It is perhaps no surprise that City could be in the process of shifting one of their best players. As they chase the inevitably destabilising influence of Mario Ballotelli and the inadequate talents of Landon Donovan the Eastlands faithful may be questioning what narcotics Signor Mancini is indulging in.
Now rumours that advertising companies have been told to leave images of Shay Given and Craig Bellamy out of forthcoming campaigns have fired talk that the Irishman and the Welsh winger are heading for the exit.
Bellamy’s possible outward transfer can at least be rationalised. The former Liverpool player is not backward in coming forward regarding his opinions and his own valuation of his worth. With high profile transfers coming into the City of Manchester Stadium it is understandable that Bellamy could be ruffled if he sees his spot in the side gradually being filled by big name imports.
Given on the other hand is usually a steady customer. The constantly dependable ‘Keeper is without doubt the best signing that City have made since their cash injection and has rewarded his employers with a string of fine displays.
The £7 million paid for Given probably represents the best value for money you are going to get on a ‘Keeper anywhere in the world. The only reason I could envisage for his exit is that City have been swayed by Gigi Buffon’s agent and are planning a big money move.
It would be pointless given the proficiency of their number one already but it would represent the mixture of talent and status symbol that the Manchester clubs owners desire so much.
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I really hope Given is up for sale. It might just help people to understand that he isnt all that great.
I must admit that I’d love to see Donovan at City… Cos he’s awful.
I thought Mancini only dropped the name in order to keep American journo’s happy in a press conference in America, but I’ll be happy if I’m wrong!
If Harry could organise a Craig Bellamy for a nominal fee that would be a shrewd move.
COYS!
would think he could do arsenal a turn
Given to Goons?
Hopefully not zab.
agreed. I enjoy the circus of four bad players being rotated in their goal…
Given is a good keeper. But not as good as our Octopus!
No, he just isn’t good at all. Im not saying ours are excellent, but he isn’t even better than Fabianski.
Without doubt our best signing. I have seen every match he has played for City and I can tell you that whilst he is a decent keeper, in my opinion he is well overrated by the media in this country and is far from our best signing. He quite possibly isn’t even the best keeper at the club! Don’t state opinions as fact please.
Donovan awful? Had a pretty decent World Cup as I recall and wasn’t too bad for Everton last season either. You don’t think too deeply do you Zab? Typical ignorant spud. Oh well….
Bellamy shouldn’t be going anywhere and certainly not to Spurs and certainly not for any fee that could remotely be described as NOMINAL! Given on the other hand can be offloaded for me, James should never have been allowed to leave and he and Hart competing for the number 1 shirt would have been ok. To have Given in the team you need centre backs that are good in the air because Given doesn’t get anywhere near a corner or set piece. Yes as a shot stopper he’s fine, but which do you want first? A stopper or one with a good command of his area?