ROUND-UP
The Mirror’s always readable Oliver Holt dissects City’s campaign this far in his column this morning and as ever, makes one or two astute points.
Holt reasons why nobody is getting too flustered about the Blues’ inconsistent start to the campaign and ultimately notes that, in his opinion, it is because in the end, class will probably tell in the title race and he is yet to see a better team than City so far this season.
He writes: “Despite their inconsistency, they are only six points behind league leaders Arsenal. Even though some of their performances have appalled their fans, when they are good, they are very, very good.
"Their demolition of United at the end of September was the most impressive display by any team so far this season.
“They dismantled Norwich and Newcastle, too. They were the better team for much of their defeat at Chelsea. Their defence has looked porous in the absence through injury of captain Vincent Kompany.
“But even though there is conflicting news about just when Kompany will return (here it may be for their next game, here it might not be for "several" weeks) he is not far away from fitness.
“When he’s back, and when Joe Hart has found form again – as he surely will – City will start to accelerate. If you could pick only one team in this unpredictable season who are capable of a long unbeaten run, it would be Pellegrini’s side. If they iron out their inconsistencies, they have the class to move away from the field.”
Makes pleasant reading after a flat weekend, doesn’t it?
We’ll round off with a snippet suggesting Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko could be on his way in January if he doesn’t get a sustained run in the team – that’s not actually Edin’s words, just the implication on a couple of news threads including the Mirror, Goal.com and Clubcall – with the latter reporting:
“Dzeko, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2011 and has scored 33 goals in 84 league appearances, is thought to be pondering his future at the Etihad Stadium.
“His ten goals in the World Cup qualification campaign ensured Bosnia reached their first ever World Cup and it is being reported that he wants regular first-team football so he will go to the tournament in Brazil firing on all cylinders.
"According to Corriere dello Sport both Inter, who want a long-term replacement for Diego Milito, and Roma are keeping tabs on Dzeko's situation and could make a firm bid for him in the New Year if he continues to struggle for first-team football.”
City set to sign defensive reinforcements in January as captain Kompany's return from injury is delayed further
Manchester City look likely to spend in the January transfer window to address their worsening defensive problems after manager Manuel Pellegrini received yet more bad news about captain Vincent Kompany.
With City eighth in the Barclays Premier League and with only four points from a possible 24 away from home, Pellegrini knows that he must sort out his defence if he is to mount any kind of title challenge.
It is understood that City will not look to buy a new goalkeeper, despite Joe Hart’s ongoing problems, but they are in the market for a central defender after Kompany’s injuries have turned out to be more serious than expected.
Sportsmail revealed last week that Kompany, out since the 3-1 win over Everton on October 5, would not play in the forthcoming Belgium friendlies as he tried to overcome his latest muscle injury.
Now Belgian medics warn that he is likely to be out even longer and it looks as though he will certainly miss City’s game with Tottenham on November 24.
Belgium physio Lieven Messchalck said: ‘Vincent is going to be ready in several weeks. First of all he had a rupture, a tear into the abductor and then also he has bad luck with a small thing on the front side now, so it’s everything together. Eight weeks is nothing in the time of injury — you must respect biology.’
The latest setback was supposed to keep him out for only two or three weeks but Kompany suffered a thigh injury two weeks ago while part way through his recovery.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini warned off Malaga raid for former stars Willy Caballero and Sergi Darder
The Chilean has been linked with a double swoop on former club Malaga but they're only interested in 'building' not not selling
Malaga have warned Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini off raiding his old club for Willy Caballero and Sergi Darder.
Pellegrini has been linked with Malaga keeper Caballero since Joe Hart's dip in form and the 32-year-old Argentine has a reported £17million buy-out clause in his contract.
The 19-year-old midfielder Darder is also said to be interesting the Citizens and although the teenager has made just 11 La Liga appearances for the Anchovies, he reportedly has a release fee of £34million.
Malaga's general manager Vicente Casado claims the Spanish club, who Pellegrini led to last season's Champions League quarter-final, are not interested in selling either player in January.
Casado told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: "We will not sell Caballero or Darder. We're just focused on building."
GOLDEN BOLLOX 13 November 2010
City are booed from the pitch after a drab 0-0 draw against third-bottom Birmingham at the Etihad Stadium. A crowd of 44,501 are unhappy with the Blues’ inability to unlock the visitors’ defence, though Roberto Mancini's side remain in fourth position in the Premier League, six points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Arrogant Adam Johnson must not to believe his own hype, warns boss Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini has told Adam Johnson to stop believing his own publicity after the England winger admitted he is growing impatient sat on the bench at Manchester City.
Half of Johnson's 16 appearances this season have come as a substitute, although he is expected to be recalled for his fifth Barclays Premier League start at home to Birmingham.
Mancini, who reprimanded the 23-year-old over his part in a boozy trip to Scotland last month, has grown concerned over Johnson's attitude since he won his first England cap in May.
Don't believe the hype: Mancini has warned fed-up Johnson to get on with it at City
Asked if the international recognition and hype have gone to the player's head, Mancini said: 'This could be true. He's young and when you read the newspapers every day saying, "I'm at the top, I'm at the top", then probably.
'He can play for England but if he wants to continue doing this he needs to play well in every game for us. Some dribbling or two crosses don't make him a good player. He must keep his feet on the floor. It's important all the players have good behaviour during the week. He's a fantastic talent but he's not a top player at this moment.'
The former Middlesbrough winger's career took off after he joined City for £6million in the January transfer window, but his opportunities have been restricted by the progress of summer signing David Silva.
Ready to go: Johnson is eager to hold down a starting role on a regular basis at Eastlands
Johnson was given only a 20- minute run-out in Wednesday's Manchester derby and admitted: 'I wouldn't say I was great with it. I'm the type of person that wants to play football all the time so it's hard to watch.
'It's a little bit frustrating because I started the season well, but I have still tended to find myself on the bench.'
Dortmund maintain interest in City's Dzeko as Bosnian striker looks for more action
Borussia Dortmund are maintaining interest in Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko as the German side look to strengthen ahead of the possibility of losing several players this summer.
The Bosnian is eager to secure regular first team football and is open to offers in January.
Dortmund are reluctant to spend over £15million which is below City's valuation but want a replacement for Robert Lewandowski who is destined for Bayern Munich.
They also expect a bid from Manchester United for midfielders Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan.
German international Reus enjoyed an outstanding season for his club last year, scoring 19 goals from midfield.
Then 24-year-old has a £29.4million release clause which Moyes hopes to offset with the inclusion of Kagawa who has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford since his move from Dortmund 18 months ago.
Reus' Dortmund team-mate Gundogan could also be included in the deal. The playmaker joined the German giants two years ago but has made only three appearances this term
Player in focus: Yaya Touré
Quickly growing to be one of football’s greatest central midfielders, Yaya Touré has an obvious abundance of talent. He combines power and finesse making him seem almost effortless in everything he does. But where did it all start for Yaya? He began his football for Académie de Sol Beni, the reserve team for a club called ASEC Mimosas, based in the capital city in the Ivory Coast. He player there for 5 years before making the switch to European football, playing for Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk and Olympiacos. He played a total of 129 games scoring 9 goals. As the 2006 World Cup came along, AS Monaco had reportedly been interested in Yaya’s services. His performances helped to sway their decision and he was quickly installed into the Monaco side. However his relationship with his manager, László Bölöni, was poor with Touré feeling as though he was being played out of position. Bölöni was sacked soon after meaning that Yaya was played in his preferred position of midfield. From here he scored 5 goals in the second half of the season to help his team out of a relegation battle, showcasing his talent to the rest of Europe.
Talent
With Touré playing so well in his new found position, it was only logical to assume that an even bigger club would snap him up quickly. His destination this time? Barcelona. The Camp Nou, a place where he had to impress. He joined for €10 million (£6.7 million), which looking at him how was a very good deal. But for a player at the beginning of their journey to the top that sum was reasonable. His performances switched between outstanding and average in his 3 years at the club. His place was under continued jeopardy however with Pep Guardiola favouring the controversial Sergio Busquets in the midfield role. A season later it was to be goodbye to the Camp Nou with Barcelona confirming that Touré was allowed to leave in the summer. Yaya’s final switch to date came in the form of a move to the Etihad Stadium where he would join the exciting new project at Manchester City.
He began well with Touré playing 49 times in his first season, scoring 10 goals along the way. His position began to change slightly, moving to a more attacking central midfield role. As the season went on as the City manager Roberto Mancini began to see the attacking threat that Touré possessed. It would be here that he has played to this day. In the following two season Yaya continued to impress and visibly grew as a player, making a total of 84 appearances in all competitions. He had firmly established himself in the midfield alongside David Silva and anytime Touré was absent it was clear for all to see. So how has this season begun for the Ivorian? Well in my opinion he seems to be in the form of his life, already scoring 7 goals in the 14 games he has played. If anything his effortless ability to glide with the ball only seems to have improved, bushing players aside as if they aren’t even there. What’s stuck in my mind about him so far this season however is his astonishing ability with a dead ball.
Power and pace
I remember watching a Manchester City game against Hull earlier in the season in which he hit a free kick so sweetly that it nestled into the top corner and left McGregor helpless. He has more recently hit a free kick similar to his one against Hull into the top corner showing Premier League fans exactly what he can do. So far this campaign he has played a total of 900 minutes showing just how much of a regular he is to the side. What makes him such a great player is that he has so much more to his game than his goals and ability to take players on. For example, he is great in the air, towering above opposition players with his huge 6ft 4in frame. One of my favourite things about Yaya is his ability to play that final ball or that crucial pass that can win his side the game in an instant. I would go as far as describing him as a majestic player with the ball at his feet and he has certainly earned his place in my fantasy football side for this season.
With the World Cup coming up and Ivory Coast on the brink of qualification there couldn’t have been a better time for Touré to play the best football of his life and cement his place in that central midfield spot. I look forward to watching him for the rest of the season where he will surely give fans a few more memorable moments along the way, showing everyone why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 13 November 2011
Real Madrid plan £20M bid for unsettled Man City midfielder Nigel de Jong
Real Madrid are chasing unsettled Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.
The Daily Star Sunday says De Jong has emerged as a shock £20million target for Real Madrid.
Real boss Jose Mourinho sent scouts to watch the Dutch midfield hardman in Manchester City’s recent Champions League game in Spain against Villarreal.
De Jong, 26, was disappointed when talks on a new contract at the Etihad Stadium stalled in the summer.
Negotiations on a new four-year deal are due to resume in the new year, with a view to De Jong signing an improved contract at the end of the season.
But Real are now watching De Jong, a £17m signing from Hamburg.
QPR skipper Barton: Mancini success down to Man City money
QPR skipper Joey Barton has taken a swipe at Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.
Barton feels Mancini's work at City is being over-hyped.
Asked what he made of Mancini’s reign, Barton said: “He’s done well – but I think you could have done that job with that amount of money!
“For me, the test of a manager is not managing Man City but managing a Birmingham or Nottingham Forest – a club that doesn’t have a great deal of finance, that doesn’t have big boardroom backing and maybe is in a bit of turmoil.
“That’s when you find out who the true managers really are.”
Barton did however last week give this assessment of Manchester football in the wake of the demolition derby on Twitter:
'Who from the United side would get into the City side? Maybe two or three of them...after what we've seen City do at Old Trafford, it would take a brave man to bet against City...I'm thinking the power has turned.'
'Barcelona approach' is the only way to stop Manchester City, says Steve Staunton
STEVE Staunton believes Manchester City’s millions have made it virtually impossible for Villa to return to their previous heights.
The former Villa defender came within a whisker of winning the Premier League during his first spell in the Midlands when Ron Atkinson’s side were pipped to the title by Manchester United in 1993.
Villa have failed to improve on that impressive season ever since as money slowly started to dictate the game and Staunton now feels the chances of his former club, or any other competitor, taking on the wealth of City are slim.
“At the moment you’d have to say Manchester City have brought it all onto a new playing field,” he said.
“I don’t see anyone coming up to where they are at this moment in time.
“They can go out in January and spend another couple of hundred of million if they want. Who can do that nowadays?
“The only way you can do that is if you do a Barcelona – start afresh, go and get players in and teach them how to play football from a young age.
Romania opt for goalkeeper Pantilimon
Romania called up Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon yesterday for their World Cup play-offs against Greece after first-choice custodian Cip-rian Tatarusanu sustained a back injury in training.
“Due to Ciprian Tatarusanu’s lumbar spine problems, national team coach Victor Piturca decided to call up Manchester City keeper Costel Pantilimon,” the Romanian federation said in a statement.
Tatarusanu, 27, has kept his place in the squad with team doctors trying to help him recover in time for the first leg match in Athens on Friday.
Why Manchester City haven't been labelled a crisis club yet.. and why they'll still probably win the title
Oliver Holt reveals the three reasons the Blues' problems have flown under the radar and why he expects them to be champions
Manchester City currently lie eighth in the Premier League table.
That’s the same Manchester City who spent £92million on Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic and Martin Demichelis this summer.
The same Manchester City whose new boss Manuel Pellegrini said he wanted to win all four trophies in his first season.
The same Manchester City who have lost four of their six away games this season, including Sunday’s defeat at Sunderland.
In other seasons, the Blues would have been anointed the crisis club of preference long ago.
But somehow they’ve flown under the radar. Here are the three reasons why...
One: Roberto Mancini isn’t in charge.
For some reason, the Italian was a magnet for controversy. That was his style. He didn’t do softly-softly like Pellegrini.
He was not one for soothing the egos of the big names even if he never actually went as far as dropping Joe Hart.
If Mancini were still in charge, you can bet there would have been a training ground bust-up by now. At the very least, a few unnamed players would have trotted out the old accusation he was unfriendly and that morale was low.
And chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain would have been fretting that the manager’s approach was not holistic enough.
Mancini would have blamed the club for not spending more. The club would have hit back.
Two: Alex Ferguson retired.
Fergie’s departure led many to follow what they assumed was a preordained narrative: Without [strike]Sir[/strike] Alex, United would lose their grip on English football and sink into decline.
That narrative gained strength when United made an inconsistent start to the season under new boss David Moyes.
Nobody noticed City’s inconsistencies as the champions struggled with their vulnerabilities.
Even though Moyes acted with great dignity and there was no suggestion he was under pressure from the club, the bookmakers shortened the odds on Ferguson returning to replace him as manager by Christmas.
As Phil Jones said this week, everyone was desperate for United to fail because they had suffered through their hegemony for so long.
As Pellegrini wound his way through a series of monotone press conferences, City’s struggles seemed dull in comparison to those of their neighbours.
And Three: City will probably still win the title.
Despite their inconsistency, they are only six points behind league leaders Arsenal. Even though some of their performances have appalled their fans, when they are good, they are very, very good.
Their demolition of United at the end of September was the most impressive display by any team so far this season.
They dismantled Norwich and Newcastle, too. They were the better team for much of their defeat at Chelsea.
Their defence has looked porous in the absence through injury of captain Vincent Kompany.
But even though there is conflicting news about just when Kompany will return (here it may be for their next game, here it might not be for "several" weeks) he is not far away from fitness.
When he’s back, and when Joe Hart has found form again – as he surely will – City will start to accelerate.
If you could pick only one team in this unpredictable season who are capable of a long unbeaten run, it would be Pellegrini’s side.
If they iron out their inconsistencies, they have the class to move away from the field
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Ex-Man City boss Roberto Mancini wants to take Chelsea’s John Terry to Galatasaray
Galatasaray are plotting an ambitious swoop for Chelsea captain John Terry.
Roberto Mancini is hoping to bring the former England skipper to Turkey, although the move has not yet been sanctioned by the Galatasaray board.
The Turkish champions will match his £150,000-a-week wages and beat Chelsea’s policy of only offering one-year extensions to players aged over 30, according to reports in The Sun.
Terry is out of contract at the end of the season and Mancini has been promised money to spend on strengthening his squad.
The 32-year-old has reestablished himself as a key part of the Blues’ defence since Jose Mourinho returned to the club, so Mancini’s only real hope of landing his target is by offering the stability of a longer contract.
A move to Galatasaray would see Terry reunited with Champions League-winning team-mate Didier Drogba.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires, 26, says he has little interest in a proposed transfer to Real Madrid. London Evening Standard
Midfielder Michael Carrick, 32, is close to signing a two-year contract extension with Manchester United. Guardian
But Carrick could be sidelined until Christmas after receiving an injection to resolve a persistent Achilles tendon injury. Daily Telegraph
England boss Roy Hodgson thinks an African team has more chance of winning next year's World Cup in Brazil than a European side because of the climate. DSSC
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Raheem Sterling's senior England debut last year against Sweden came too early. The 18-year-old is currently in Gareth Southgate's Under-21 squad. Times
Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana, 23, and forward Jay Rodriguez, 24, could make their England debuts against Chile on Friday after an injury to Michael Carrick and an agreement that Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will used in one of England's two games. Roy Hodgson's side also face Germany on Tuesday. Daily Mirror
Barcelona and Chile striker Alexis Sanchez, 24, says England's footballers are too soft and that Roy Hodgson's side have no chance of winning the World Cup in Brazil next year. Daily Express
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish flew out to Russia on Tuesday to hold talks with Dinamo Moscow head coach and former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu about becoming the Eagles boss. Daily Mirror
But former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen is also in negotiations with Palace after the Dutchman turned down an opportunity to work in Qatar. Independent
Roberto Di Matteo, 43, is still being paid £130,000 a week by Chelsea, despite being sacked as manager 12 months ago. The Italian was unable to reach a settlement after being dismissed last November, and will continue to receive the money until June 2014 unless he takes another job. DSSC
The Premier League is close to agreeing that the 2022 World Cup could be switched to November and December, according to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke. Daily Telegraph
German coach Jochim Loew, 52, says his country's best young players gained confidence and trust by receiving more playing time at Bundesliga clubs. Times
Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley, 28, hopes to sign a new contract with the club after being reintegrated into the first team under new head coach Gus Poyet. Journal
West Bromwich Albion's kit man joked that he is considering sending the team out for their next match against Chelsea in Mickey Mouse ears after Blue boss Jose Mourinho allegedly called Baggies defender Jonas Olsson a "Mickey Mouse player". Daily Telegraph
Brooklyn Beckham's ongoing trial at Fulham was set up by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho's son is already at the club as a goalkeeper, and he helped former England captain David Beckham organise the trial for his 14-year-old son. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 13 November 2012
Balo on his bike
MARIO BALOTELLI is on his way out of Manchester City after partying 12 HOURS before Sunday’s game.
Balotelli was seen entering the Panacea Restaurant and Bar in Alderley Edge at 1am — with City kicking off at 1.30pm against Spurs that afternoon. The Italian, 22, watched the match from the stands.
It means Roberto Mancini will now get the OK to make a club-record £45million bid for Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao once he gets rid of Balotelli. This is just the latest controversial incident involving the City bad-boy.
On eye witness said: “He arrived at Panacea with a big entourage and certainly hadn’t dressed down for the occasion.
“I was astonished that he would be so brazen being seen out partying so close to a match, whether he was playing or not.”
Balotelli had been axed from the City squad the previous day and told he was not required at the team hotel that night.
But he could still have been needed had one of the other three strikers been taken ill.
Panacea advertises itself as the ‘Social Hub’ of Alderley Edge where a bottle of Krug Collection Champagne costs £1,000.
Balotelli has not officially broken any rules by being out as he was not in the squad, but eyebrows have been raised at City.
Mancini will be ready to listen to offers from both Milan clubs.
Colombian Falcao will cost City £45m — dwarfing the £38m they paid Atletico for Sergio Aguero.
But club chiefs are willing to fund a January move if they can get back the £24m they paid Inter for Balo in August 2010.
Chelsea are also eyeing Falcao, who has hit 49 goals in 60 Atletico
appearances. Falcao will demand £200,000-a-week wages and Mancini is understood to have already met his agent Jorge Mendes.SUN
BINGO BOLLOX
[spoiler]
BINGO MEMORIUM FUND: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=44426[/spoiler]
