Manchester City know that if they win the FA Cup and secure a place in the Champions League they can shake off their tag of ambitious pretenders and consider themselves part of football’s elite, according to Roberto Mancini.
Almost three years and more than £300 million on from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s takeover, Manchester City stand on the precipice of finally fulfilling his wishes: beating Everton on Saturday and Tottenham on Tuesday will guarantee the top four slot the club’s backers crave, while victory over Stoke at Wembley to lift the FA Cup next Saturday would end a 35-year wait for a trophy.
It is a period which Mancini believes will have ramifications beyond this season and next, beyond his future and that of his players, but will define the ambitions of the world’s richest club for years to come.
“It is important for me, the club and the players for us to start to win,” said the Italian. “Then in the future, Manchester City will be a strong team in Europe.
“Whether we can challenge for the title next season depends on this period. If we want to play for the Premier League next season it is very important to start winning things. We have a chance with the FA Cup, but it will not be easy, because Stoke are a strong team and anything can happen.
“If we manage to stay in fourth position [until the end of the season], and stay between first and fourth for a whole year, then we have played really well and deserve to go in the Champions League.”
Should City achieve that, competing with Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premier League title is likely to be just the start.
Sources at the club insist there will be no vast influx of players this summer, with City instead able to add quality without paying the premium their wealth, and absence from the Champions League, has cost them.
They may do so with funds raised from the sale of Carlos Tévez - Alexis Sanchez of Udinese lined up by Mancini as an immediate replacement, should the Argentine go – though City are adamant their captain, who is not expected to feature at Goodison Park today, will not be sold for less than £50 million.
Such sums are almost unthinkable for their opponents. The Everton side named by David Moyes to draw at Wigan last week cost £25 million; the City line-up which narrowly beat West Ham, without the £32 million Tévez or £27 million Edin Dzeko, still cost £165 million.
For all the discrepancies in the two clubs’ respective budgets, though, and for all that Joleon Lescott’s acrimonious transfer from Merseyside to Manchester has made the battle of the blues something of a grudge match, there is no room for envy at Goodison Park.
“They have spent a lot of money, but they have proved a few people wrong,” said Tim Cahill. “They have sustained a great league position and made the FA Cup final. They could not really have asked for a lot more.”
Nor, in truth, could Everton, on course for a par finish just outside the top six after an upsurge in form after the turn of the year. It is yet another “season that got away” for Cahill, the club’s strong finish rendered irrelevant by another meek start, but it has not made the Australian doubt his commitment to Goodison.
Indeed, even the stark contrast afforded by City’s bottomless wealth and limitless ambition is not enough to tempt him into casting coquettish glances elsewhere.
“We know the grass is not always greener,” he says. “We have a great foundation, a chairman and a manager who love the club and players who will run through brick walls for it.
“You cannot say anything bad about Joleon. It is down to personal preferences. If he wins something, then that might justify everything. I feel loyalty is very important at any club. Different players want different things.”
Balo: I don't even listen to my parents!
MARIO BALOTELLI admits there are times when he does not even listen to his own parents!
The Manchester City striker is well known for his short fuse and there have been occasions when even boss Roberto Mancini has despaired with him.
Balotelli has calmed down to an extent recently and could be in line for an FA Cup final starting spot next Saturday if skipper Carlos Tevez loses his fitness fight.
However, Balotelli insists he does take advice — sometimes. The 20-year-old said: "If you tell me things one or two times, I understand because I am not stupid.
"Patrick Vieira is one of the people I listen to most here in Manchester but I don't even listen to my parents sometimes."
Balotelli accepts next weekend's Wembley showdown with Stoke may not be quite as straightforward as many City fans hope.
The Blues are looking to end a 35-year trophy drought and, rather than worry about what Tony Pulis' men might do, Balotelli feels City have enough class to concentrate solely on their own performance, no matter what the opposition.
He added: "I have never come up against a team like Stoke before.
"They have a certain way to play and it is really difficult to play against them.
"But the quality of our team is almost the same as Inter Milan and before games at Inter, we always said we only needed to think about us.
"It is the same here. We don't have to think about Stoke, United or Chelsea. We should just stay calm and do our job."
Mancini Standing Firm Over Incredible £25M Raid For Prized German International
Roberto Mancini finds himself in the enviable position of having to defend one of his players from interest home and abroad.
“The fact that Bayern are interested in him, we are pleased because it means that we have acquired a great player. But stay here, because it is a valuable piece to our future. This year, unfortunately had some problems because of injuries, but if it does not have more problems of this kind Jerome as early as next year will become one of the strongest defenders of Europe. “
Bayern Munich have now joined Real Madrid in the chase for one of the jewels in the Eastlands crown. Jose Mourinho is identifying targets to bolster his defence over the Summer and the player he has been linked with today is Manchester City ‘defender’ Jerome Boateng , and the figure quoted is a massive £25million….mental, but read on…
The defender started life as a junior at Hertha Berlin and worked his way up through their academy, he broke into the first team during the 2006-2007 season as a youngster and made just 10 appearances for the club. At the end of that term he made the switch to Hamburg for a fee of about £900,000.
During his two seasons there he became a highly sought after player, and became a vital part of the German teams defence, he helped them reach 2 Europa League Semi-Finals as well as breaking into the German national team with whom he played for in the 2010 World Cup.
Roberto Mancini took the defender to Eastlands after the tournament for a fee thought to be around £10million, and after a delayed start due to injury he has played 21 times for the blues in all competitions, mostly at right back.
The 22 year old who was born to a Ghanaian father and German mother, is half brother of former Portsmouth player Kevin-Prince Boateng. He is happiest playing centre back and at 6’3 he is a commanding presence in the air, he is also capable of playing in either fullback position.
With Portugese coach’s future in Madrid uncertain, Jose Mourinho is planning his Summer business should he stay in the Spanish capital. He is reportedly ready to bid £25million for the German, over double what the Eastlands club paid for him.
Manchester City and Real Madrid join the £5.5m race with Liverpool to sign Arsenal defender Gael Clichy
Frenchman is out of contract in 12 months and will sit down with Gunners for next set of talks at end of the season
Manchester City and Real Madrid have joined the £5.5million race to sign Arsenal defender Gael Clichy, Goal.com can reveal.
The two big spending clubs have placed Clichy on their list of summer targets but face strong competition from Liverpool, who have a long-standing interest in the Frenchman.
Goal.com understands that Clichy, who is out of contract in 12 months, will sit down with Arsenal at the end of the season for further talks about a new deal.
Negotiations stalled earlier in the year after Clichy’s request for a hike on his £50,000-a-week wages was rebuffed by the club.
Manager Arsene Wenger fears the Gunners’ longest-serving player will not extend his stay at Emirates Stadium and is becoming increasingly willing to listen to clubs who will match Arsenal’s £5.5m valuation rather than allow the France international to leave for free in a year’s time.
Clichy, who turns 26 in July, is on the radar of a number of top clubs who are in the market for a proven performer at left-back.
Liverpool’s interest in the player has been made clear in recent months as the Merseysiders aim to use the forthcoming transfer window to fill what has become a problem position. Newcastle United's Jose Enrique has also been lined up for the left-back slot, and hopes to land the Spaniard have been boosted by Newcastle's interest in Paul Konchesky, as revealed by Goal.com.
However, director of football Damien Comolli was instrumental in bringing Clichy to London from Cannes in 2003 when he was working for Arsenal as their French scout.
City and Real are also in the market for a new left-back as they bid to beef up their squads in the summer.
Clichy has started more league games, 33, than any other Arsenal player this season and only Laurent Koscielny and Jack Wilshere have exceeded his total of 40 starts in all competitions.
After a difficult start to the campaign, his form has improved in the second half of the season, which has been enough to keep his understudy and heir Kieran Gibbs on the sidelines.
BALE TARGET
ROBERTO MANCINI wants to break the bank to land Gareth Bale in a deal worth £30m plus England star James Milner.
And Mancini is set to go to war with bitter rival Sir Alex Ferguson in the race to sign Tottenham star Bale. Manchester City boss Mancini has made Bale his No.1 transfer target this summer and is determined to get his man.
Fergie has also been tracking Bale and is keen on luring him to Manchester United, but the United boss knows he cannot compete with his big-spending neighbours and is poised to look elsewhere in his search for re-enforcements.
Landing Bale ahead of Fergie would be a huge boost for Mancini as he looks to turn City into genuine title contenders.
And the Italian is so determined to capture the Welsh wing wizard that he is even prepared to offer England star Milner plus £30m in the hope of securing a deal.
Mancini reckons Bale’s brilliance and experience could be one of the final pieces in the City jigsaw as the billionaires look to become a major force at home and abroad.
Spurs are reluctant to sell Bale, who was voted this season’s PFA ‘Player of the Year’. But Harry Redknapp’s men look like missing out on Champions League football next season and are resigned to losing their main man.
Bale signed a new and improved deal this season that Spurs hoped would keep him at White Hart Lane until 2015. But chairman Daniel Levy could be left with no choice but to cash in on Bale and sell him to the highest bidder so he can hand Redknapp significant funds to pump back into his squad.
This leaves Mancini in pole position to win the bidding war because he has unlimited funds at his disposal. Milner has struggled to hold down a regular starting place at Eastlands this season and Mancini is willing to sacrifice him.
Bale has attracted interest from a host of suitors following a stunning campaign, with Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea all keen on the 21-year-old.
But Mancini is convinced he can strike a deal for Bale and a source said: “Gareth Bale is the one player Manchester City want to sign above all.
“Roberto Mancini knows he is one of the best young stars in Europe and will break the bank to get him. “It doesn’t matter what he is valued at or how many other clubs are interested because he knows no-one can match City when it comes to competing financially.”
Adebayor heading back to Eastlands as Real Madrid decide against permanent deal
Manchester City flop Emmanuel Adebayor will be forced to return to Eastlands this summer after Real Madrid decided not to take up the option to buy him at the end of the season.
The Togo striker has been on loan at the Bernabeu since January and has bagged five goals under Jose Mourinho, including a brace against Tottenham in the Champions League Quarter-finals.
However, Spanish daily Marca reports it was decided in a meeting last week that Real chiefs aren't willing to match City's £14million valuation of the lanky forward, nor agree to his £5.3m annual wage demands.
It may not all be doom and gloom for the former Arsenal hit-man though, with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich reportedly interested in bringing him to Germany.
Man City join rivals in the hunt for Shakhtar starlet Douglas Costa
Manchester City have shown interest in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa.
The Brazilian, 20, is a long-term target of Manchester United and Chelsea, but his agent Cesar Bottega said: 'I have spoken a few times with Manchester City.
'They have shown interest in the player and are now considering whether to enter into a negotiation or not. I am planning a trip to Europe in a fortnight, but if something were to change, I'm ready to leave earlier.'
Wanted: Douglas Costa has attracted interest from several clubs
City expect Emmanuel Adebayor to return to Eastlands this summer after Real Madrid decided not to take up the option to buy him at the end of the season. Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce have expressed interest. Real are keen on Chelsea's Didier Drogba.
City, meanwhile, have tabled a £500,000 offer for Crewe starlet Dan Smith. The midfielder, 15, scored a hat-trick against Liverpool's youth side this week.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Ajax and Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has emerged as the favourite to succeed Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United's number one for next season, although Sir Alex Ferguson would have to pay £15m to land the 28-year-old. Mirror
Striker Nicklas Bendtner's future at Arsenal could be in doubt with the Denmark international set for talks with the club's hierarchy at the end of the season. talkSPORT
German giants Bayern Munich are keen on taking Bendtner to the Bundesliga if Arsenal do allow him to leave north London. Mirror
Arsenal are interested in signing Stuttgart's Serdar Tascim, according to the defender's agent, while Belgium international defender Jan Vertonghen is another long-term target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Caughtoffside.com
Arsenal have rekindled their interest in signing Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka after failing to capture the England defender last summer. Daily Mail
Liverpool and Real Madrid are both chasing £5.5m Arsenal left-back, Gael Clichy, who is out of contract in 12 months. goal.com
Tottenham are keeping close tabs on West Ham's England midfielder Scott Parker, who could become available if the Hammers are relegated from the Premier League. Metro
Hammers striker Demba Ba is another target for the north Londoners, while Chelsea and Blackburn could be interested in signing the Senegal international. Metro
Watford are hoping for a fresh cash injection if former favourite Ashley Young moves from Aston Villa this summer, with the Hertfordshire club using the sell-on fee to fund a move for Peterborough's Craig Mackail-Smith. talkSPORT
Villa have opened talks with winger Stewart Downing over a new contract at the club. Daily Express
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti could remain at Stamford Bridge for another season if owner Roman Abramovich fails to persuade Dutchman Guus Hiddink to return to west London. Telegraph
Ancelotti has said he will not be coaching in Italy next season, seemingly ruling him out of a move to former club Roma, where he played for eight years. Daily Mail
Ancelotti will be sacked if Chelsea do not beat Manchester United in their title showdown on Sunday. the Sun
Aston Villa could turn to former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as a replacement for Gerard Houllier if the Frenchman fails to recover from his health problems. Daily Mail
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will still be his number one next season despite the number of mistakes which have blighted the Brazilian's season. Mirror
Redknapp has admitted he would prefer it if Spurs do not qualify for the Europa League so that they can concentrate on finishing in the top four next season. the Independent
Chelsea have begun negotiations to sign £15m-rated striker Romelu Lukaku, 17, from Anderlecht, on the condition that the Belgian club can secure the signing of Genk winger Kevin De Bruyne for £5m. metro.co.uk
Manchester United chiefs will fly to Lisbon to negotiate a deal for Sporting keeper Rui Patricio. But the Portuguese club believe they are being used as a tool by United in their bid to land main target David de Gea from Atletico Madrid. the Sun
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is ready to offer Chris Brunt a bumper new deal in a bid to kill off interest from Liverpool and Aston Villa. the Sun
Italian giants Juventus are eyeing a shock swoop for Ipswich striker Connor Wickham and Blackburn defender Phil Jones. metro.co.uk
Tottenham are willing to sell Aaron Lennon for £15m following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Harry Redknapp. goal.com
Chelsea and Manchester United are considering summer moves for Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero. sport.co.uk
Chelsea have asked Yugoslavian legend Predrag Mijatovic to take over the role of director of football at the end of the season. Frank Arnesen is set to step down in May. Mijatovic was director of football at Real Madrid from 2006-2009. talkSport
Meanwhile, former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri has warned his old club that they should stick with current manager Carlo Ancelotti if they want to win more trophies. Daily Mirror
Having recalled £50m striker Fernando Torres for last week's win over Tottenham, Ancelotti is ready to leave the former Liverpool man out of his starting XI for the title clash at Manchester United on Sunday. Daily Mirror
On-loan David Bentley may never play for Birmingham again after walking out of the ground on Sunday when he learned he wasn't in the squad to play Wolves. Daily Mirror
Manchester United fans are being asked to pay up to £594 for an all-inclusive package tour for the Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley on 28 May. Uefa president, Michel Platini has already apologised for the price of tickets which cost between £80 and £300. Guardian
United's stars will share a £9m bonus if they win the Premier League-Champions League Double this month. the Sun
The club's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has joked with Blackpool boss Ian Holloway that he will spring a selection surprise if United wrap up the title early - by playing himself against the Tangerines on the final day. the Sun
Arsene Wenger is planning a last-minute plea to England boss Fabio Capello over Jack Wilshere's involvement in the European Under-21 Championship. Daily Express
West Ham boss Avram Grant has told chairman David Gold he is not helping the club after the co-owner's admission that the club's England players will be sold if they are relegated. Guardian
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway says it may be time to drop Charlie Adam after the Scottish midifielder's dramatic loss of form. the Daily Mirror
