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Roberto Mancini praised the Blues fifth place finish after the draw at West Ham and then told of his wish to bring in players before the World Cup commences.

The Blues boss is planning to forgo a holiday as he begins to shape the side in his own image.

“There is hard work ahead because I would like players in before the World Cup starts,” he said.

"I think that we will be able to attract
top players to City in the summer,
players that will improve the group."

After watching Shaun Wright-Phillips grab a headed equaliser in a slow paced affair at Upton Park, Mancini said he was delighted with the fifth place finish that was secured thanks to the point at West Ham and Villa’s home defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

“Fifth is a big improvement on last season,” he said. “I I have enjoyed my first half season at the club and I am now looking forward to working hard this summer to make sure we get better again.

“It was difficult coming in the middle of the season when I didn’t know the players but we have done well and Europa League football is a good thing.

"We have done well to finish above very
good sides, top sides, like Liverpool,
Everton and Villa but now we must
improve again to challenge the top
four."

“People have to remember that Spurs have been building their side for some years."

Mancini also re-iterated that he expects both Argentina international Carlos Tevez and Wales star Craig Bellamy to start next season with City.

“Craig was left behind at West Ham because he hurt his ankle against Tottenham,” revealed the City manager. “I expect him to be a City player next season.

“Carlos will be here too; there is no problem with him. He wants to stay at City and win things.”

mcfc.co.uk

ryanmjo wrote:I thought the transfer window didn't open until 1 July? Does he mean just have deals in place?

edge275 wrote:

ryanmjo wrote:I thought the transfer window didn't open until 1 July? Does he mean just have deals in place?

It opens tonight mate.

ryanmjo wrote:

edge275 wrote:

ryanmjo wrote:I thought the transfer window didn't open until 1 July? Does he mean just have deals in place?

It opens tonight mate.

Hmm, Wikipedia must have been wrong. Imagine that?!

Anyway, that's great news. Hope we have some new players to talk about tomorrow.

avoidconfusion wrote:Apparently he said in an interview after the game that we already signed Boateng?

Blue Blood wrote:

avoidconfusion wrote:Apparently he said in an interview after the game that we already signed Boateng?

Really!

Who has said this?

I hope its true :D

*EDIT*

Apparently old Ian Cheeseman said on GMR that he'd spoken to Bobby Manc and he said it was a done deal, this is info from bluemoon though so it's probably codswallop!

Any GMR listeners out there happen to hear this little nugget of info at all today and are able to confirm the bluemoon rumour to be true?

Vhero wrote:We need to buy before the world cup really as the world cup can make a player valuation go up and though we can afford it getting players for a cut price would be better. Plus it would make it easier to get them now before they make a name for themselves in the world cup.

Mike J wrote:i get the feeling that boeteng isnt a mancini signing. we've been after him for ages. whilst im sure he is a good player and i know marwood was mainly from marwood, a football club shouldnt be run like that. i hope mancini gets to sign the players HE wants to sign.

just no more vieiras please bob.

Michael Brookes wrote:

Vhero wrote:We need to buy before the world cup really as the world cup can make a player valuation go up and though we can afford it getting players for a cut price would be better. Plus it would make it easier to get them now before they make a name for themselves in the world cup.

true but then there's always the chance we buy big and the fella breaks his leg in the wc and is then done for the season!

Vhero wrote:We need to buy before the world cup really as the world cup can make a player valuation go up and though we can afford it getting players for a cut price would be better. Plus it would make it easier to get them now before they make a name for themselves in the world cup.

Dronny wrote:

Vhero wrote:We need to buy before the world cup really as the world cup can make a player valuation go up and though we can afford it getting players for a cut price would be better. Plus it would make it easier to get them now before they make a name for themselves in the world cup.

Not trying to be a billy big balls with loadsa money but if a player has a magical WC and his valuation increases then there are still less than a handful of teams that could go for them if we start talking daft money.

And manager Roberto Mancini admitted for the first time that the Blues are “quite close” to clinching the deal for the 6ft 3ins star.

He has been labelled as the best defender in the Bundesliga, and City beat off strong interest from Bayern Munich to sign him.

Mancini said: “Boateng is a good player, a young player and strong. He plays for the national team and we have a good chance to get him.

“We are quite close to signing him.”