City Of Gold
It’s not often that another team in England, let alone in Manchester, hogs the headlines more than Manchester United. But it’s not often that a British team gets bought over by an Abu Dhabi investment group, although football clubs are starting to replace private islands and super-yachts as the new playthings for the filthy rich. Never has the balance of the game shifted so much in favour of those with the Yankee dollar (or British pound). Of course, there have been rich clubs in the past, but there was always an air of financial prudence in transfer dealings. But spiralling wages in recent years has in turn led to exorbitant transfer fees, and the market this summer takes the cake for that.
Manchester City’s spending alone has surpassed £100 million in the space of a few months. City fans (who have suddenly sprouted up all over) will argue that they got several players for roughly the price of one Cristiano Ronaldo. But taking a closer look at City’s signings, one can’t help having a feeling that they paid inflated values. Then again, to the Middle Eastern owners, they’d pay more to get the players they want now (or at least the players that wanted to join them) rather than wait and face the opportunity cost of not strengthening their team (note to Sir Alex Ferguson: stop complaining about the inflated market and get David Silva). They have brought in an England international defensive midfielder who Liverpool so desperately wanted, an Arsenal defender and striker with vast Champions League experience between them, a Paraguayan forward who banged in the goals for Blackburn Rovers (which is no mean feat) and an Argentine cry-baby (I’m a United fan after all).
But almost everyone still thinks City won’t break into the top four this season. However, looking at their team on paper, I ask myself, why not? They certainly can make a fight out of it. Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong sitting in midfield will provide plenty of protection to a defence marshalled by the experienced Kolo Toure and the likely addition of Matthew Upson. Let’s not forget Shay Given in goal, one of the best shot-stoppers in the league. What may prove to be their downfall though are too many cooks spoiling the broth (although in the case of Richard Dunne, he could do with eating that broth and losing some weight). With Stephen Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho looking to dictate play, things usually fall apart in the final third, which was their story of last season.
With these three attacking midfielders, manager Mark Hughes still has to find a way to fit Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor into the side. There’s no doubt that City are a top-heavy side (even with Richard Dunne in defence) with a wealth of attacking talent, but to get players to gel and work well as a cohesive unit, they need to be playing together regularly. Since City are not involved in any European competition this season, Hughes does not have to rotate this players due to fatigue or a packed fixture list, which may work for teams like small squad teams like Everton and Aston Villa but may lead to mutiny on a bench with Bellamy and friends.
His handling of unhappy players will be key to City’s all-out push for a Champions League place. As we’ve seen many times before, maintaining form after the New Year is how the big four clubs break away from the rest of the pack. Hughes has to thread a fine line between keeping a settled line-up and ensuring team spirit and unity remains in the squad. I still expect an Adebayor-Bellamy fight sometime around Christmas, and my money is on the Welshman winning with a well-placed knee jab.
There’s no doubt Hughes is under immense pressure this season, and anything less than a Europa League spot (even that may not be enough) will probably lead to a certain Portuguese ‘Special One’ making his return to the Premier League. Hughes really needs his big-money signings to deliver. And they need to prove that the party line about being at City for the long-term project and not for the money is somewhat plausible with performances where it matters most – on the pitch.
Adebayor has done enough talking to last a lifetime; now he needs to get them at least 20 goals. With Robinho’s wizardry and the workhorse Carlos Tevez in support, that target is achievable. Ireland and Wright-Phillips are capable of contributing goals from the midfield as well. In Wayne Bridge and Pablo Zabaleta, they also have marauding full-backs who can put decent crosses into the box. De Jong and Barry in the middle will be the glue that holds this team together. Their protection in front of the back four will be especially vital against the big teams, who may find it difficult to break them down.
Hughes does not have to give a motivational speech to his players. If he shows them Ferguson’s quotes about the club being small with an equally miniscule mentality and its apparent obsessiveness with all things United, that should motivate them to do well. Then again, one questions whether the players’ enthusiasm at signing fat contracts will be matched by equally fervent performances on the pitch. Because nothing less than that will get City what they and their Abu Dhabi owners really want – entry to the cash cow that is the UEFA Champions League. Oh yes, I almost forgot – and their first trophy in 33 years!
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