Well, two days are left until the transfer window opens again and Manchester City look like they’ve signed two strikers to help Mark Hughes drag them up the table. I suppose they need some good news down at Eastlands after the ground flooded on Saturday due to flash floods. With both signings, City could have an incredible 12 strikers on their books at the last count, but that number will fall by one on July 1st as young prospect Daniel Sturridge has agreed to join Chelsea.
With the roster of talent up front that Hughes has now, it’s safe to say that City will be looking to probably offload at least another 4 strikers apart from Sturridge. Vassell and Benjani, Ched Evans and the unloved Jo would be favourites to be heading for the door and all 4 will easily find new clubs before the season starts. Bojinov may get another chance to show his potential, after a couple of injury ravaged seasons at Eastlands, Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz will still be settling in.
Of the others, Robinho will surely stay regardless of the rumours of Barcelona weighing up a bid for him and Caicedo may be off after comments in the press last week stating he’d had contact from 4 or 5 clubs looking to take him next season. Even footballers can work out that 12 strikers into 3 positions does not work out too well if you aren’t called Robinho, Santa Cruz, Eto’o, Tevez or Bellamy.
The signing of Carlos Tevez is no surprise as it’s been mooted since he announced that he was leaving Manchester United last week and throwing his dummy out of the pram as he went. The potential signing of Samuel Eto’o is a different level for me, easily one of the most consistent strikers in world football today, two footed, great in the air, pacey and a thunderous shot on him. He is one of the best strikers in the world to put it simply. I’m surprised but not shocked by Barcelona accepting a bid for him; he’s 28 and only has one year left on his contract at the Camp Nou. £28 million pounds is a lot for a guy with only 12 months left on his contract, but City need to show real ambition and the Eto’o signing is key to that ambition becoming reality.
Eto’o's signing could be the beginning for Hughes’ side and satisfying the long term aims of the Abu Dhabi Group. By now signing a genuine world class player for Manchester City, it’s a major development. Before anyone goes on about Robinho and Carlos Tevez being world class, no they’re not. They’re both damn good players, but the best players in their positions? Not a chance. Eto’o is certainly a name that would easily be mentioned when discussing the best striker in the world and if he decides to come then City have a top quality player.
The other aspect to this signing is the fact that other players will sit up and take notice that Eto’o has agreed to join Manchester City. It’s a major signing by any stretch of the imagination and will send a message out to other players out there. Now all Mark Hughes has to do is get this squad of players working as a team.
Transfer window opens in two days? We did well to sign Gareth Barry a few weeks ago then…
Barry has agreed to join but registrations can not be completed until July 1st. Only free agents can join clubs before July 1st.
Other players may well sit up and take notice if Eto’o joins, but at this stage of the game it will only be because of the money we are offering him! I don’t believe we are ready for the likes of Eto’o yet, and he is not ready for us either. Tevez, Barry, RSC and Robinho, yes, but not Eto’o – it would cause too much unrest in the changing room and sulks over not getting a guaranteed spot on the pitch. If we give it another year with what is currently being put together at City, Eto’o will then be a free agent and will WANT to join the club – and not just for the money!
Are Players locked up with long term deals before their transfer fees are paid?
Tevez and Robihno NOT world class………? Transfer window opened when……..? If ETO comes I’ll be surprised, even as a giddy blue, but it is a massive statement for City, the top clubs in the world are taking us serious and day after day the number of bitter snide sniggers are deminishing. Christmas time will be a time to reflect, and my money is on the premiership sitting up and taking notice. Top four 2 years, its odds on!
I presume thus site is american because none of the writers seem to have a clue about fooball. Everytime i leave a comment it has to be about the poor quality of the article.
ps just cos we have 12 strikers, dont make any of them good. we have robinho but in terms of real quality strikers thats it.( we dont yet have a “roster of talent up front”)
So is City intending to get any defenders or midfielders….
I agree with robert, i was watching Manchester City playing Liverpool today on FSC and I didnt see a guy on that team other than Robinho that was able to strike the ball good. and you dont see Robinho striking the ball from distance in the Brasilian games either. but I believe when Tevez gets there or if gets there then do not worry any futher about not having a good striker. this guy can strike the ball real nice. the Manchester United and Manchester City Game omg the guy was doing all he could to get it in the back of the net and he was hittin the woodwork like crazy but finally got one in there. he is also a guy you can look to…to change the game. the Manchester United and Wigan game…hahaha man he came in and landed that nice back heel shot and i was like wow….him and robinho would be good togeather on the pitch…I dont watch Manchester City alot so I dont know of who all they have in terms of strikers but i do know Robinho and Tevez will be able to solve striking problems.
Its kinda stupid buying players like teves and eto’o when you have robhino and belamy up front what are you going to do with them two players?, never play em?