Does Sagna spell the end for Richards?
City's reinforcement at full-back would suggest Micah Richards has fallen further down the pecking order, writes Gary Owen.
The signing of Bacary Sagna looks to have signalled the end of Micah Richards’ City career.
Personally, I’m disappointed Richards never managed to progress in the way we had hoped when he first burst on to the scene.
That is partly due to injuries but the arrival of Sagna to provide competition for Pablo Zabaleta looks like it will push Richards further down the pecking order.
I am sure that if he was playing regularly, Micah would want to stay at City for the rest of his life.
He is blue through and through and the fans will be sorry if he goes. But football is not about sentiment.
He may be one of us – but unless you can reach the levels expected by City these days then you are going to be surplus to be requirements.
City expect to be challenging for top honours every season.
In Zabaleta, they have the Premier League’s outstanding right-back – and now they have added Arsenal’s Sagna to a squad that won the Premier League title and the Capital One Cup last season.
The truth is that Richards has hardly played over the last two years. When he did get his chances, he needed to make it difficult for the manager to take him out of the team, but he’s just not done himself justice.
Perhaps he tried too hard to impress and failed to play his natural game. That can often be the case when playing so irregularly.
From being an England international and in City’s first team, he has faded away.
Maybe he needs to go somewhere else to get first-team football because he certainly has the talent to play in the top flight and internationally.
He has pace, he’s great in the air and is strong, but doesn’t seem to be blessed with the engine to get up and down the flank. Maybe that is why right-back is a bit of a struggle for him.
Another problem is that he has been too easily injured. And when he’s out, it tends to be for months, rather than weeks.
But, of course, he has the credentials to still be a top Premier League player. That is why there will be so much interest in him this summer. There won’t be a shortage of managers wanting to snap him up if City decide to let him go.
The team that comes to mind is Liverpool.
Central defence was an issue for them as they pushed City for the title last season. When Micah came through the ranks at City it was as a centre- back.
Talk to former academy boss Jim Cassell and he will tell you that his position was in the centre of defence, rather than on the right.
He was an outstanding centre-back. Perhaps that is how Liverpool will see him as Brendan Rodgers looks to build on the Merseysiders’ impressive season last term.
If Micah does have to take the difficult decision to start afresh somewhere new, then there could be far worse places to do it than at Anfield.
Joleon Lescott to become Alan Irvine's first signing
Manchester City ace set for West Bromwich Albion switch
West Bromwich Albion are currently in talks with Joleon Lescott, as newly appointed boss Alan Irvine aims to make him his first summer signing, DSSC reports.
The manager has already worked with the Manchester City centre back during their time at Everton as he admits to having a great working relationship.
Irvine said: “There is an interest in Joleon. He is a player I know well. We had a lot of years together at Everton. I’ve had a great working relationship with Joleon in past. I saw him at the end of season when Everton were playing Manchester City. I didn’t know this would happen otherwise I might have had a start.
“There are a number of issues. Joleon has said he would be more than happy to work with me again. If that helps then fantastic. You’ve got to know personality, the character of a player; I know him really well and have no doubts on that side. He’s a terrific professional and the more of them we can have the better.
“I believe the negotiations are going very well at this moment so hopefully we are able to meet Joleon’s demands. That’s the kind of calibre of player we would love to bring in.”
Lescott, 31, made only 13 appearances for City the previous season and will play out his current contract, making him a free agent at the end of the month.
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I ended up as Andy Morrison ... which I'm quite happy about tbh
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[/spoiler]Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha has warned Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, he is putting his career at risk by playing at the World Cup with a knee injury. nbcsports.com
England have been warned about Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for their Group D match with Uruguay after former manager of England's referees Keith Hackett said: "He produces cards quicker than Dynamo the magician." you-are-the-ref.com
Uruguay will be without their captain Diego Lugano, 33, in the potentially decisive match against England as the defender is suffering from a knee injury. Bild
Fifa has denied a claim from Argentina World Cup winner Diego Maradona that he was prevented from attending his side's opening match in the Maracana. DSSC
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen says Manchester United have misused his Belgium team-mate Marouanne Fellaini - after the £27m midfielder netted a crucial goal just five minutes into his World Cup finals debut. Daily Mirror
For a player once venerated by the Spanish as "Saint Iker" this World Cup has been not so much a disaster as a desecration for goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Times
A revolutionary spirit was in the air after Chile's 2-0 victory over Spain as the victorious team's supporters and a host of South American friends came to jeer the World Cup exit of the champions . Guardian
The Concacaf nations - Mexico, United States, Costa Rica and Honduras - have outpaced every other federation at the World Cup thus far, winning three, drawing one and losing just one of their five fixtures. Times (subscription)
Greece midfielder Giannis Maniatis, 27, booked himself a flight home after a dispute during training, but was persuaded to stay. Guardian
Following admiration for their litter-collecting exploits, Japanese fans continue to be the darlings of the Brazilian media for selling unused match tickets at below face value. Guardian
Chelsea will not let Eden Hazard, 23, join Paris St-Germain and the French champions have all but given up hope of signing the Belgian international, says coach Laurent Blanc. RMC
Arsenal are set to offer AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, a deal worth £180,000 per week to move to Emirates Stadium this summer. Metro
Manchester United target Toni Kroos, 24, is no closer to committing his future to Bayern Munich despite the midfielder's team-mates Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm being given new deals. DSSC
Everton have made an offer for Valencia midfielder Ever Banega, 25, who is also being pursued by AC Milan and Marseille. L'Equipe
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to sign midfielder Adam Lallana, 26, and defender Dejan Lovren, 24, from Southampton and is prepared to lose 23-year-old striker Fabio Borini as part of the deal. Daily Mirror
New Southampton boss Ronald Koeman wants Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, 29, to provide competition for Artur Boruc. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are lining up a £3m bid for Sunderland's 33-year-old defender John O'Shea. Daily Telegraph
Manchester United defender Alexander Buttner is leaving Old Trafford because new boss Louis van Gaal doesn't rate him. Daily Mirror
Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, 27, says he wants to concentrate on the World Cup with Chile and not worry about the transfer rumours linking him with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Tuttosport
Liverpool have started preliminary discussions with Bayern Munich over a proposed £16m deal for 22 year-old Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri. Bild
Real Madrid are in the market for a central defender and could make a move for Real Sociedad's 23-year-old Spanish footballer Inigo Martinez. L'Equipe
Napoli are reluctant to sell striker Gonzalo Higuan, 26, to Barcelona and are likely to demand a £55m transfer fee. As.com
Real Madrid's 28 year-old defender Sergio Ramos says "excuses are for losers" after Spain were beaten 2-0 by Chile on Wednesday, adding that the loss marks the end of a cycle. As.com
Juventus are currently negotiating a fee for 21 year-old Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata. Tuttosport
Robin van Persie's 93-year-old grandad has been photographed #VanPersieing - a social media trend started after the Dutch striker scored against Spain at the World Cup.
England striker Wayne Rooney praised Manchester United team-mate Van Persie for his strike during the Netherlands' 3-2 victory over Australia. The 28-year-old tweeted: "Great finish by @Persie_official. Yes Batman."
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott congratulated Dutchman Arjen Robben for becoming the world's fastest footballer, a title he previously held. "Robben, Congrats for beating my clocked speed but thought it looked a bit downhill," the 25-year-old tweeted.
England defender Phil Jones tweeted that Australia's controversial penalty for a cross that hit the trailing hand of Netherlands' defender Daryl Janmaat from close range should never have been. "Where does the referee expect the defender to put his arms?" the 22-year-old wrote.
Uruguay's players were woken in the middle of the night at their hotel to find insects crawling in their bed sheets, prompting sections of the nation's media to claim it was part a dirty tricks campaign by England fans. Daily Star
Englishman David Grey has appealed online for fellow Uruguay supporters to join him to watch Thursday's World Cup match without success. The 58-year-old developed a love for Uruguay based on striker Luis Suarez and the leftist ideals of the country's former guerrilla president, Jose Mujica. Guardian
GOLDEN BOLLOX 19-6-2010
Man City to offer Spain star massive £40m wage deal to move to Eastlands
Manchester City will offer David Silva an eye-watering £160,000-a-week to move to Eastlands.
As City finalise the £25million capture of Yaya Toure from Barcelona, they have also stepped up their efforts to entice Silva from Valencia.
The Spain winger was understood to be cool initially on City's interest and was said to prefer a move to either Barca or Real Madrid.
However, he is now warming towards the Blues, having spoken to his international team-mates at the World Cup about Roberto Mancini's side.
City CEO Garry Cook has done the groundwork for the deal in face-to-face talks with Valencia president Manuel Llorente in Spain, although he has yet to submit a formal offer.
The debt-ridden Spanish club hope to start the bidding at £30million and City are understood to be considering £25million as their opening gambit.
Chelsea are also keen on Silva and City are determined not to be beaten if a bidding war breaks out.
Personal terms will not be a problem either and City will offer Silva a five-year deal worth a staggering £40million.
The Blues are prepared to take their time over the negotiations and do not want to distract Silva after Spain lost their opening World Cup game to Switzerland.
Toure's transfer is much closer to completion and City are speaking to the Ivory Coast midfielder's camp after agreeing to the deal in principle with Barca.
Toure has publicly stated his desire to move to the Premier League and play alongside big brother and City skipper Kolo.
Toure and Silva would be part of a new-look £85million midfield as City remain keen on England and Aston Villa winger James Milner.
Shaun Wright-Phillips could be one of the main victims of Mancini's transfer blitz and the City boss will listen to offers for the England winger, who has failed to win a regular place under the Italian.
Agent insists Manchester City are in pole position to sign CSKA Moscow's Milos Krasic
Serb could be on his way to Eastlands after Juventus deal falls through...
The agent of CSKA Moscow star Milos Krasic has claimed Manchester City are now in the driving seat to sign his client after a potential move to Juventus fell through.
Juve had been odds on favourites to capture the Serbia international although with the Turin outfit on the verge of completing the signing of Catania's Jorge Martinez, Krasic's agent insists the Serie A giants are now out of the running for the talented midfielder.
"The deal with Juventus is closed," Vlado Borozan told Tuttomercatoweb.com. "After Martinez the Bianconeri cannot also bring in Krasic.
"Now the most likely club is Manchester City, even though the footballer has said he wants to play in Italy."
Krasic produced a stand-out performance at World Cup 2010 on Friday afternoon as Serbia claimed a surprise 1-0 victory over Germany.
The 25-year-old winger helped create the only goal of the game converted by Milan Jovanovic and has previously excelled in the Champions League last season for Russian club CSKA Moscow.
With Citizens' boss Roberto Mancini set to splash the cash this summer to improve his squad for a potential assault on the Premier League title, a move for Krasic now seems more than a realistic possibility.
more bollox shortly
