Thursday 26 July 2012

Statement made!

Summer has for the last few years been about big money signings at The Etihad Stadium as City built a side capable of challenging for major honours.  Indeed as last season ended with the Premier League title rumours were already rife as to whom City would sign.

City usually play their cards close to their chest regarding transfer business which means the media have to make up their own stories relying on agents for tip offs etc...  Indeed if you believed all the rumours City would have spent close to £200 Million already signing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic Thiago Silva and RVP as well as a few others.

But todays contract news from the club is indeed probably better than any new transfer as it was announced club captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new 6 year deal.  Great news for fans and as he stated on twitter

Very pleased and honored to announce my new 6 year contract with MCFC! I am good here, best fans in the world! Ready for much more trophies!
 A tough tenacious centre half he has been the rock from which City's recent success has been based.  The fact he is only 26 whilst being one of the more senior pros at the club shows City to be a young side and that's something the wider media don't give much credit for. Indeed with few tweeks this City side could remain almost unchanged for 4 years and only 3 or 4 players would be over 30.

Added with the news earlier in the month manager Roberto Mancini has signed a new 5 year deal the statement made for the Premier League and Europe is crystal clear Manchester City are here to stay, the FA Cup and The Premier League were only the beginning the club have that taste of silver and want much more.

Thursday 5 July 2012

RVP = RSC Revisited??

The news Robin Van Persie has refused a new contract at Arsenal sent the media into a frenzy.  He had already been linked heavily with either a move to Manchester City or perhaps a move to Juventus.  At 28 this is his last real chance of a big money move and contract and given Arsenals recent trophy drought it would appear he would also like to win top honours like former Gunners Cesc Fabregas Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy did in the first year of leaving Arsenal.  He certainly was good at clocking up personal honours winning the golden boot and Player of the year awards. 

Having familiar faces in the dressing room could mean a bid from City holds sway with Van Persie that said City have recent history of signing a player for their last big money move.  Step forward Roque Santa Cruz.  Signed at 28 there were doubts about his fitness when he signed and indeed in two seasons Roque only appeared in 20 games for City having took over a month to be fit enough to make his debut.  A lot of fans felt medical concerns were ignored as then Manager Mark Hughes rightly rated the Paraguay international who had a habit of finding the net when he played.  However appearing 57 times in two seasons for Blackburn did indicate there might be issues.

And that is a similar story with Van Persie indeed last season is the first time he has managed a full season in the Premier League.  There is little doubt he is a proven scorer as over all he is near enough a 1 goal every two appearance striker for Arsenal, though that was aided by 30 in 38 last season.  It could be he has fully shaken off his injury woes but given his age it does beg the question is he worth the risk?  Given the options City currently have up front added to by the returning John Guidetti from his loan at Feyenoord is he actually needed as goals haven't been an issue for City.

I'm not totally against the idea but can think of more reasons to steer clear the money it would take could be better spent in my opinion.