What is it with clubs that get a ridiculously wealthy benefactor and therefore the chance to start something special, instead choosing to create a functional, soulless machine of a team? City are finding that money doesn't buy you everything, that the world's best players just aren't interested in going there. City may offer top dollar, but other clubs still pay well, and if anyone is going to persuade a player to move to northern, grey Manchester, its going to be United. Has it not crossed anyone's mind at City that if they played a more attractive brand of soccer they might attract a better type of player? If City don't want to become more expansive it's hard to see why they should bother entering the transfer market in search of new players. They will surely be hoping to offload a lot of deadwood though. Considering wages this could prove problematic. I'm surprised they are letting Boateng go to Bayern.
Signing No. 1 should be a proven left back. Spending millions has brought little reward in their search for a top player in this position. Gael Clichy is an option, but Leighton Baines is the obvious solution.
Signing No. 2 must be someone creative, preferably in midfield. City are allegedly interested in Modric, who would do a fine job, but Kaka would really drive them forward and bring their wingers into play. Real seem intent on buying more and more players, so Kaka, who doesn't seem to have settled in Madrid, might find a bucket load of cash persuades him that a change is a good idea. For City it could prove be the marquee signing who opens the door for others.
Signing No. 3 is a winger. City fans would love Mancini to show more faith in Adam Johnson, but that looks unlikely. James Milner's running isn't going to win a team the CL so City need to look for a player who matches the creativity of David Silva. Trying to buy everyone's top target Alexis Sanchez from Udinese makes sense. But will offering bags more money than anyone else be enough?
4 comments:
I think your characterization of City is a bit negative. They started to flow a lot better in the last few weeks of the season. Most of that is thanks to Yaya, but nevertheless they seemed to be playing a better and more attractive brand of football. We'll see how they start in August.
I thought Robinho was supposed to be the marquee signing that opened the door for others.
Editor: Yaya Toure is a fine player, but if he's your main source of creativity you're hardly rivalling Barca for entertainment.
BBS: Robinho was a wonderfully creative stalwart for City who never let them down, but I'm not sure he has the cachet of Kaka.
Yaya's runs opened things up for others such as Silva to be creative. I thought Tevez's absence gave others a lot of freedom that they didn't have when he was the point man.
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