New transfer window, new thread. Hughes has been rumored to have been given a $250M transfer budget, but he's not going to be held for ransom IMO. In's: Aguero - $40M Tevez - $30M Veloso - $20M Chiellini - $20M Those would be my targets. A two-way midfielder wouldn't go astray. Maybe Javi Martinez or Claudio Marchisio.
As long as he fits in our system, Barry will be a great buy. Strong, confident, talented player who is proven at this level, has guided Aston Villa on the field, and has captained England. He'd a good replacement for Elano - not the best midfielder in the world, but one proven at this level and who will get on with it unlike the mercenary Brazilians. He could be a good replacement captain for Dunne too.
Elano is definitely gone now methinks... Maybe Ireland plays in the hole behind the striker with Barry in the middle, De Jong holding, SWP right and Robinho left -- Kompany moves to centre-half with Ned, Bridge and Zab as the fullbacks... Very interesting.
I agree, though I think Richards will go back to the right, where I think he is best, anyway. Wouldn't mind putting in a bid for Albiol to shore up the center. Valencia may not be willing to give him up, though. Here's my dream: ------------------------- Tevez --------------- ------------ Bojinov/Bellamy ------------------- Robinho ---------------------------------- SWP ------------------- Ireland -------------------- ------------------ De Jong -------------------- Zab ----- Kompany -------- Albiol ----- Richards I am trying to decide where Barry would really fit in to Hughes past tactics... seems a little strange, other than the fact that he is a no nonsense workhorse.
Veloso is not worth close to 20 mil, hes a cancer in the locker room and a primadona, believe me. He does have an upside and may just need to get out of Portugal. Bolton is rumored to be interested in him for 6 mil. http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer...s-6m-swoop-for-sporting-lisbons-miguel-veloso
According to City's website Garreth Barry has penned the deal for 12 million. Again, our formation has to change with his signature and other coming... unless, of course, other players we are not considering are being sold off in the summer. We shall see.
You are probably right about Richards returning to right back -- he has all the physical gifts but loses focus alot. Wonder how Zab would feel about being on the bench -- Bridge is being paid waaayyyy too much not to start at LB. There are definitely some sales that we have not thought about that are going to happen. Since my last post, I have been thinking about Petrov -- he may be sold along with Elano. Really cannot wait to see about Jo - started off with Everton with a bang but definitely ended with a whimper. If a big striker gets signed (6' 2" or taller), then we will have our answer.
Petrov is getting older, as well, and after the injury may have his best days behind him. I imagine Caicedo and Etuhu may be shipped out as well. Bojinov is a bit more difficult to predict--he has so much potential and has flashes of brillance when given his chances. But, he has been more a liability to the club these last two years and Hughes and the Board may believe they can get a better value elsewhere. Schmeichel and/or Hart may be off, along with Ben Haim, Dunne, Ball, Mills, Hamann, Benjani, and Vassell. Come to think of it, may be easier just to count the bricks that are left. My list of definites stays: Given Bridge Richards Onouha De Jong Kompany Ireland Barry (that was strange to type) SWP Robinho (though I feel like I may be wrong here) Bellamy That's just enough to field an actual side with position discpline and a decent chance of success. What do you lads say?
Zé Roberto ( leaving Bayern) in his farewell interview saying that Manchester City is interested to sign him, as City wants to achieve an international spot next season..'and want me to help the club'. Decision next days: http://www.tz-online.de/sport/fussball/fc-bayern/tz-ze-roberto-verlaesst-den-fc-bayern-332271.html
Well Ze Roberto also said he wanted to come to MLS.... As for Barry - a good signing. We now have a player with experience in the league and the value appears to be the same as what others would pay for him so we didnt overpay. I think he will be a great fit. I'll prob buy his # for next years kit
To me, it has to be 4-4-2 at this point: ----------------------Striker----------- ---------Robinho----------------------- --Barry--------Ireland-----------SWP-- ---------------De Jong----------------- Bridge----Kompany-----TBD------Richards -------------Given---------------------- I think Barry was absolutley required to help with the midfield battles. You can't play a 4-4-2 with Robinho and SWP as your wingers and expect to control much of anything in the Premiership. Also you'd see Bridge much more aggressive getting forward in the above formation as Barry would look to pinch in with SWP and Bridge would provide the width; almost transforming to a 3-5-2 in the attacking zone. Bellamy would be the presumptive starter at striker but you'd hope for (and expect given Hughes' war chest) an upgrade so that he could rotate in either of the top two positions. Personally, I think Villa is a MUCH better fit then Tevez. I just can't see Tevez and Robinho in the same team given the tendancy for Tevez to check back to midfield. City needs someone to lead the line not another withdrawn striker.
Well, my dream line-up was prior to the Barry signing. And Robinho and SWP did play, functionally, as our wingers for most of last season. SWP was dominant in nearly every match he participated in and Robinho's drop in form was not a product of his position but his mindest and work rate. Robbie scored most of his goals from a winger-like position as well. And I just can't see Barry playing as winger, unless you mean a tight LM-CM-RM midfield. Watch his matches at AV, he is not striding midfielder, he is a maestro. I also feel that Bridge was found wanting, so I am not convinced he will be the starting leftback. His crossing--as many Chelsea supporters warned as at the time of his signing--is not quite as good as we would hope. Also, how many matches have you seen where Tevez played? I ask, because of the many, many I have seen this season, I think I can recall Tevez checking back to midfield perhaps two or three times. He is a frantic dribbler and his instinct is nearly always to take on the man nearest to him or give-and-go with an onrushing attacker. I think, of all the labels that could be given to Tevez, it would not be "withdrawn striker." I agree with your other selections, though. But with the Barry transfer, I think my, yours, and everyone's line-up is very premature now. Hughes has plans. And none of us even remotely understand them yet I am willing to wager.
Well as long as he builds a line up of hard working players that have a desire to win I think everything will be fine. Barry is that kinda of guy and having him patrolling our midfield will be great.
I think Hughes would keep Zabaleta being that he was one of Hughes' buys in the past season and had a number of good performances. And his ability to play both on defense and midfield copetently is a plus.
Gareth Barry, I'll take him! I wonder if were out of the tevez sweepstakes now.. Great signing. Villa fans are very upset..
Exactly. He's a top pro who can bring some order and PL experience to the City midfield, freeing up the more creative ireland. Great signing IMO Thats what i think will happen, but it all depends on who else comes in. x3
Yes, the fans are upset. However, let's look at it from Barry's perspective. Yes, he is going from Europa to no European competitions at all, but it might not be a bad thing as World Cup is next year and he might not want to burn himself out before then, so not playing as many games might do him a favor. Sure, the extra 40,000 pound a week (from 60k/week to 100k/week) was a decision factor, but let's be honest, it wasn't like Aston Villa was destined to win the Europa anyways. I'm sure with Barry, AV would have gone to at least the round of 16 or better, but the club would need to sign at least another 2 good players before it can think about winning the entire thing. By the round of 8, you're playing some very tough teams. Barry's probably thinkg about City's deep pockets to sign big names and challenge the big four, and who can blame him for wanting to be a part of that? If he decided to go to Liverpool or any of the big four clubs, he'll be on the bench half the time because there's just too many great players on those teams. On the City squad, he's a regular. No one will remember Barry on the big four because there's just too many names overshadowing him. On City, he will be looked up to. Can I say he is all about greed? Absolutely not. Can I say money was a factor? For sure. However, let's not fool ourselves here, he wants to win and he wants to do it with a club that has a bright future.
Absolutely CFF. It's definately about more than the money, even if that is a factor. BTW, theres rumours on other forums i visit from reliable posters who have said Tevez is a 99% done deal. Samuel Eto-o is also rumoured for $20M+ How good would a strikeforce be of .. - Eto-o - - Robinho - Tevez - Also, i think Elano's pretty much gone. Whinged for the last time. Albiet, we hve an even better opportunity to replace him, Wesley Sniejder (sp?) has become avaliable (apparently) from Real Madrid. He is the kind of player Elano could be if he performed to his best every single match. Wonderful player, please make it happen Hughes
Yeah, supposedly they're selling all their "Little Holland" players except maybe Huntelaar. This has to be the rumor of all rumors City and Fiorentina after "Little Maradona"