Having learned lessons in 2008/09, Manchester City will aim to take the next step towards big-time status this season. Mark Hughes' side have already signed Gareth Barry, but the world's richest club continues to be linked with a host of star names and we look at the potential new arrivals at Eastlands.
What's happened so far
In comparison with many Premier League clubs, quite a lot. While other teams appear to be taking their time and waiting for the beginning of pre-season in July, City are intent not to repeat mistakes of the past.
The richest club on the planet - funded by the reported £560billion wealth, earned from ownership of the largest oil reserve in the world, of Sheikh Mansour's family - was the talking point of the winter transfer window as a world-record pursuit of Brazil international Kaka ended in a drawn-out failure.
City have learnt their lesson and are not messing around. Business is being conducted at speed to avoid a repeat of the embarrassing transfer brouhaha of six months ago.
Blink and you missed the £12million arrival of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa as the England star abandoned his desire for immediate UEFA Champions League football, or even European participation, to become the latest player attracted by potential at Eastlands.
Star midfielder Stephen Ireland has signed a new long-term contract, announcing that he does not see any reason to ever leave City, to provide reason for cheer.
In between praising the club's hierarchy, and receiving reassurances about his job in exchange, manager Mark Hughes has continued to state the need to conduct business in a hurry, which suggests further arrivals will not be far away.
Hughes interviews can at times sound like repeats as the Welshman, clearly well drilled from the club's media department, persistently pedals the cards-close-to-chest party line of quick negotiations and a catchphrase interest in quality additions, however, that, on the surface at least, demonstrates a combined focus throughout the club which will help in transfer activity.
If conjecture is correct, City have a £150million summer transfer kitty at their disposal. It is unlikely all of that cash will be spent - there is a credit crunch you know - but there have been no shortage of possible purchases.
There has been no secret made of hopes of an audacious move to bring in Carlos Tevez after his loan spell at rivals Manchester United, while Hughes is desperate to capture former Blackburn colleague Roque Santa Cruz in the wake of a failed attempt in January. Everton's Joleon Lescott could be the target of a swap deal involving Micah Richards.
Barcelona trio Samuel Eto'o, Yaya Toure and Thierry Henry have all been linked, while any other player who would demand a transfer fee of around £20m - step forward David Villa, Sergio Aguero, Franck Ribery and Edin Dzeko - have also been connected with City.
Hughes, though, will have to clear out a lot of deadwood from his oversized squad. Elano, Valeri Bojinov, Gelson Fernandes, Benjani, Felipe Caicedo, Dietmar Hamann, Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Mills and Darius Vassell are among a host of players who could leave.
Daniel Sturridge, a rumoured Chelsea target, Ched Evans, Tal Ben-Haim, Jo, Clayton McDonald, Paul Marshall and Richard Martin may also start the new season elsewhere.
There has been speculation over the future of British-record signing Robinho who, having only arrived from Real Madrid last September, has, ominously for City as it is players who hold the power no matter what clubs would like to think, admitted the Camp Nou is an attractive destination.
What they need
City's midfield is well stocked, with the likes of Barry, Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany, Martin Petrov, Shaun Wright-Phillips and, if he regains full fitness, Michael Johnson offering formidable combinations.
Hughes has an established goalkeeper in winter signing Shay Given and plenty of choice for backup, so that area should also be fine.
The defence is in good shape, although an option at right-back or centre-half, which is where Lescott comes into the equation, would be welcomed.
Attack is the area that requires improvement. City struggled horribly on their travels in 2008/09 and a player who provides a persistent goal threat would offer a step towards a cure.
Santa Cruz, or rumours of John Carew, would be the target man to hold the ball up, so vital when away from home, which would benefit Craig Bellamy or Robinho.
Tevez's class would add a different dimension, while the Argentine's much-heralded work ethic would reap rewards when on the road and help a push towards the top six in the league.
What they'll get
Tevez, Santa Cruz and Lescott seem the most likely arrivals, with fresh reports suggesting the former has decided to snub Manchester United in favour of a £140,000-a-week deal when he returns from a family holiday.
Santa Cruz has made his intentions clear and an existing relationship with Hughes will probably see the Paraguayan arrive at Eastlands.
Lescott could move to Manchester, despite suggesting otherwise, with City's wealth and long-term aspirations outweighing that on offer at Everton, and Richards, who is understood to endure a shaky relationship with Hughes, would head in the other direction.
There will probably be another two new faces on top of the above trio, while a host of squad players are shown the exit.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment