Tottenham Hotspurs rivalry, Craig Bellamy saga and their massive expenditure plan - Part 2
Expert opinions have already been proven true when they predicted last summer that Manchester City was in for a big change this season and would be among the top teams in the season. Now they have predicted again that the club will reside in the top 4 positions, thwarting Tottenham out with humiliation. Their previous manager Mark Hughes has stated that he did the best he could with the club and if he had the kind of opportunity the 45-year-old Italian manager has, he would have made the club’s name shine in history.
Hughes was sacked two years back and even though under tough resources, he managed the club extremely well. Last year, the Eastlands proved that they were a rising power in English football. They lagged just a point behind 4th place Tottenham Hotspurs, who were able to enter the Champions League in their last match.
For Manchester City, it was an extremely close campaign which could result in them playing the Champions League. However, a few mistakes led them astray. However they must be wary of the problems that other clubs have faced in positions like them.
It is no secret that Chelsea’s rich Russian owner, Roman Abramovich likes to spend millions on his club. Their success is however marred by some dirt too. The Champions League has already threatened them with an exit from the tournament as their expenditures are far more than their income. They will enter the 2010/11 season after barely scratching the market in contrary to the previous seasons where they were making bids on all players. In time, Chelsea has gathered the best in the field and now they aren’t in a position where they can buy new players.
So far, Abramovich’s men haven’t made any major signings apart from Brazilian Ramires. Before this, Chelsea’s management had just signed Liverpool’s winger and midfielder Yossi Benayoun. But the EPL victors of the 2009/10 season have told that they are not worried about this fact as they have a very talented squad.
That might be true but their recent friendlies depicted a very different picture. They lost against Ajax and other mediocre teams that in no way can be compared to the level and expertise of the English teams. Their second squad in fact has been suffering from lack of exposure and experience.
There is another setback for the Blues. The Football Association is reinstating laws and Chelsea is falling short of another one. This time, it is the 8 compulsory English home bred players in a 25 man squad. So far, they are 6 men short and therefore need to make some major adjustments.
The Eastlands have to be aware of such a fate as that comprehends a success on the short run but disaster in the long run. Manchester City has got to resolve their transfer issues and do them fast as the August 31 is approaching rapidly which will signify closing of the transfer window.
What the Citizens will have to do is remove players like Bellamy from their line-up. They have already sparked a lot attention from the Tottenham Hotspurs and Celtic. The Wales-born forward has the unique ability to play brilliantly on forward positions and centre forward positions along with a winger. He has also been used an attacking midfielder last season.
The most likely outcome from this scenario will be that Celtic’s Neil Lennon will be the one who will get it his way while Hotspur’s Harry Redknapp would win the battle for nothing. He has to realize that the Manchester United-Manchester City deal over Tevez does not happen on every Friday.
The battle for the Welsh striker has only intensified with Fulham manager Mark Hughes coming into the fore a swell. Rumours have it that he is placing a heavy bid. Hughes has relayed that he has always had praise for the legendary player and has had nothing but admiration for him.
What Manchester City has to do is to get rid of the 13-player list they were talking about in the summers. Following that move, they will have a huge surplus in their budget to sign in new players before the season ends. With that money, they can buy 2 or 3 top notch world class players and that will ensure them a good position in the coming season. Next, they can add a couple of young home bred players in the squad and train them this season while allowing experts to handle the games on field and then introduce the youngsters in the coming season.
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