Man City Weekly Update – Gareth Barry, Tugay, Elano, Joe Hart
I return from my self-imposed blogging exile with news of an exciting new signing for the Blues, a possible new arrival on the management side, and two stories of imminent departures, one permanent and the other temporary. During the close season, I will be providing this weekly update with the most recent news from City, hopefully with some transfer activity and other general stories of interest. It would be of great help if you could give me some feedback at the end, and comment if you think anything could be improved as this is only a tester article.
This week kicks off with news of the first addition to the City squad during the transfer window, England international midfielder, Gareth Barry. This move took everyone by surprise, with the media only finding out about the transfer on Tuesday morning, before the deal was finalised after Barry completed a medical and agreed personal terms. The fee quoted for this deal is £12 million, which, considering the player was on the verge of joining Liverpool last summer for £18 million, and in today’s market, is a decent price for a player who has European experience, is a regular international and is one of the top midfielders in the country.
Barry already feels at home in a City shirt
City manager Mark Hughes promised that he would act quickly in the transfer window to tie up deals for his targets, but no-one expected the Blues to complete a deal this quickly. It represents a major coup for the Citizens, with rivals Aston Villa losing one of, in not the, best players at the club, whilst for the Blues, their squad has been considerably boosted with the addition of Barry. The 28 year old possess a virtue that Hughes admires greatly in a player: versatility, and it remains to be seen where the manager opts to deploy his new signing.
The likelihood is that Barry will slot in the centre of midfield to partner another fairly recent acquisition, Nigel de Jong. As a result of this, Vincent Kompany would drop into the back four, taking the place of captain Richard Dunne, whose relatively poor season could cost him dearly. But with Hughes expected to make more signings, this could all change, with another possibility being a 4-4-2 formation.
Barry is an accomplished England international, and should fit in well at Eastlands
On the arrival front, there have been strong rumours in the past couple of days that former Blackburn legend and Turkish (delight) international, Tugay Kerimoğlu will join the coaching staff. Obviously he is someone who is well-known to Mark Hughes, but it does seem to me a gamble to employ someone with no prior coaching experience. It must be noted that many of these rumours have originated from Tugay himself and he was quoted as saying, ‘I made an agreement with Manchester City and will work as a coach. To work there will be a huge step for me. When I feel strong enough, then I will begin to work as a technical director.”
Turning my thoughts now to possible departures from the club, Brazilian playmaker Elano Blumer has revealed that he has been in contact with Italian side Inter Milan, currently managed by the self-proclaimed ‘The Special One’, José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance from the midfielder, he has failed to perform in too many matches for my liking, and in addition, it is often said that Elano is a trouble-maker in the squad, so although I would be sad to see him go, it may be for the benefit of the team in general. Nothing official has been confirmed, but Elano was quoted earlier this week as saying, “There is an opened negotiation, I like Inter a lot. Sure, I’m bounded with a contract with Manchester City, but I hope Nerazzurri officials won’t stop facing to this – I would like to wear the Inter jersey. Mourinho’s great. His sides have always left a sign. And all the players who have played with him consider him a phenomenon. Inter have a big coach but also many great champions. I hope my friend Julio Cesar could spend a word in my favour.”
Elano could have played his last game for the Blues, with Inter Milan a potential destination
Finally this week, there is the news that promising young goalkeeper Joe Hart may be sent out on loan for a whole season, with both newly promoted Wolves and Birmingham strongly linked with his capture. This move would be very similar to those of Ben Foster and Scott Carson, sent by Man United and Liverpool respectively, to gain experience with another team. Personally, I think that any loan move would be beneficial to Hart as the former Shrewsbury keeper’s career has slightly stalled since the January arrival of Shay Given.
As previously stated, please give any feedback in your comments. It would be greatly appreciated.
How about at the back we get rid of Richards Richards because he’s really pretty shocking, move Onuoha to the right and keep Dunne in the centre with Richards. After Tevez takes Caicedo’s place they’ll both have more spare time to train for their showdown. Also, Tugay? Hasn’t he just made it up?
One thing you forgot to mention – do we know anything about Gelson’s future?
I would whole-heartedly agree with getting rid of Richards, but for me Onuoha isn’t a right-back. I would put Zabaleta there.
Tugay may have made it up, but it seem a posibility.
Hopefully with Barry coming, Gelson can go, because he’s not exactly going to displace the likes of SWP, Kompany, de Jong, Petrov, Ireland, Barry, Johnson, Robinho is he
not happy about barry coming in and taking johnsons shirt number
Good stuff Steven. I like the idea of a weekly update, I’ve drafted my first one too, but it comments on far more deals in far less deatial, it’s amazing how many players are rumoured with moves here, there and everywhere really.
You know what I think about you signing Barry, while I think you’re spot on about Elano. He can be great but he’s too inconsistent and if he’s a bad influence on the squad he’s got to go.
Barry is an unbelievable signing. The prospect of your midfield already with Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips and whoever else is frightening. As a Wolves fan, I’m not looking forward to playing you lot next season.
Nice job on pasting his head in as well, although I don’t think Gareth is quite that skinny.
Thanks a lot Football Shirts,
I agree that he is just what we need at the moment. For all the talk of Eto’o, Tevez , Kaka and whoever else, he is just the person we need. Add into that midfield, the likes of De Jong, Kompany, Johnson, Petrov and Robinho and it certainly looks good!!
As much as I would like to take credit for that picture, my technological competence is not that great, and in actual fact, the picture was from another website.
I wish you good luck next season, and it pains me to say it, but I think that you need a bit more than luck. From an outsiders point of view, your sqaud looks relatively threadbare, but with a few signings, you never know and I hope that you can stay up.
VJ – do you think I should more players with less detail? I can change this and could have included info on Sturridge and Edin Dzeko, but I preferred this method?!?
Well I’ve decided my policy on transfer blogging this summer. I’m going to do proper in-depth articles about anything that is looking like being confirmed whenever the news breaks, as I have done for Diao and Griffin, and then I’ll do a weekly round-up of all other stories and unsubstantiated rumours.
Perhaps you could do something similar but it’s up to you.
I ballsed up my assessment of City’s back four before with a lot of Richards-related typos. Kompany and Onuoha in the centre, Zabaleta on the right and someone new on the left – Bridge has been very underwhelming due to his general aversion to tackling. Oh for the days of crazy Thatcher
I think you’re forgetting the god that was Danny Tiatto
Barry is a fantastic signing, and to be honest I don’t really mind that he came for all the wrong reasons.
I hope Elano doesn’t go, but I can see the attraction of inter if they’re interested.
Who is Caicedo Vs Richards Showdown – Get Darren Moore in as well? I found comment 9 most amusing!
I think this knd of article will be very good, Steven, to keep me up to date with our transfer news if for nothing else! Keep up the good work!
The person in question for comment 9 is Welsh Matt Jones.
After your gushing praise, I think I will continue with this kind of article. I enjoyed doing it. I hope it came across in a more realxed style than usual.
Having been selected for the seconds tomorrow, thus rendering my comparison to Berti untrue, I will be playing at school, and with the game finishing about 4/4.30, I might be able to take you to the concert. After we finish, I will text you to see where you are, but if you are too far away, then I’m afraid we can’t wait, sorry.
Write back on here just to confirm you’ve got the message, otherwise I’ll text you in the morning.
2nds! Get you!
p.s what did you think of the Lancs game? I saw Ricky, Will Adam and Oli Tee and tried to call you but it gave my just a prolonged ‘beeeep’ so sorry about that? Where did you sit, I looked but to no avail?
p.s Tevez signing i think soon, followed by Alonso
Just my luck, I finally get picked for the team and it will be called off for rain!!!
In the end, I didn’t go to Lancs. The guy who was gonna give me a lift left at 4!!!! So I would have been too late. Sounds as if Smudge bowled well! Personally, I’d drop Chilton, get in Loye and push Smith down the order.
By the way, is there any point in continuing with this idea?
Smudge? Who the hell is that?!
Chilly is good, keep him in! He’s settled, the team is settled and the team is winning, so why change it? Smith batted insanely well! His 6 slog sweep would rival that of Loye!
Smudge is Smith, and I meant to say that he played well!
Thanks for the offer Steven but as I’m pretty sure the game will be off 2moz I’ll just drive myself to the gig in my own time. But thanks!