Manchester City Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours

monkey9

Just heard breaking news on Newstalk, Man City have agreed to transfer Shaun Wright-Phillips to Madonna!

Xavi6

I heard that about ten times yesterday and still don't get it

Pighead

Xavi6 wrote: »

I heard that about ten times yesterday and still don't get it

Madonna is in the business of adopting young looking black kids. She's over in Zambia right this minute looking for another one. Guess they're trying to say that SWP looks like a little black African kid.

Xavi6

Ahhhhh so it's racialist? I see.

Pighead

Xavi6 wrote: »

Ahhhhh so it's racialist? I see.

Racialist? How?! It's appearancilist* if anything. If Madonna was into adopting kids that looked like aliens then Iain Dowie would probably be the butt of the joke.

*May not be an actual word.

Mgoraf

According to a report in The Liverpool Daily Post, Manchester City have targeted an end-of-season swoop for Everton duo Mikel Arteta and Joleon Lescott.

As Toffees manager David Moyes is likely to want to keep the pair, the Citizens are apparently prepared to offer as much as £25 million plus Brazilian forward Jo in order to complete the deal.

However, it is claimed that the Merseyside outfit will turn down any approach as they believe both players to be absolutely key to the club's continued progress.

Spanish midfielder Arteta, who is currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury and may not be fit in time to return to action at the start of next season, had been in great form this season, scoring seven goals in 31 games.

Meanwhile, versatile defender Lescott, who can play in either the centre of the rearguard or as a full-back, was recently recalled to the England squad having been left out for the friendly against Spain in February.

bigstar

id take arteta anyday.
looks like johnson might be on his way back before the end of the season, i wonder how he'll be. petrov on the comeback trail too, i hope they pick where they left off.

Xavi6

bigstar wrote: »

id take arteta anyday.
looks like johnson might be on his way back before the end of the season, i wonder how he'll be. petrov on the comeback trail too, i hope they pick where they left off.

Fat

Mgoraf

Would Johnson get straigth back into the team...? Ireland has been great, Johnson been linked with a move away before, think he could be sold on?

Xavi6

http://www.dallascup.com

Boy Blues tackle Milan next

31/03/2009 13:00

CITY'S young stars will head out to the United States on Friday morning to record another major milestone for the club's world-renowned Academy in the wake of April's deserved FA Youth Cup triumph.

The Boy Blues have been invited to the prestigious Dallas Tournament in Texas on the strength of that Youth Cup victory over Chelsea and will kick off on Sunday against the cream of the Italian crop from AC Milan.

Jim Cassell's youngsters, who have never before played in what has become one of the world's top youth tournaments, will follow that Group A appetiser with games against Toronto and the leading Mexican club Tigres.

The potential opposition in the semi-finals is no less daunting. Group B is headed by Brazilian holders Sao Paulo and also incudes Eintracht Frankfurt, while Group C boasts River Plate of Argentina and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Academy manager Cassell said: "It's an honour for us to be invited to such a prestigious tournament. The age group is Under-19 but we'll take a younger squad to give them experience. It will help to educate the younger ones about playing against foreign opposition."

City will play five games in Dallas whether or not they reach the final, which is expected to be staged in front of a 20,000 crowd, and will return to Manchester on April 14th, eight days before their FA Youth Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal, who lead 2-1.

Squad to travel: Abdi Ibrahim, James Poole, Jeremy Helan, Andrew Mitchell, John Guidetti, Joe Clegg, Tobias Johansen, Reece Wabara, Andrew Tutte, Robbie Mak, Alex Nimely-Tchineni, Greg Cunningham, Chris Chantler, Ahmad Benali, Jack Redshaw, Sean Tse, Dedryk Boyata, Omar Elabdellaoui.

First game was yesterday and we hockeyed Milan 4-0. Robbie Mak scored a brace while Alex Nimely and James Poole grabbed a goal apiece.

redout

Premier League - Robinho cleared of sexual assault

Manchester City striker Robinho will not face police charges following allegations of a serious sexual assault made in January.

The Brazil international attended a pre-arranged interview with West Yorkshire Police following the allegations and answered questions relating to an alleged incident at Space nightclub in Leeds. He strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police said: "Following a report of a serious sexual assault that occurred at a nightclub in Leeds on January 14, 2009, the matter was investigated and a man was arrested and released on police bail.

"A file was submitted to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) who decided that no further action should be taken."

Robinho's advisor, Chris Nathaniel of NVA Management, has issued a statement thanking City for their support.

"I am pleased to announce that Robson de Souza (Robinho) has been cleared of all allegations of rape," he said in a statement.

"He has maintained his innocence throughout the police interview process and I am delighted that no further action will be taken.

"Robinho is a hard-working family man, who is extremely passionate about football. He now wishes to focus his attention on Manchester City to help create a successful end to the season.

"Robinho will be making an official statement at a later date, in the mean time he wants to pass on his sincere thanks to all his family, friends, fans and Manchester City colleagues who have supported him through this terrible ordeal."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06042009/58/premier-league-robinho-cleared-sexual-assault.html

Xavi6

http://www.manchestercity.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=150351

Manchester City Kids Comeback

After their excellent performance against Italian giants AC Milan, City were looking to build on their success with another victory in the Dallas Cup.

City's second match in the space of 17 hours ago kicked off at 2pm Texas time in extremely windy conditions.

Cassell's young blues side could not have got off to a worst start as Tigres took the lead after 15 mins. By half-time they had a commanding 2-0 lead and the result looked ominous.

After half-time, with the wind now behind them, City set about the momentus task of overturning Tigres' two goal lead.

On the hour mark, Liberian wonder-kid Alex Nimely-Tchineni added to his goal tally after scoring from an acute angle to beat the keeper. The 'City Kids Comeback' was on.

With only 17 minutes left on the clock, Greg Cunninghams header drew City level as the Blues pushed on for the winner.

Keiran Trippier sealed the win with a long free-kick that flew over the keeper and into the back of the net- with a little help from the wind. The 'City Kids Comeback' was complete. Manchester City 3-2 Tigres.

Tigres launched a final push for an equaliser but a resolute City defence held firm to take the three points and a memorable win.

The other game in Bracket A saw AC Milan suffer their second defeat, this time at the hands of Toronto FC who beat them convincingly 3-0.

City have their final group game against the impressive Toronto FC on Wednesday afternoon and are now only one point away from the quarter-finals.

Manchester City Squad: Abdi Ibrahim, James Poole, Jeremy Helan, Andrew Mitchell, John Guidetti, Joe Clegg, Tobias Johansen, Reece Wabara, Andrew Tutte, Robbie Mak, Alex Nimely-Tchineni, Greg Cunningham, Chris Chantler, Ahmad Benali, Jack Redshaw, Sean Tse, Dedryk Boyata, Omar Elabdellaoui.

More good news from the fantastic academy.

redout

I keep reading in the papers, internet etc. that Daniel Sturridge keeps demanding a better contract and ludicrous sums of money or else he will be off. Depending on what you read I have seen between £30,000 and £60,000 per week mentioned. Now what exactly has Sturridge done to command such wages ? even £30,000 seems far to much for a young player who has only ever played about 20 games for the club. This would be like Rafael at United demanding such wages after the games he has played this season. It seems ludicrous and how City are even considering offering him such amounts of money seems baffling.

Xavi6

Yeah but he is that good though.

Xavi6

From MCFC.co.uk -

JIM CASSELL'S FA Youth Cup holders made it three wins out of three in the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament to storm into Friday's semi-finals with a resounding 4-0 victory over spirited Canadians Toronto.

City danger men Robbie Mak and Alex Nimely claimed two goals each in a one-way second half after Toronto had created their best chances before the break only to find goalkeeper Joe Clegg in outstanding form.

The Boy Blues will now face either Sao Paulo or Eintracht Frankfurt in the last four after topping supergroup A with 11 goals and maximum points following earlier victories over AC Milan by 4-0 and Mexican side Tigres 3-2.

Keiran Trippier, tipped by many as a future first-team star, was not for the first time the best player on the pitch, but it was the eager strike partnership of Mak and Nimely that left the Toronto defence in tatters.

Slovak-born Mak set the ball rolling with an outstanding solo goal, beating the right-back before drawing the keeper and slotting his shot low into the bottom corner. Then he made the second for Nimely after leaving the Canadian centre-backs in his wake.

Mak made the pair look out of their depth once more before curling City's third beyond the hapless keeper, then in the dying minutes Nimely rounded off a satisfying victory with a routine fourth goal.

monkey9

Mark Hughes really feeling the heat after that Fulham defeat. I can't see him being manager there next season. It was always going to be tough for him after the Arabs took over, that really wasn't the job he'd signed up for and is probably a bit out of his depth as expectations have soared.
I can see him taking over at Sunderland in the summer (providing they stay up) and Mourinho taking over at Eastlands.

Smegball

monkey9 wrote: »

Mark Hughes really feeling the heat after that Fulham defeat. I can't see him being manager there next season. It was always going to be tough for him after the Arabs took over, that really wasn't the job he'd signed up for and is probably a bit out of his depth as expectations have soared.
I can see him taking over at Sunderland in the summer (providing they stay up) and Mourinho taking over at Eastlands.

lol, No chance smelly pants!

Headshot

the fella has good taste

Xavi6

Maybe his name's Carl Ronaldo

Nunu

Bellamys knee injury will keep him out for the remaining games, SSN are reporting.

Boggles

Nunu wrote: »

Bellamys knee injury will keep him out for the remaining games, SSN are reporting.

Could have told you that the day he signed. :pac:

Xavi6

Yeah bad news alright. Boj still isn't 100% right and will playing reserves this week looks like it'll be Big Phil leading the line for the forseeable future.

bigstar

At least we have Darius Vassell :eek:

Xavi6

Michael Johnson made his comeback in the reserves tonight, coming through 90 minutes unscathed.

Xavi6

invincibleirish

Bellamy & Co. best not step out of line with the Sheikhs:

Wealthy brother of UK football chief linked to gruesome Gulf 'torture tape'

US calls for freeze on government aid to UAE and international anger grows as the half-brother of Manchester City's owner is seen on video shooting at, setting fire to and running over a helpless Afghan he had accused of cheating him in a business deal...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/26/manchester-city-torture-tape

Xavi6

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5254207,00.html

Elano keen to extend City stay

Brazilian midfielder Elano wants to extend his contract with Manchester City after revealing his happiness with life at Eastlands.

Elano is coming to the end of his second season with City and has rediscovered the form which made him such a crowd favourite when he was snapped up from Shakhtar Donetsk by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Yet for a lot of this season, it seemed the £8million midfielder would be destined for the exit door.

Elano was hit by one club fine after expressing his irritation at Mark Hughes' team selection and there have been frequent rumours the pair still do not see eye-to-eye.

However, with fellow countryman Robinho pledging his future to City, there appears to have been a thaw in relations between Elano and his manager.

And the 28-year-old has admitted he would be happy to extend his stay.

"This is the end of my second season with City and if it were up to me I would be sat around a table discussing a contract extension right now," Elano told the official Manchester City magazine.

"I would love to renew my contract at City and remain here for a long time.

"I love England and I enjoy living in Manchester. I am very happy here."

Having scored twice - both from the penalty spot - in his last three games as replacement for Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right side of midfield, Elano is set to play a major role in City's bid to reach the new Europa League.

Currently two places and three points off seventh spot, the Blues entertain Blackburn on Saturday knowing a victory will put them right in the frame with three games remaining.

Sign him up

keane2097

skyports.com wrote:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5262182,00.html

Cannavaro rejects City move
Veteran Italian set to return to Juventus

Fabio Cannavaro claims he has turned down offers from Manchester City and Bayern Munich as he closes on a return to Juventus.

The Italian defender is out of contract at Real Madrid at the end of the season and has yet to be offered an extension.

He must wait until the outcome of the Real presidential elections to learn if he will secure a new deal, but Cannavaro is keen to resolve his future.

The 35-year-old is eager to be in peak form for next summer's World Cup and that has prompted his decision to snub interest from City and Bayern.
Relaxed

"There will be the World Cup next year and I want to stay relaxed," Cannavaro told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Real Madrid told me I would have to wait until after the presidential election [to find out about a new contract] and advised me to look around. But I have asked my agent to see if he can find a solution.

"I didn't want to have to start from scratch with the World Cup around the corner and that's why I have turned down Manchester City and Bayern."

Meanwhile, Cannavaro's agent Gaetano Fedele says the centre-half is nearing a return to Juventus after first club Napoli did not make an offer.

Fascinating

Fedele told Radio Kiss Kiss: "We are waiting for the Bianconeri to send Real Madrid a fax.

"You'll all need to wait around five days before we define his contract and solve other problems that have cropped up in the last few days.

"The proposal made by Juventus is the most fascinating for many reasons. For now, Fabio will think about finishing the season with Real in the best way possible.

"Napoli never made an offer. There was never any interest. Fabio would have been willing to make enormous economic sacrifices to once again wear the Azzurri jersey.

"Would he have accepted a contract of just a £1m a year? Let's just say, for Napoli, Fabio would have made extraordinary sacrifices."

Is this the type of player City should really be after?

Imo this would just have been another attempt at getting a big name in regardless of his worth as a player in the hopes other big names would later be more amenable to a switch to the Eastlands...

Xavi6

Dodged a bullet there imo

keane2097

Xavi6 wrote: »

Dodged a bullet there imo

Big time - wouldn't like to see them go the way of just getting in as many big names as possible, could be a disaster...

Xavi6

9 years ago today -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TiVjn_McVQ

Remember it so well with all the fans sitting on the hill outside only being able to see one end of the ground.

A fantastic day.

nlgbbbblth

Xavi6 wrote: »

9 years ago today -

A fantastic day.

I watched the game in Humphrey's Ranelagh [a City friendly pub] and remember the tension so well - especially when they went behind. But the four goals that followed were amazing. BACK IN THE PROMISED LAND.

Humphrey's was also the scene for the 1998 relegation [distressing] and the 1999 play-off win [elation]

brayblue24

Look at the ref's face in the 59th minute before City scored and Blackburn hit the woodwork for about the 12th time. His disbelief is a picture.

Mr Alan

City linked with £35m move for Raul.

Would be a stupid stupid stupid stupid move for anything near that amount of money.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5298100,00.html

ShoulderChip

Mr Alan wrote: »

City linked with £35m move for Raul.

Would be a stupid stupid stupid stupid move for anything near that amount of money.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5298100,00.html

yes that would be a disgraceful move in my opinion.

Despite everything else his is not the kind of ego you want to have in a football club, especially one as unstable/ adapting as city (no offence)

Xavi6

Hughes already denied this rubbish.

Raul wanting a contract extension somehow = him moving to us.

Gonna be a looooooooooong summer

JPA

Ireland interview:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/8041610.stm

Xavi6

Excellent interview. He's a very interesting guy to listen to and he's honest about how he feels.

Seems to really love City as well which is good in my book.

Xavi6

More good Superman news -

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1114712_irelands_super_deal

Ireland's super deal

May 12, 2009

CITY are ready to reward excellence by handing Stevie Ireland a new contract.

The Blues midfielder has had the season of his career scoring 13 times to lie second in the club goal charts and was nominated into the country's top six young players in the recent PFA awards.

Ireland is almost certain to be named City fans' player of the year and has frequently stressed his desire to remain at the club for as many years as possible.

In the run up to the weekend derby the 22-year-old spoke excitedly about staying so long at Eastlands that he might finish high up the all-time appearance table, earn a testimonial and even have a stand named after him.

And City boss Mark Hughes and executive chairman Garry Cook have always stressed their desire to hang on to a core of young, homebred players who have City in their blood.

And they are now set to improve Ireland's pay up to a believed £50,000-a-week and lengthen his stay. He last signed a new deal in August 2007 since when his profile has rocketed.

Fresh

And nothing will please the player more than a fresh deal as he looks forward to another summer of hard work in the gym.

"I want to play here until I am 33 or 34-years-old and hopefully I will get a contract sorted out soon and continue to play for the club I love for as long as possible," he stressed.

While Ireland seems sure to extend his stay with talks said to be progressing and an offer close at hand, several of Ireland's team-mates look to be heading for the exit door.

Veteran ex-Germany international Didi Hamann, who started eight games under Hughes, is out of contract and will not be offered a new one while Darius Vassell's four-year stay also looks to be over with his contract up in the summer.

Ex-England full backs Danny Mills and Michael Ball, who have both been out injured, are also out of contract and will be looking for a fresh challenge next term and so will Brazilian Glauber Berti whose one-year deal expires in the summer.

Up to half a dozen others could also be sold as Hughes reduces the wage bill, rings the changes and brings in revenue to add to the substantial transfer funds he will be handed by owner Sheikh Mansour.

bigstar

robihno is probably out of the spurs game. i think we owe these a beating, if we dont then no europe next year. SWP might be back though.

Looks like johnson will be here next season. what a bloody year for him mysterious injury/drinking problem and now some weird muscle imbalance. if he could come back to anything like his potential we'd have some midfield with him and ireland and kompany and dejong and who ever else we get in. interesting summer ahead.

bigstar

great to see ireland getting a new 50k deal but you have to wonder how much some others are getting and hes been the main man.

any players anyone wants to get rid of in the summer. i think richards could go, he just hasnt move up to the next level.

Xavi6

I'd keep Micah personally. He still very young and there's no question he has immense ability, I just feel he needs more guidance from those around him with regard to the areas of his game that need improvement. He can still develop into a top defender so not worth losing him to another club imo.

Ched Evans can go for me, as can Garrido. Both are far below the standard we should be aiming for.

The likes of Hamann, Fernandes, Ball, Vassell and Benjani are pretty much gone anyway thankfully.

bigstar

i dont think hell improve much tbh. while he has a lot of physical ability, his awareness and positioning is really lacking and it hasnt improved since he first broke through. zab is far better at right back and at centre half he aint good enough either, i dont think hed play tbh if we get in some quality defenders.

as for the rest id be very surprised to see any of them stay.

jaykay74

I'm just curious if anyone knows whats the story behind the 3 stars on the city badge ? Does it represent league title wins or something ?

Adamcp898

jaykay74 wrote: »

I'm just curious if anyone knows whats the story behind the 3 stars on the city badge ? Does it represent league title wins or something ?

Purely decorative according to mcfc.co.uk

mcfc.co.uk wrote:

5. What do the three stars represent on the crest?

A. The stars have no significance and are purely decorative.

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={54FBBD35-A993-48CC-971E-875760E6B67A}

Instant Karma

I want to see more of Petrov on the left wing, hopefully his injury worries are behind him and he can get into the first team, our width has been lacking of late and he could sort that out, means Robinho can play more centrally. I'm looking forward to next season I believe we will do well. Also I'm still not convinced by Richards, and agree with you regarding Evans.

bigstar

jaykay74 wrote: »

I'm just curious if anyone knows whats the story behind the 3 stars on the city badge ? Does it represent league title wins or something ?

it was to give the crest a more continental look, whatever that means.

bigstar

Instant Karma wrote: »

I want to see more of Petrov on the left wing, hopefully his injury worries are behind him and he can get into the first team, our width has been lacking of late and he could sort that out, means Robinho can play more centrally. I'm looking forward to next season I believe we will do well. Also I'm still not convinced by Richards, and agree with you regarding Evans.

i think petrov on the left and SWP on the right would give us a lot of options attacking wise but we still need someone to put away the goals. a couple of defenders and a striker and wed be set up nicely for next season.

JPA

The thing with Richards is that he's 20!
The expectation is too much. Everyone thought he was going to be a superstar (which he may still be), but he just needs time.
Selling him would be a mistake that City would most likely regret in the future IMO. I'll take him at villa!

bigstar

JPA wrote: »

The thing with Richards is that he's 20!
The expectation is too much. Everyone thought he was going to be a superstar (which he may still be), but he just needs time.
Selling him would be a mistake that City would most likely regret in the future IMO. I'll take him at villa!

thats a fair point, but for me its not that i expect too much of him, hes just not good enough atm. if gets better then great but if hes not he shouldnt be playing. another point is that he might be a good 20 y/o but if we want to be challenging for europe we need better.

im just not a big fan, at 17 you could forgive the flaws cos he was still getting better and we were crap and he was the best we had. now we need better and i dont think he has improved in maybe a season or two. its just my opinion but i dont think hell improve much more. i dont know maybe a bad season will kick him in the arse and hell come back better in august.