Losing out on a
transfer ain't the end of the world. You try to persuade a player to
join your club and tell them the ambitions that are lying ahead in
the (near) future. But how things are currently going at Manchester
City are alarming. Bells should be heard and flash lights should be
visual by now that things are going very wrong – something that
could lead to long term damage.
My question is clear:
are Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain capable of representing our
club? Yes, we're paying their salaries and should represent us, but I
noticed some issues that make me feel quite suspicious.
Missing out on Isco is
a painful one. This because City has been in talks with the lad and
his father since at least last April. Early May it was basically a
done and dusted deal: Isco had stated he wanted to join Pellegrini's
new team and to continue his career within the Premier League. For
those who by the way think that Mancini only got sacked for losing
the FA cup final I honestly feel sorry for.
How come that – when
you negotiate for such a long time until you reach the 'verbal
agreement' stage – you suddenly hold back entirely, and do not
offer a contract straight away. It happened with Navas and
Fernandinho – transfer fee agreed and player snapped up. In this
case the two City represents let it be and left Isco in a thick fog
of mystery, making it very easy for Real Madrid to step in and gain
his signature.
The same applies to
Edinson Cavani – who City has been in talks with for a period of
one to one-and-a-half years to lure him over to Manchester. Also this
player initially got convinced that moving to the Citizens would be
an exciting challenge. He even stated it in the press that he 'would
definitely change teams – but not colours' – and as we know
Napoli and Manchester City are in light blue.
Regarding him the
transfer has not yet been binned, however just like the Isco
situation the 'big two' of City walked away when a final offer had to
be made and so leave the door wide open again for any other club to
hijack the transfer attempt.
And let us not forget
the entire failed transfer window of the summer of 2012 – last year
indeed. The than active manager Roberto Mancini was convinced that
Robin van Persie would join his team after (personal) negotiations.
But also here Soriano and Begiristain kept the player in the dark at
the final stages – making it an easy move for United to take
advantage regarding the highly productive striker. I'm just saying,
this is exactly the same pattern.
Also this took place
regarding Daniele De Rossi – who was been spoken with for at least
8 months, I dare to state. As De Rossi was also a target for January
2012 when the club needed a replacement for the Africa Cup bound Yaya
Toure.
Marwood got the blame
by the majority of the fans regarding all the transfer fails, as he
WAS the man in charge to get new signings in – but the truth is
that Soriano and Begiristain were the ones responsible. Do not forget
that Marwood did sign Nigel de Jong, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, David
Silva etc etc!
As a result of no big
players coming in the club signed highly overpriced Javier Garcia –
a player who would also struggle at Norwich due of not having the
spine of being suitable for the top. Sinclair was taken in. A player
who would only have been a big signing to us if we would be still
pre-2008. The club is slipping up – and although I seriously
thought 'this is one season only being skipped', the attitude
regarding dealing with transfers remained the same.
Agreed: Nastasic is
probably the best young player signed by any club in the Premier
League last summer. A player who adopted the English way of play and
culture very quickly and shall be one of Europe's best stars. And
don't forget Jack Rodwell – a player originally from the Marwood list – who as well got a
bright future ahead of him. From injury prawn to now ready to shine –
after some fantastic healing work by the Man City medical staff.
Their future is bright, but is it for the club? Are we moving forward
or are we being moled down?
The worrying part for next season is the departure of 'saviour' Tevez - the man who opened all doors for us when we managed to sign him up four years ago. That was one of the biggest scoops in football history. You don't get players with such high working rate and technique as he has. And with the failure of getting in big names, dark clouds look to set above Manchester.
The worrying part for next season is the departure of 'saviour' Tevez - the man who opened all doors for us when we managed to sign him up four years ago. That was one of the biggest scoops in football history. You don't get players with such high working rate and technique as he has. And with the failure of getting in big names, dark clouds look to set above Manchester.