BOLLOX ROUND-UP
The transfer window may only have ended on Monday evening, but the merry-go-round of rumour and speculation ahead of January’s has already begun.
Manchester City’s shortage of central defenders, which I discussed in detail earlier this week, has intensified speculation that they may make a move for a free agent. William Gallas, the former Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender, is by far the most experienced defender available at no cost and has been linked with a move to the Etihad.
City have to do something. Martin Demichelis was signed to ease what was already a precarious situation with injuries to Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards but he is now out for six weeks. Even when he returns from injury, getting him match-fit may take some time given he didn’t play a single preseason match during his two-month spell at Atletico Madrid.
Although Gallas’ powers are waning, evidenced by his less-than-convincing final season at Spurs, he offers experience of the Premier League. The season before last, Gallas performed admirably and could be just what City need in the very short term.
Another defender being linked with City is Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala who, if this report in The Star is to be believed, will be the subject of a £30 million bid from the Blues in January. City are thought to have made an offer late in the summer window, but Porto rejected it on the grounds that they had limited time to find a replacement.
Away from transfers: James Milner has been telling reporters about his willingness to force his way into Manuel Pellegrini’s starting XI. Milner is yet to start so far in the league despite an excellent preseason.
Milner told Goal.com:I had a good pre-season but obviously we’ve made some very good signings at City. It's going to take time for the new players and the manager to settle in and get to know each other.
At the moment we've had one game a week but as soon as we get back we're pretty much playing two or three games a week until January.
I'm sure the team will get changed and when you get your chance, it's down to you to prove you should be in the team.
Milner’s fitness levels and all-round appetite for the game make him an important part of this City squad. Time and again he has found himself out of the first team, only to force his way back in with some excellent displays. It would be foolish to think he can’t do it again.
Finally, from the wacky world of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, comes an admission that City tried to sign him in 2011 when he left Barcelona. He eventually joined AC Milan but, as revealed in his autobiography, City were keen to lure him to Manchester.
He said:City could surely become big within a few years. But I’d soon turn 29. I didn’t have time for long-term plans and money was never a big thing. I wanted to go to a club that could be good now and there was no club with a history like AC Milan.
Seeing Ibrahimovic in a sky blue shirt would have been a delight for City fans but it wasn’t to be. After a season in Milan in which he scored 33 times in all competitions, he left to join Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the most expensive footballer in accumulative transfer fees ever, overtaking former City striker Nicolas Anelka.
As a reward for reading this far, here's this week's Inside City, which takes a look inside Fernandinho's new house.
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Tough-man James Milner is off the bench for Danny Welbeck in Kiev
JAMES MILNER is ready to fill the void vacated by Danny Welbeck's ban and add steel and industry to England's starting line-up in Ukraine.
The midfielder has yet to start for Manchester City this season, but England manager Roy Hodgson is poised to turn to him after Welbeck picked up a harsh yellow card in Friday's win over Moldova to join Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge on the sidelines. Milner could start on the left with Rickie Lambert in a lone striking role.
"We know what James will do," said Hodgson. "He doesn't pretend to be as exciting as some of the wingers we sometimes use these days.
"After a long period of time in which I've not seen many wingers in the country, I'm seeing lots of young ones aged 22 and under. For Kiev, we need the experience and strength.
"Milner is not a winger, but the qualities he brings could be very useful for us. I'm not saying he's going to play in the Ukraine, but I wanted him to get some minutes."
ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP BOLLOX
Manchester City Football Club has announced LG Electronics (LG) as its official digital display partner. The two-year deal will see LG provide cutting-edge display technologies to the Etihad Stadium.
During the build-up to the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League this summer, LG kitted out the stadium with more than 360 premium digital LED screens, as part of a stadium-wide refit. The screens, ranging from 22in to 47in, were installed throughout the premium suites, hospitality boxes, fan concourses and food and beverage kiosks.
More than 320 flatscreens, which can be used as TV or digital signage, will also feature in the City Football Academy. Due to open next summer, the Club’s state-of-the-art training complex is situated on an 80-acre site next to the Etihad Stadium, in the heart of East Manchester.
“Manchester City is committed to continuous improvement of our facilities for our fans on match days, and visitors to the Etihad Stadium for meetings and special events,” said Tom Glick, chief commercial and operating officer for Manchester City Football Club. “The digital refit of our stadium concourses and hospitality facilities is only the beginning of our exciting partnership with LG. More enhancements for our fans are planned for the coming months, and we look forward to making the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy a showcase for LG’s world class products.”
Barry could prove to be a big loss for City
Experienced England midfielder leaves a significant void to fill
Amidst a flurry of transfer activity on deadline day, Gareth Barry snuck across the M62 at the eleventh hour to join Everton from Manchester City on a season long loan without so much as a batted eyelid.
Into the final year of his contract at the Etihad, the England midfielder had been linked with an exit for most of the summer seemingly surplus to requirements, and so it transpired that the former Aston Villa man joined Roberto Martinez’s side.
There has been no public dissatisfaction at Barry’s departure and it seems to have been met largely with indifference but could it prove more significant than most would anticipate?
City stuttered under Roberto Mancini for most of last season, finishing 13 points behind eventual champions Manchester United, and failed to recreate the sparkling performances that saw them capture their first league title in 52 years the previous season.
A major contributor to the inability to recreate such performances was the decision to let Nigel De Jong join AC Milan. The Dutchman was a terrier in midfield who never let the opposition rest, striving to win the ball back for his team and never afraid to let anyone know who’s boss.
De Jong’s departure restricted the freedom of Yaya Toure to play in a more advanced midfield role as he done to devastating effect in the Citizens title push. Mancini attempted to redress the balance in midfield with the signings of Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia but neither managed to cement a first team place and Toure soon became part of the holding midfield pairing alongside Barry with David Silva given more freedom in a central role.
Barry’s style is somewhat more subtle than former teammate De Jong but no less effective, last season he had an 80% tackle success rate combined with an 86% pass accuracy, making just two defensive errors in his 31 Premier League outings.
The arrival of Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk signalled the end for Barry as new boss Manuel Pellegrini opted for the pairing of Toure with the £30million Brazilian in City’s opening games and now Barry, the mainstay of the midfield has departed the problem of Toure’s influence remains.
The Ivorian may have found the net twice already this season but both have come directly from free-kicks and the colossal midfielder has only managed a further four attempts on goal, none of which have been on target.
With Barry gone it all but cements Toure’s place in his deeper role in midfield and leaves City thin on the ground in terms of experience with only James Milner as a tried and tested midfield back up option, and he has mainly played wide right in his time with City.
At 32 many will feel it was time for Barry to move on and in a World Cup year he couldn’t wait around for the chance of first team football, but the experienced campaigner could be notable by his absence, especially by those who have never been his biggest fans.
Ferdinand and Lescott criticised for racism stance
PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle has launched an extraordinary attack on the Manchester players for not wearing Kick It Out t-shirts last year.
Professional Footballers Association chairman Clarke Carlisle has criticised Rio and Anton Ferdinand in a strongly-worded attack on players who chose not to support last year's anti-racism T-shirt demonstration.
The brothers, Manchester United defender Rio and then-QPR player Anton, were among several prominent black players who opted not to wear shirts issued by campaigning group Kick It Out before a round of Premier League fixtures last October.
Manchester City's Joleon Lescott and Reading striker Jason Roberts were also high-profile figures in the boycott.
Carlisle wrote in his new autobiography 'You Don't Know Me, But... A Footballer's Life', that he was "bitterly disappointed" with the boycott and - exempting Roberts - labelled players who took a stance against the T-shirt campaign without explaining their reasons "s***houses".
In extracts published in the Daily Mail, he added: "Kick It Out is one of few bodies doing something positive about the issue, but there are some who evidently feel it is not doing enough.
"Rio and Anton Ferdinand were among a group of high-profile abstainers along with Joleon Lescott, who has not worn one since Newcastle's Turkish midfielder Emre was cleared of racially abusing his Everton team-mate Joseph Yobo, and Jason Roberts.
"At least Jason was vocal about his reasons. I don't mind people disagreeing but at least say why."
Reading striker Roberts joined the boycott in protest at what he saw as lenient sanctions handed to Liverpool's Luis Suarez and in particular Chelsea captain John Terry, the latter for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
He told the BBC at the time: "I'm totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there's a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.
"I think people feel let down by what used to be called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football'. People don't feel like they have been strong enough. Unless they're independent, unless they don't have to explain their actions to anyone then they won't be held accountable."
Carlisle continued: "Jason apart, the Premier League 'big' players happily throw in a grenade but do nothing when it explodes, nothing other than appear to hide behind their advisers.
"That's because they are s***houses. They have made their 'statement' for all to see but how many are prepared to stand in front of the cameras and be counted?
"The impression conveyed is that I have failed (as PFA chairman) to get people to unite and support the cause. Not only that, I feel under attack from a group of players questioning my position and representation of them on the issue. This has really hurt me."
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[/spoiler]Manchester United are considering a January move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. Old Trafford boss David Moyes - who had the 22-year-old watched in Belgium's victory over Scotland on Friday - is interested in adding more height and strength to his striking options. Daily Mirror
Celtic plan to make another offer for Peterborough playmaker Lee Tomlin, 24, after having three bids rejected for him in the summer. Daily Mirror
Newcastle are set to move for Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason when the transfer window reopens in January. The 24-year-old Iceland international scored 24 goals in the Dutch top flight last season. The Journal
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke will miss England's World Cup 2014 qualifier in Ukraine on Tuesday because he has a private business meeting, arranged before he took the job. The FA has emphasised that his role is "part time", and that either the chairman or the chief executive/general secretary represents the organisation at internationals. Daily Telegraph
England boss Roy Hodgson could spring a surprise and opt for the more defensive-minded Chris Smalling at right-back ahead of Kyle Walker. Daily Mirror
Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and Football Association general secretary Alex Horne have held a secret meeting to discuss moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from summer to winter. DSSC
Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy, 34, is ready to retire from playing international football for Wales. Guardian
Bellamy, 34, plans to travel to Argentina and Spain to learn about the coaching techniques used in those countries when he retires as a player. DSSC
Former Aston Villa and Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is understood to be the first choice to replace Giovanni Trapattoni as manager of the Republic of Ireland. DSSC
Sunderland manager Paulo Di Canio has been left furious after his senior side lost a friendly against the club's Under-21s. He was also angered that details of the match were leaked. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, 26, says he will apologise to One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson after his forceful challenge saw the 21-year-old limp off the field in a charity football match. Metro
Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, want an explanation from executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about what went wrong in the summer transfer market, despite signing 25-year-old midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton for £27.5m. Mirror
Manchester United remain interested in re-signing 28-year-old Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Old Trafford club had set aside £80m to complete the deal in the summer. DSSC
Southampton striker Billy Sharp is wanted by Reading, Leeds, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster when the loan transfer window opens up this week. But the 27-year-old fears he may have to stay as the Saints are refusing to subsidise his £18,000-a-week wages. Mirror
Bolton are interested in Crystal Palace's 25-year-old Ireland midfielder Owen Garvan, who could leave Selhurst Park after he posted a message on Twitter, which appeared to criticise Eagles manager Ian Holloway. Sun
The Football Association turned down the chance to interview current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, 42, for the England manager's job before appointing Roy Hodgson, 66. DSSC
Arsenal are reopening £15m contract talks with manager Arsene Wenger, and hope a £40m January transfer fund will persuade the 63-year-old Frenchman to sign. Sun
The FA could toughen up work permit rules at a shareholder meeting on Thursday to make the criteria tougher for foreign players entering the country. DSSC
Roy Hodgson would have dropped Rickie Lambert, 31, and played Danny Welbeck as a lone striker in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine if the 22-year-old had not picked up a suspension. People
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, 34, says the way some Premier League clubs treat the England national team is "a disgrace". DSSC
Manchester United want striker Wayne Rooney to sign a new contract keeping him at the club "well into his thirties", despite him being linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer. The 27-year-old's deal expires in June 2015. Telegraph
Meanwhile, United manager David Moyes is determined to push through a revamp of his Old Trafford scouting network after being frustrated in the transfer window. Express
Swansea City's 49-year-old manager Michael Laudrup and former Brighton boss Gus Poyet, 45, are on a list drawn up by Portuguese side Benfica if they decide to sack Jorge Jesus after an unimpressive start to the season. Mirror
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp says Manchester United winger Ashley Young, 28, is the player to replace 22-year-old suspended forward Danny Welbeck in the England team in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier away to Ukraine. Sun
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, 55, says a point against Ukraine would be a "massive" result for Roy Hodgson's team in Kiev. DSSC
Newcastle fans plan to protest against owner Mike Ashley before the home game with Liverpool on 19 October. The controversial appointment of Joe Kinnear as director of football, and his failure to add to the loan signing of 26-year-old striker Loic Remy, have angered supporters. Mirror
The Newcastle protestors hope their march will help find a new owner for the club. Evening Chronicle
Manager Chris Coleman, 43, will sign a contract extension this week, even though Wales are in danger of finishing bottom of their World Cup qualifying group. Observer
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio, 45, has ordered his foreign signings to learn English - to avoid cliques developing in the dressing room. Mirror
Queens Park Rangers full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 29, has been pictured skydiving in Miami. Metro
David Beckham has a massive crush on Cherrie Bliar it has been revealed by former England teammate Danny Murphy. i
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