Roberto Mancini must feel like he is playing Championship Manager with Real Madrid in the 00/01 season. As he looks forward to a summer of endless potential, I sit here wondering which players might be on his shopping list. Firstly however, there is the case of Champions League football or Europa League football. We all know the top players want to be in the former of those two competitions. If City make fourth spot, I will be walking to the bookies myself to put a hefty sum on them winning the Premier League next season. Enough with my betting predictions, here is the Mancini wish list in order of position. In my eyes.
Goal keeper – Being a huge admirer of Shay Given, I’d like to say this is a position where no money is required. City already have arguably the best keeper in the Premiership so I say, leave him be!
Defence – Kolo Toure has filled me with as much confidence as my first driving lesson. Wenger sensed his downfall and let him go, City are realising the hard way. They need a centre back and a right back. Nedum Onouha, Micah Richard and Zabaleta have all played there without any real conviction. Who comes in? Well, City have reportedly already signed Jerome Boateng from Hamburg. The defender is the younger brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng and reportedly turned down Bayern Munich for City. Maicon would be a very real possibility. Out of favour with Mourinho and an admirer of his former manager Mancini. Maicon would be a superb addition to City’s squad, and possibly the one transfer I’d go as far as saying IS going to happen this summer. Giorgio Chiellini is a choice for centre back. The Italian is young, fierce and strong. Is bound to be on Mancini’s radar.
Midfield – Cesc Fabregas. Really? He wouldn’t would he? Money talks. I have my reservations about that one but what a signing it would be if they could pull it off. Angel Di Maria is arguably the most popular man in Europe and clubs will be fighting for his signature this summer. The young winger could join another young winger in Adam Johnson and potentially provide City with a fearsome midfield.
Strikers –It would probably be easier for me to tell you who hasn’t been linked with City. Wayne Rooney. Done. Apart from him, there has been suggestions of nearly every player who has ever scored a goal moving to Eastlands this summer. Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo seems a realistic target but could swap places with another Paraguayan striker in the form of Roque Santa Cruz. Ivica Olic and Mirko Vucinic have also been suggested but in my eyes they are no better than Tevez or Adebayor and certainly don’t have age on their side.
The final, and potentially most impressive possibility would be David Villa. The Valencia man seems set to leave this summer as the club are desperate for the money his sale would generate. With many clubs being put off by his transfer fee and wage demands, City could jump in to save the day. Money is not an option and Villa would slot in very nicely to make City a force to be reckoned with.
About the Author
In:Boateng,Cheillini,Villa,Torres,Fabregas.
Out:Richards,Viera,Santa Cruz,Wright-Phillips,Garrido.
Cesc is not a ashley cole. Like a lot of the Arsenal players at the moment, they are highly loyal and truly care for the club. Expect a lot of the 20-24 year old generation of arsenal to stay at the club til 2014.
dream on!!!
Dream on!! City might have the money, but top players still need to want to go there and Villa Fabregas and Torres won’t go just for money.
all they have is money, even real madrid have more history
every player who goes there is a mercenary and given every transfer journalist a wet dream
money does not make, a team. torres will never go to city, why would he thoe it hurts me to say this city are the second team in manchester. they allways have been, and money won,t change that even if city get 4th how long will they last in the champions league? not long i don,t care what money they have it won,t help them. they need experience , which they lack time will tell and like chelsea before them they will see money does not allways mean better……….
Both David´s Villa and Silva would be amazing. If City can pay more than other top European clubs maybe there is a change.