Manchester City News: Joe Hart and Emmanuel Adebayor likely to stay at the Eastlands
Manchester City is considered to be the world’s richest football club, since its takeover by the Abu Dhabi group in 2008. The club has bought some of the most exciting talent available in Europe and looks to dethrone the ‘Big Four’ in the league.
The club published some news regarding the Togolese striker on Twitter (a social networking site). The official statement read that Manchester City is not planning to sell off the striker and he would be awarded with number 9 shirt in the coming season. The 26 year old striker has been constantly linked with a number of clubs; the most noted one to be Italian Giants Juventus. According to a report in Tuttosport, the striker made a ‘come-and-get-me’ plea to the Italian club. While talking to the newspaper, Adebayor praised the club, stating that he would want to play in it. The striker added that a few weeks ago, he wouldn’t have wanted to play in any other club apart from Manchester City, and wanted to have a better season than the previous one. However, Emmanuel claimed that he doesn’t expect many opportunities to come his way in City for the coming season, and is therefore considering offers from various other clubs.
Adebayor joined the Eastlands following a controversial 25 million pound transfer from North London club Arsenal. The player was impressive at his time with the Gunners, scoring 62 goals in 143 appearances. His impressive form led to the high spending Manchester City paying 25 million pounds for the player. The striker has made 31 appearances since joining the Eastlands, scoring 14 goals. Adebayor is expected to be a part of manager Roberto Mancini’s plans for the coming season, which is evident from the strong statement issued by the club. Adebayor, along with Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez form a formidable partnership up front and were the mainstay behind City’s 5th place finish in the league.
Manchester City have bought four new players this season, which would mean that there are fewer opportunities for other players. City has also been constantly linked with Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli, which would mean that Adebayor would have to be compromised to make room for the 19 year old.
Meanwhile, manager Roberto Mancini is expected to reject an offer for the goalkeeper Joe Hart. Hart had an impressive season with Birmingham City on loan last year and managed 7 straight clean sheets in the Premier League. The 23 year old was thus included into the England’s National side, but couldn’t play a single match. The keeper was nominated in the PFA Young Player of the Year award, where he lost to James Milner. However, Joe Hart was the first choice keeper in the PFA Team of the Year. The young shot stopper has returned to training with Manchester City and looks to battle for the number one jersey with Shay Given.
Hart, however, admitted that if he doesn’t get a regular spot for City, he would consider a loan move to another club. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce sprung into action and held talks with Manchester City over the loan move. Black Cats’ first choice keeper, Craig Gordon, is expected to miss the start of the season owing to a wrist fracture.
"We've asked the question of City and we now just have to wait and see what they say,” claimed Sunderland manager Steve Bruce. The deal is, however, to be rejected by Mancini, who maintains the fact that Hart has a key role to play for the club in the coming season. Hart made some 161 saves last season for Birmingham City and was one of the major reasons behind their 9th place finish in the Premier League. Manchester City kick off their season when they play against Tottenham Hotspur. City are the 3rd favourites of winning the Premier League title season, and breaking into the top four is the minimum criteria for manager Roberto Mancini.
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