Time for change in Manchester?
Posted by Young'un in Arsenal, Man City, Man United | 14 July 2009
So, 'silly season' is here. With no major tournament, the lack of football drives the fans mad. In order to numb the pain, the media start spouting all sort of garbage about who's going where. As expected, Arsenal players are near the centre of attention: Fabregas to Barca, Arshavin to Barca, Van Persie to Inter, Adebayor to Man City. The latter is the only one with any truth in it. And, for me anyway, it's the one that is the least 'destructive.' I find him lazy, arrogant and perhaps even a tad overrated. He has all the necessary attributes but since he's started scoring goals, he's lost the attitude he had when he first joined from Monaco in 2006. If this deal does happen, it proves just how good Wenger is in the market; as he will be making a profit on the lanky striker of roughly £15 million. Yet despite his flaws, City will be getting a striker who is quick, strong, dominant in the air and cool in front of goal.
Which leads onto my main point about this artice: is this Manchester City's chance to finally fulfill the potential they've been given since the arabs took over? With Mark Hughes at the helm, the club have made expensive, but sensible buys. Well, most of them anyway; the signings of Nigel De Jong and Wayne Bridge still baffle me. And although Hughes will have trouble accomodating all his new players, City potentially have the best strikeforce in the country. This enbarrassment of riches includes Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz, Bellamy and possibly Adebayor. Naturally there may be more to come (John Terry rumours have been circulating of late) but they already have an impressive looking team:
Given
Richards, Onouha, Dunne, Bridge
Wright Phillips, Barry, Ireland, Petrov
Tevez, Santa Cruz
I have no idea what players and what formation Hughes will field next season but I think that XI has enough quality to challenge for a top 4 place.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Manchester, are United on the decline? With the player wanting to go and a ridiculously big offer on the table, Fergie had little choice but to sell Ronaldo, but how can they replace him? In an attempt to do that, he's brought in Antonio Valencia from Wigan and Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux. I know little about the latter but somehow I doubt he's at the Portugese winker's level. As for Valencia, well yes he's good, probably too good for Wigan, but is he worth £17million and a place at 'the world's top club?' I doubt it. Tevez has also left the club and joined bitter rivals City. His replacement? Michael Owen. For all his quality in front of goal, you can't help but feel its a gamble considering his age and injury record. Is it just me or have United taken a step backwards? What if Rooney and Owen both get injured (it's certainly possible)? Reserve-atov and Macheda up front is it? Oh no, please don't.
In my expert opinion, I think the race for 4th will be hotter than ever. Naturally I predict Arsenal will be well clear of that, Chelsea too under the guidance of Ancelotti. But I think Liverpool's squad is too weak (if Gerrard and Torres are out they are screwed), and as previously stated, United's has taken a beating, too. The likes of Man City, Everton and dare I say it, Tottenham will all be in the running. But one thing is certain: it's gonna be another brilliant season in the Premier League!
Comments
why is petrov starting instead of robinho you fool
not a slag City off, they don't know what they're doing, they're only going for the money article .. what ever next? .. 2 left-sided top defenders (only Bridge, Garrido?) and i reckon Citeh must have a serious chance of the top 4 .. what of the other end for a change? .. Burnley, Hull, and ? .. Wigan arguably shouln't be in the prem .. 18 000 gates - that's championship average - half prem's 36 000 (almost exactly halves per div, btw)
John, if you took the trouble to read you'd find the following comment: "I have no idea what players and what formation Hughes will field next season."
It was just a wee attempt at picking a team, I just assumed Petrov was more accustomed to the left midfield role. Obviously I was wrong and can only apologise for my foolishness...
It isn't a fact that Adebayor will leave. Some fans want him to leave , others don't . He's a good striker , has good speed, and not very overrated (he is worth 20m imho) . Look at some of his best goals , against Villareal , Tottenham etc. He can do that . I certainly wouldn't want him to leave . I'm curious about how AA + RvP would work in the front . We certainly don't have any better strikers , nor any great replacements except Eduardo .
Wenger isn't at his first big profit . Do you remember when he sold Anelka to Real Madrid for ~22m profit?
Tevez is overated and a judas, SAF never wanted him anyway UNITED REJECT!
Owen is a far better striker and will score many more goals than Tevez and Robinhio combined.
*** 33 YEARS ***
for man city to mount a serious challenge they should invest in a top 4 manager. Looking at his tranfers from january to now its obvious he doesn't know what hes doing
I see Fergie's been gobbing off about being priced out of the market with over inflated transfer fees. Boo! Hoo! So Fergie hasn't spent big then? Didn't he pay almost £30m for 'plug' (Ferdinand), that's just for starters. The big four cartel have had it all their own way for the last 10 years. City have been just one of the teams looking through the window and thinking, 'if only...' Well City's time has definitely come, so excuse us if we don't apologise, just get used to the fact! There's a new sheriff in town, and he ain't taking any prisoners.
Wills...............HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! FErgie, Fergie sign im up, Fergie sign im up!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.........HAHAHAHAHAHA......
Owen and berbaflop comic book genius .... you couldn't make it up! Welcome to Manchester Calos.
That is nice to definitely locate a web site where the blogger really knows what he is talking about.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.reallifenews.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1253
