Today sees the Lazio president Claudio Lotito confirm the signing of Javier Garrido rather quicker than he released Aleksandar Kolarov. The Spanish left-back is due to replace Kolarov at Lazio for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £2m. This gives us a rare transfer profit with the player having been signed for £1.5m from Real Socieda
Archive for July, 2010
Sven v Mark Hughes – Who’s the best?
29th July 2010
With Mark Hughes having pipped Sven Goran Eriksson the post of Fulham manager, most people appear to believe the Cottagers are doing the right thing. Is this the case?
Having watched both try (and fail) to match the expectations at City, the case for Hughes over Sven is more debatable. They’re completely contrasting figures with the elderly urbane european perspective of Sven opposed by the more abrasive Brit manager.
City transfer talk: 28 July – Jo and Santa Cruz linked with exits
28th July 2010
With other teams looking to form their squads for the new season, today brings fresh interest in two strikers who are likely to leave City this Summer.
First we find Jo linked with Blackburn. Big Sam likes a big striker, but Jo is hardly your archetypal target man. Maybe Allardyce believes he can shape Jo’s potential into something more solid and suitable for the Premier League. One thing’s for sure, the shrewd Allardyce won’t be paying the kind of sums Blackburn charged us for Roque Santa Cruz.
Possible squad for 2010/11 (update 3)
27th July 2010
Many people are finally cottoning on to the idea that this transfer window is about shaping a 25 man senior squad, and not just about having a strong first choice eleven.
As a consequence the past couple of days have seen increased speculation about the futures of Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland in particular. Yet it’s still possible for them both to make the squad even with the new players coming in.
City outgoing transfer talk: 26 July – will Ireland make 25 man squad?
26th July 2010
Much is being made in the press of Stephen Ireland’s future, however the player himself has stated his desire to stay till Christmas and see how it goes.
City incoming transfer talk: 26 July – More Torres talk, Balotelli more likely
26th July 2010
Speaking in America, Roberto Mancini again raised the idea of City signing Fernando Torres. With Liverpool officials still trying to convince El Nino to remain on Merseyside, Mancini’s words were interestingly timed.
City transfer talk: 21 July – Negotiations with Balotelli’s agent
21st July 2010
Chris Wheeler at the Mail claims that City have agreed a £23m fee plus performance related bonuses for Mario Balotelli. This would be a better price than many we have seen reported elsewhere.
Unfortunately City now have to deal with Mino Raiola, the agent for Balotelli (and Ibrahimovic), who is not considered the easiest to negotiate with.
City transfer talk: 20 July – Kolarov set to be announced
20th July 2010
The big news today looks like a deal for Aleksandar Kolarov finally being announced. Il Corriere dello Sport report that a fee of 18 million euros has been agreed, with Lazio having secured a replacement in the form of Luca Antonelli. They go on to say Kolarov is set to link up with the City squad in America on Thursday or Friday.
Unlike our other Summer signings, Kolarov is not a clear A-list player and it will be interesting to see how he fares. His thunderous shot may look good on YouTube, but a couple of mediocre perforamances for Serbia in the World Cup saw him dropped for the final group game.
City transfer talk: 19 July – Deadline for Kolarov while negotiations continue for Balotelli
19th July 2010
Football Italia report that Mario Balotelli will not jeopardise his relationship with Inter by asking for a move. Not that he’s had any qualms about upsetting them in the past. Throwing his shirt to the floor at the end of a Champions League game was hardly a crowd pleaser.
Il Corriere dello Sport say the 19-year-old will train today, but wouldn’t be against a move. They’re under the impression that negotiations are set to continue with City willing to up their initial offer.
Portland Timbers 0 Manchester City 3
18th July 2010
City began pre-season with a 3-0 victory against a competitive Portland Timbers, who were given plenty of backing by an enthusiastic 5,000 sell-out crowd.
Ireland and Adebayor grabbed a goal each shortly before half-time. Both came courtesy of crosses by Adam Johnson. City changed everyone except Cunningham at half-time and managed a third courtesy of the inimatble Jo.
