Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini puts an end to summer spending
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini confessed to finally cease City’s incredible spending spree for the summer. The manager’s statement came out following the arrival of England international, James Milner, who finally completed his move from Aston Villa, in a cash plus player deal. Manchester City paid in the region of 20 million pounds for Milner, plus Stephan Ireland, who joined Aston Villa in a cash plus player deal.
James Milner becomes the 6th signing of the season, becoming part of a star studded cast. Along with City’s last season spending spree, which saw the likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, and Kolo Toure joining the Eastlands. Milner sees himself alongside David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure and Aleksander Kolarov. All of these players joined Manchester City this season, making City one of the biggest threats in the Premier League.
While talking to local media, Mancini confirmed that Milner was perhaps his last signing of the summer. The manager praised the England international’s ability to play in almost every position in the midfield and his ability to easily feature on the wings.
Manchester City has been one of the most active clubs in the transfer window this season and has been the country’s biggest spenders by miles. This has led to Manchester United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, complaining about the “Kamikaze” approach in the transfer market, not naming City in specific although. Roberto Mancini commented on Ferguson’s statement, claiming that if a team requires some player, who would bolster the squad, cash would have to be spent. The manager added that he respected Ferguson’s comment, but argued that it has been Manchester United and not City, who have spent some heavy cash in the past.
The James Milner transfer saga finally came to a close on Wednesday, which commenced back in May following a 20 million pound bid being rejected by Villa from City. A deal had been done between the two clubs but was stalled by compensations demanded by Stephan Ireland. Ireland was an integral part of the deal, as he was to join Villa, in this player plus cash switch. The player demanded, a reported, 2 million pound compensation owing to his contract termination at City, on which he still had four more years. But the deal has been made official and the manager wished the former number 7 the best of luck.
Manchester City fans would have to wait till Monday to see James Milner in a light blue kit. As the midfielder is expected to watch rather than play City’s Europa league encounter with Timisoara. The player is, however, likely to feature against Liverpool on Monday. By that time, futures of forwards, Robinho and Santa Cruz, would also be sorted out as they are both not expected to be part of Mancini’s plans for the season.
Robinho was a huge flop following his record breaking 32.5 million pound signing from Real Madrid in 2008, which led to Mancini loaning out the player to Santos last January. Santa Cruz joined City in the previous year’s summer transfer window and was dropped from the Europa league squad to pave way for Mario Balotelli. Balotelli is expected to make a surprise debut against Timisoara, following his successful registration with UEFA in time for the game.
Manchester City has laid out some heavy cash this summer and now it’s time to deliver. The manager would be under mega pressure from the owners of the club, who now expect results. Six new extremely talented players have joined the club, which would give Roberto Mancini a lot of headaches over the squad selection. The men in blue failed to produce an impressive performance in the opening match of the season against the Spurs, as the team was dominated by Redknapp’s men. City host Liverpool next, and Mancini would be looking to secure wins if he expects to give the big boys a challenge for the coveted Premier League title.
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