Roberto Mancini gives all-clear for trio Shay Given, Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz to leave Manchester City
It is only natural that when a new manager takes over a club, he makes a number of new signings, and players that he inherited that do not feature in his plans are mostly let go. Same is the case at Manchester City, where former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has spent 130 million pounds and brought in a number of players from all across Europe. Now it’s time to offload some from the former regime. Three players have been given the signal by Mancini to look for other options. The players include former Newcastle keeper Shay Given, the Brazilian front man Robinho and Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz.
City’s Italian manager had earlier stated that he would look to let a few players go, and since he favoured Joe Hart over Shay Given in goal in the first Premier League match and the European encounter against FC Timisoara, it was obvious that Given was on his way out of the Eastlands.
Mancini said that even though he values the abilities and talents of Robinho and Santa Cruz, he would still not try to hold on to them if they want to leave.
There are number of clubs who are already lining up for Robinho. Turkish clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce and German club Schalke have been in touch with City to sign the Brazilian forward. Meanwhile, two clubs from London have been inquiring about Santa Cruz. Fulham and West Ham United have shown their interest in the Paraguayan striker. Both players have already expressed that they would not like to be fringe players and if a place in the starting 11 is not guaranteed for them, they would prefer to leave City.
Mancini, while talking to a British newspaper, said that Shay, Robinho and Santa Cruz are all good players and can contribute to the team as it is a long season. He added, though, that if they want to leave, it is their own choice and the club would facilitate their moves.
Roberto Mancini also said that Robinho’s future will be decided as soon as next week. He said that Shay Given is one of the best keepers in the English game, and would get his due chance. He went on to say that at this point, he cannot promise a first-team berth for him and he probably deserves one in some other team in the league. All these statements are indirect hints to all three players that their time at the Eastlands is up.
There are strong reports coming out of Fulham that Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is strongly pushing for a move out of Craven Cottage, and Fulham are looking to fill the void by signing Shay Given.
A spokesman speaking on behalf of Given said that he went to Manchester City to win trophies as he had not won anything for Newcastle in 10 years. He still wants to stay there and play, but Mancini seems to have made up his mind in favour of Joe Hart. He said that first-team football is necessary for Given if he is to retain his place in the Ireland national team.
Meanwhile, the manager for Ireland’s national team, Giovanni Trapattoni, has said that he has full confidence in Given. He added that Given is good enough to make the first team at Manchester City, but if he gets a better opportunity at some other club, he should take it.
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