Mancini: Given won't be cheap
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says the club will not let Shay Given leave on the cheap in January.
Joe Hart has started the season as City's number one and Given has admitted he may have to leave the club in January to get first team football. However, Mancini has said that any club interested in the
goalkeeper has to match City's asking price.
The Italian has also left the door open for Given to stay at the club. Given would walk straight into the Manchester City team if Hart picked up an injury or was suspended for a number of games.
Given is a quality goalkeeper and there are many reasons why he would justify a big price tag. However, the club may be forced to meet another team half way to prevent Given from feeling annoyed at City
making any move difficult.
First class 'keeper
Given has a large amount of experience, which makes him one of the most effective goalkeepers in the game. He's played 50 times for Manchester City and made 354 appearances at his former club Newcastle
United.
This has increased his positional awareness in goal and he is able to get into better positions to save the ball. This awareness gives him a better idea of when to come out of goal to catch the ball. He
knows how to effectively martial a defence when his side is under intense pressure.
Given is just as quick and agile as he was when he joined Blackburn Rovers back in 1994. He still pulls off brilliant saves that are able to keep his team in tight matches for longer.
Mancini said: "I don't want to create another situation like on Sunday when I said that Shay can leave the club if
he wants to leave the club. We have a good option because Shay is an important player and he will cost a lot of money for another club."
Future problems
The problem Manchester City faces is having a quality player and not being able to play him. This will not do any good for Given or Manchester City and will only results
in parties becoming alienated from each other.
The club will have an asking price for Given in mind. However, the club may have to budge on this price in order to offload the 'keeper as another club will point out Given's
age as a primary concern and the fact his playing career may shortly end.
Another strong possibility is a loan deal in January to another club. However, this would be a temporary measure and would not address the issue of Given's place at Manchester
City. He would still return and face the problem of not being number one at the club.
Mancini added: "I don't know, it depends on him [if Given wants to leave].
If he stays, for me it is OK and Shay knows the situation."
Betting advice
Given will make any team look and play much better. He is a very good goalkeeper and makes numerous saves in matches at all levels. This means the side he is playing for
is likely to lose fewer matches.
Have confidence in Manchester City regardless. Given will come in if Hart gets an injury but both goalkeepers keep the defence organised and ease pressure on the rest of
the team.
Manchester City looks good with Joe Hart in goal. Hart has a lot of ambition and is playing well. Back the club to win Champions League football by the end of the season.
Don't be afraid of having a punt on City winning any game.
Tags: