Manchester City's injury blow could hand a lifeline to Blues duo
England defenders Lescott and Richards could get a chance to impress new Blues boss with rival sidelined after ankle knock
The first injury blow of Manuel Pellegrini’s City reign is a particularly unwelcome one.
Of course, no injury is a good thing but Matija Nastasic’s ankle knock, which could see him miss the start of the season, has disrupted the one area that City haven’t strengthened this summer.
Fernandinho and Jesus Navas have arrived to bolster the midfield while Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic have filled the void left by Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez. But of the £90m spent, not a penny has been used to improve the defence.
If anything, the back line has been weakened by Kolo Toure’s departure to Liverpool, Maicon’s move to Roma and Karim Rekik’s season-long loan at PSV Eindhoven.
But in the aftermath of Nastasic’s injury, picked up during the Asia Trophy final on Saturday, Pellegrini played down suggestions he could be forced into the transfer market to find cover for the Serbian defender. He would perhaps argue that it’s not necessary given that he has inherited statistically the meanest defence in the Premier League.
“It doesn’t depend on just one thing,” said Pellegrini after the 1-0 win over Sunderland.
“I said that we could do something else before the Premier League starts but maybe we stay with the same squad. At the moment we aren’t that concerned about that but I’m very happy with the squad we have.”
While his words won’t bring comfort to those fans who think City are short at the back, they will have been welcomed by the heirs to Nastasic’s place in the team – Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards.
After all, both have endured a frustrating 12 months.
Lescott lost his place after Nastasic’s arrival from Fiorentina while Richards suffered ankle and knee injuries to keep him on the sidelines for all but eight games last term.
Lescott and Richards have legitimate claims to be part of England’s World Cup plans next summer, should they qualify for the tournament in Brazil. And a chance to stake their claims for a first-team place at City while Nastasic is on the treatment table is the ideal platform to make a run at Roy Hodgson’s squad.
Lescott has said in the past that he doesn’t expect to be called up by England if he’s not playing regularly for his club. He’s been linked with moves to Everton, Aston Villa and Stoke but the early indications from Pellegrini are that he wants the 30-year-old to stay where he is.
“If my place in the squad was secure at international level then it would be a little bit easier,” Lescott said in April.
“But I only got in the last squad by default. It was a reality check and it made me realise I need to make a decision. But it needs to be the right one for my career as you cannot expect to play for England if you are not playing for your club.”
Richards’ situation is a little more clear-cut. He’s further away from an England call-up than Lescott with Hodgson seemingly preferring Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker at right-back.
Despite losing his place at club level to Pablo Zabaleta, Richards insisted this summer that he has never considered a move away from the Etihad.
And Nastasic’s injury could present a chance for Richards to partner Vincent Kompany in the centre of defence with Zabaleta keeping his place at right back.
His best performances have been at right-back, especially in City’s title-winning season. But a chance to prove his worth at centre-half would create welcome options for Hodgson, who will know flexibility is everything when picking a squad for a major tournament.
But fit again after a nightmare season, the 25-year-old is just happy to be out of the physio’s room.
Richards said: “Manchester City is my club and I’ve never considered playing anywhere else. I think there has been speculation because I’ve got two years left on my contract and Pablo Zabaleta had a fantastic season.
“He’s outstanding but that’s what you expect at top teams, you expect competition. The season before we won the Premier League and I had a good year but now I’m just happy to be back fit.
“Last season was a bit of a nightmare with injuries. I picked up the ankle problem at the Olympics and came back from that and then tore my cartilage.
“The main thing is to be playing. I know there are a lot of games and I don’t expect to play every game but the season we won the title me and Zabba rotated really well together so if we can do that this season I’ll be happy.
“People think you just need a good starting 11 but you need a strong squad to challenge for places and come in and compete when necessary.
“Last season we were a bit short on numbers and in the end it showed with the massive gap with United. Their squad has become amazing now and they’ve got just as good a side as us now so it’ll be tough this year but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Barcelona make Aguero enquiry
Barcelona have made a shock enquiry for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, according to reports.
TalkSHIT cite speculation in Spain when claiming that the La Liga champions approached the Citizens earlier in the summer, but were immediately rebuffed in their advances.
Rivals Real Madrid have also been keeping a close eye on the Argentine international forward, but have not followed up their interest in the 25-year-old.
Aguero has made a huge impact since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, helping the club to the Premier League title last season with a notable final day contribution.
His form hasn’t gone unnoticed in Catalonia, with Barca president Sandro Rossell keen to add the former Atletico Madrid star alongside Neymar. Aguero was seen as a direct replacement for David Villa, the report claimed.
Manuel Pellegrini has no intention of letting his star striker leave Manchester City however, and whilst Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic have both joined the club this summer, Aguero is still regarded as the number one option for last season’s domestic runners-up
Manchester City sweating over Matija Nastasic’s ankle injury
MANCHESTER CITY are facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of Matija Nastasic’s ankle injury.
Serbian centre-back Matija Nastasic is one of Manchester City's key men
City fear the defender will miss the start of the season with the damage he suffered on the terrible pitch in Hong Kong used for the Asia Trophy.
Nastasic had scans on his right ankle at the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester yesterday.
The 20-year-old Serbian star went down clutching his leg after hurting his ankle during City’s 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday and was taken off on a stretcher.
“Premier League runners-up City kick-off their season against Newcastle on August 19”
But boss Manuel Pellegrini insisted Nastasic’s KO was caused by a kick and not the poor surface.
The Hong Kong Stadium pitch was widely criticised after torrential rain ruined the turf.
And Nastasic will play a key part in their attempts to regain the title after establishing himself as Vincent Kompany’s centre-back partner last season
Manchester City pondering move for Cagliari defender
Manchester City are thinking of making a move for Cagliari defender Davide Astori after Matija Nastasic was ruled out for the start of the season through injury.
Nastasic was injured during City’s 1-0 in the Asia Trophy over Sunderland, and could be ruled out for up to a month forcing the Manchester club to look to the transfer market.
As a result, alfredopedulla.com are reporting that the Citizens could make a move for Astori in order to ensure manager Manuel Pellegrini has enough cover for his backline.
Astori’s agent, Claudio Vigorelli, has reportedly already flown out to England and could soon meet with City directors in order to open talks for the former AC Milan youth product.
The 26-year-old has been at Cagliari since 2008, making 144 appearances in all competitions for the Isolani in that time.
LATEST PARTNER BOLLOX
City make gains with latest partnership
Manchester City FC have signed up a US-listed Gain Capital Partnership as their official online trading partner.
As part of the partnership, Gain Capital's online trading brand Forex will create behind-the-scenes content at City and provide insights into how the club is run via the players, business operations and backroom staff.
Chief commercial and operating officer Tom Glick said: "Gain Capital and Manchester City are both leaders in our respective fields, and our partnership is rooted in the recognition that the fundamental elements of success in football and trading are the same: strong preparation and superior execution.
"Gain's plans to leverage this connection are unique in sports sponsorship and we look forward to working with them."
Gain Capital Holdings is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and provides online trading services to a range of retail and institutional investors.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 30-7-1966
England won the World Cup.
A crowd of 93,000 spectators - including the Queen and Prince Phillip - filled London's Wembley Stadium to watch the host nation play West Germany in the final. Another 400 million people around the world watched on television.
In the final moments of extra time Sir Geoff Hurst powered home his third goal to give England a 4-2 victory and to become the first man ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
[spoiler]
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