWP's wage demands
Round-up
In the last few days, many of the Spanish papers have been reporting that David Silva is close to agreeing a move to City. Whilst constant rumour mongering has left me almost numb to each new name that pops up - Silva, especially as it is built on truth, is one that is genuinely exciting.
One of the main worries about City not qualifying for the Champions' League was that we would not be able to acquire the type of player that would be able to take us forward again. The confirmed bids we have been involved in - Silva, Yaya Toure and James Milner - seem to quash these fears. Champions' League may still be a sticking point in the deals but the belief of City's growing stature in the game is strong enough still to be attractive to some of the world's most highly-rated players.
If City manage to sign him, at 24, Silva would be a player coming into the peak of his career whilst under contract at City.
Another City target, Yaya Toure, scored in Ivory Coast's win over North Korea yesterday. The goal itself is an example of how much more than just a defensive midfielder Yaya is and with Ivory Coast now out of the World Cup, City's negotiations should now be free to continue.
Jerome Boateng made his first World Cup appearance against Ghana on Wednesday at left-back - replacing a Badstuber who was completely over-run by another alleged City target, Milos Krasic, against Serbia. The MEN decided to report on his weaknesses in this position, but I was quite impressed with him: tall, quick, comfortable on the ball - he looks suited to the Premiership. Only a calf injury prevented him from continuing his display in that match.
Whilst I do not want to see him employed at left-back permanently for City, the left-back slot is a problem for us and, if he can fill in, his versatility may be another impressive feature to his game.
Reports are resurfacing today about Shaun Wright-Phillip's wage demands - allegedly £100,000 per week. With the rumoured influx of players in his position, this could either be a test to the board about how much they value him (and therefore a gauge of whether he has a future at City or not) or it is just a ludicrous amount for someone who will probably be demoted to the role of bit-part player next season. With the volume of matches next campaign, every squad player will play his part, but I can't imagine that is what SWP moved back to City for. On the flip side of this, I can't think of any club that would match his alleged wage demands.
In the last few days, many of the Spanish papers have been reporting that David Silva is close to agreeing a move to City. Whilst constant rumour mongering has left me almost numb to each new name that pops up - Silva, especially as it is built on truth, is one that is genuinely exciting.
One of the main worries about City not qualifying for the Champions' League was that we would not be able to acquire the type of player that would be able to take us forward again. The confirmed bids we have been involved in - Silva, Yaya Toure and James Milner - seem to quash these fears. Champions' League may still be a sticking point in the deals but the belief of City's growing stature in the game is strong enough still to be attractive to some of the world's most highly-rated players.
If City manage to sign him, at 24, Silva would be a player coming into the peak of his career whilst under contract at City.
Another City target, Yaya Toure, scored in Ivory Coast's win over North Korea yesterday. The goal itself is an example of how much more than just a defensive midfielder Yaya is and with Ivory Coast now out of the World Cup, City's negotiations should now be free to continue.
Jerome Boateng made his first World Cup appearance against Ghana on Wednesday at left-back - replacing a Badstuber who was completely over-run by another alleged City target, Milos Krasic, against Serbia. The MEN decided to report on his weaknesses in this position, but I was quite impressed with him: tall, quick, comfortable on the ball - he looks suited to the Premiership. Only a calf injury prevented him from continuing his display in that match.
Whilst I do not want to see him employed at left-back permanently for City, the left-back slot is a problem for us and, if he can fill in, his versatility may be another impressive feature to his game.
Reports are resurfacing today about Shaun Wright-Phillip's wage demands - allegedly £100,000 per week. With the rumoured influx of players in his position, this could either be a test to the board about how much they value him (and therefore a gauge of whether he has a future at City or not) or it is just a ludicrous amount for someone who will probably be demoted to the role of bit-part player next season. With the volume of matches next campaign, every squad player will play his part, but I can't imagine that is what SWP moved back to City for. On the flip side of this, I can't think of any club that would match his alleged wage demands.
Saturday, 19 June 2010
World Cup Scouting: Ozil, Kolarov, Lahm, Salcido, Belhadj, Higuain, Sanchez, Robinho
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.
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.
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