~ Prithwish Deb
Over the years the Blue side of Manchester had always lived under the shadow of its high profile rival Manchester United. Everything changed in the summer of 2008 when they were purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group headed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, making the club one of the most financially powerful in the world.
What followed was a series of high profile signings, starting with Robinho (which broke the British transfer record), in the summer of 2009 City spent over 100 million pounds with the signing of players like Carlos Tevez, Emanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure and Roque Santa Cruz.
In December 2009, City signed Roberto Mancini after Mark Hughes was sacked following some disappointing results, he also spilled the cash in the winter transfer window and bought Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira, but all those big deals couldn’t find them a place in the Champions League. So this summer they were expected to spend more and make a real challenge for the Premier League Title.
Confident Manchini:
Roberto Mancini has been fairly confident with the cash he has been able to spend and went to the extent of saying the other ‘big’ clubs are scared of City’s spending spree. The media has linked almost every other player with Manchester City which shows what money can do to a club’s fortune.
Mancini has an embarassment of riches in his squad
This season Man City have so far completed the transfer of Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov and a host of other players are being linked to them.
Confirmed Player Transfers
Out :
Benjani Mwaruwari – The Zimbabwean international’s contract expired.
Martin Petrov – After the arrivals of some high profile signings Man City didn`t extend the contract of Petrov and he was released for free. He subsequently joined Bolton Wanderers.
Sylvinho – Currently without a club after his One year contract with City ended.
Valeri Bojinov – Having spent the last year at Parma on loan from City, Parma decided to sign him permanently for a 5 year deal.
In :
Jerome Boateng – German international Boateng moved to the Eastlands for 10.4 million pounds on a five-year deal from Hamburg.
Yaya Toure – After a lot of negotiation between Yaya`s agent and Man City, Barcelona decided to sell their No.24 to City for a deal rumoured to be around 24 million pounds. Yaya joined his brother Kolo at City and has since revealed that it was his ‘dream’ to play for Manchester City.
Silva in action for Valencia
David Silva – Spending his entire career in Spain, Silva decided it was time for him to move to the unknown territory. City was always monitoring Silva`s position at Valencia and struck a deal of 25million pounds with them.
Aleksandar Kolarov – Known for his long range goals, the left-back signed from Lazio in a deal worth 16 million pounds.
Kolarov (left) is coming off a brilliant season in Serie A
Rumoured In :
James Milner – As this article is being written it is believed that Milner is having discussions with Villa over his future. Milner has made up his mind on leaving Villa and it wouldn`t be a bad idea for Martin O Neil to sell him as City are ready to pay a huge sum for the Englishman.
THT Verdict: High
Fernando Torres – Ever since Liverpool missed out on Champion`s League place he has been linked with heavyweights like Barcelona, Chelsea, Inter Milan and City have now joined the race with Mancini revealing that they are planning a massive 70 million pound bid on Torres. Talk of crazy, crazy money.
THT Verdict: Medium
Mario Balotelli – Balotelli has long been linked with a move to Manchester City and a reunion with his former boss looks to be on the cards as City are ready to pay 30 million pounds for Super Mario.
THT Verdict: High
Will Italy’s problem child move to England?
Edin Dzeko – Rumours are, if City fails to land either of Balotelli or Torres they might look to bring in Dzeko with a cash plus Santa Cruz on offer to Wolfsburg.
THT Verdict: Medium
Ramires – Ramires was impressive for Brazil in the World Cup and both Chelsea and Man City are looking for his signature, but it is believed Ramires has decided to snub City in favour of Premier League Champions.
THT Verdict: Low
Rumoured Out :
Craig Bellamy – With the likes of Adebayor, Tevez being preferred to him and more strikers likely to join City before the transfer window closes, the fiery Welshman’s future looks uncertain. Tottenham are closely monitoring his situation and is likely to make a move for Bellamy.
THT Verdict: Medium
Bellamy had some good moments in the City shirt
Stephen Ireland – Ireland has been playing for City since he was 15 yrs old, now at 23 coach Mancini has told him to look for a new club as he no longer features in his plan. Aston Villa, Fulham are rumoured to be interested in him. Looks more likely he will move to Villa with Milner moving in opposite direction.
THT Verdict: High
Nedum Onuoha – A Manchester City Youth academy product whose career has been hampered with injuries looks likely to move to a new club with Sunderalnd, Aston Villa and Everton looking for his signature.
THT Verdict: High
Robinho – The player whose signing broke the British transfer record but since then hasn`t been able to settle down in England. He looks likely to move out after spending the latter half of the season on loan at Santos and is likely to make the deal permanent and move to Brazil. AC Milan and Shakhtar Doentsk are also looking for his signature.
THT Verdict: High
Wayne Bridge – With the signing of Kolarov, Bridge is all set and likely to warm the bench at the City of Manchester Stadium. Rumours indicate that Roy Hodgson is looking to add Bridge at Anfield, as Liverpool need players at left back. With a guaranteed starting spot and a club in the stature of Liverpool it will tough for Wayne to say no.
THT Verdict: Medium
Other Likely Loan deals :
With premier league deciding on the rule of 25-man squad limit Manchester City will have to cut down their squad strength with players like Shaun Wright Phillips, Jo, Michael Johnson, Caicedo are all likely to be sent on loan.
With such a massive transfer kitty and a collection such big high profile players, anything but the Premier League Trophy would be called a very poor season.