Premier League News: Manchester City in trouble; has to axe at least 13 players from its squad
Manchester City has quickly established itself as one of the big clubs in Europe in a very short span of time. It has made a reputation of having the finances to buy almost any player interested in joining the club, and boasts one of the most star-studded squads of Europe. Since the Abu Dhabi Group bought the club back in 2008, City has been the field of many top players in Europe. City has already bought Robinho, Gareth Barry, Santa Cruz, the Toure brothers (Yaya and Kolo), Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott and David Silva among others, who are truly top quality players. Each of these players has been playing top level football in their respective clubs, and most of them have featured regularly in the Champions League. Yaya Toure was part of the Barcelona squad when they won a never seen before sextuple of titles in the 2008-09 season. Owing to these signings, Manchester City reached new heights, finishing their best ever 5th place finish in the league (2009-10). This has paved the way for a chance to play in the Europa League, and City have proven themselves to be a side not to be taken lightly. City would be aiming for the league title next season, according to the highly decorated manager, Roberto Mancini.
The FA have issued new rules regarding all Premier League clubs, whereby each club would be allowed only 25 players in the squad, with eight of them being “home-grown” players. Manchester City can therefore not escape the rules set by the FA, and have to face the music. They will have to sell atleast 13 players from their current squad, in order to reach 25. Out of the 25, they need 8 home-grown players; however, that is one news which Manchester City isn’t concerned about.
What’s troubling the club would be the potential new signings Mancini aims for the club, which would greatly reduce the current squad. Mancini was given a goal of spending an overwhelming 100 million pounds by the end of the summer, and has already spent 75 million pounds on signing four players. David Silva, Jerome Boateng, Aleksandar Kolarov and Yaya Toure have all joined the Eastlands this summer, and Mancini is still looking for more. Originally, Manchester City is to sell at least twelve players, but owing to a reported agreement between Inter Milan and Manchester City over Mario Balotelli, City now have to sell 13. The more players they add, the more they have to downsize. This would mean that many of the players, who would be waiting for opportunities at the club, would need to look elsewhere, as Mancini will most probably keep only the bare minimum of 8 home-grown players out of 25.
Roberto Mancini stated that he is aware of the situation and needs to sell some set amount of players within the next 20 days. City manager confessed that the players may well have to find employment elsewhere, and it would be difficult for them to play for City. Mancini was aware of the fact that his club would have to play in at least four competitions this season, and would need 25 members for that. The 30.5 million pound flop Robinho would be one of the few players who will be leaving the side this summer, as he wishes to remain with his native club Santos. There have been no other speculations regarding any players. If, however, Mancini is not able to sell off the 13 players, he would have to either send them on loan or make the players sit around till the winter transfer window opens.
Manchester City has been hugely linked with signing Aston Villa star James Milner, who has voiced his opinion of joining the Eastlands. This would take the number to 14 players needed to be sold off. Mancini also fancies Liverpool striker Fernando Torres (though the club has not registered an interest, in official terms); however, Mancini needs to decide whether he is willing to pay a huge amount (70 million pounds, Liverpool’s valuation for Torres) for the striker.
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