January Sales The Place For A Bargain?

“I think maybe a squad is not just money – as you say, most of you say, every time. This year we have restrictions on the amount we spend and the amount of players we have.“
“When you have restrictions you give a lot of advantage to other teams. I think if you want to be a competitive team you cannot give an advantage to other teams.”
Manuel Pellegrini 21-Dec-2014.

A "False 9" even in my most rose tinted of days I would never have put that as ever being a possibility for Man City. But given a series of unfortunate events and shorn of Alvaro Negrado because of the FFP restrictions called out by Manuel above, Man City completed a convincing 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday without the use of a striker.

Jose Pozo was ruled too ill to play at the last minute so James Milner took the role of "False 9" for the majority of the match; aided as ever by his third lung, allowing him to act as a front three for much of the game.

But despite the excellent position that the win against Palace  gives City in the Premier League, and the fact that Aguero, Dzeko, and Jovetic will be back fit in good time for the Champions League, the rumour mill is now rife with dead certs for City to sign to fill the "striker gap". Of course this is a media over simplification of the problem as nothing gains more clicks per page than a good transfer saga. For all the Negredo sale was forced by FFP in order to balance transfer and wage structures, having four top class strikers is not an easy balancing act to manage, and so not having Negrado did have advantages right up until the loss of Pozo.

The January window is historically very difficult to secure good signings which represent value. The number of players unrestricted by being cup tied or injury plagued is small and leads to a premium being placed on players who are free from complications. Clubs are invariably forced to shop for second or third choice targets or pay way over the odds to secure their man. City have the added "complication" of having (when fit) a gifted set of three strikers already, none of whom would wish to see their game time limited by further signings. Also the list of players who would happily come to a club, however successful, knowing they are third of fourth choice is not long.

In January then the scenario where City sign a better/equal striker to Aguero is a none starter. Leaving City perhaps three reasonable courses of action:

a) look for young potential equal to that of Jovetic with an eye on the future. Saido Berahino (West Brom) is the media choice, but City would be wary of anyone largely unproven, especially after the launch of the magnificent CFA. A better choice would be Alexandre Lacazette, the exciting 21 year old from Olympique Lyonnais who's speed and agility would offer something different and has racked up 20+ goals both this season and last in Lique 1.

b) Loan deals. Although this is as restricted a list candidate wise as trying to sign a star directly, at least the financial impact is restricted. A favourite amongst fans and media alike is the possibility of  David Villa switching his loan from New York City from Melbourne to Manchester, but this is complex and unlikely to garner support from New York alongside the already complicated Lampard situation. Players outside Europe are something of an unknown quantity, though maybe Pato (still in Brazil with Sao Paulo after leaving AC Milan) could be tempted? Beyond this there are surprisingly few options of the necessary quality who are not ECL "cup tied". The two names usually linked with a permanent move Wilfried Bony and Papiss Cisse are good 4th choice material, but are even less likely as loan prospects as they are considered starters for their respective clubs (so why would they let them go?) and are getting game time (so why would they want to come?).

c) Persevere with EDS players already on books, or recall loanees. By loanees here I mean the likes of Devante Cole not more senior loanees like Guidetti or Negrado, who would have been confirmed as recalled for January already if a realistic option. Cole has scored seven goals already in his time with Barnsley and represents a more traditional striking option than Pozo who plays best in a more withdrawn role, and has marginally more experience than Thierry Ambrose who is a year younger. Kelechi Iheanacho will also be able to register (work permits permitting) in January and is arguably the best option given his showing with the first team in pre-season. 

 Personally I believe choice c) remains the realistic option unless negotiations were started elsewhere last summer. The January sales are not a good place to buy if your a football club.

The Sum Not The Parts

"This team deserves a little bit more credit than the press gives us," Pellegrini told Sky Sports.

I opened this blog with the reasons why, as a long time follower of Man City, the Champions League left me cold. My thoughts have not changed, but that does not mean the last two performances; an unlikely win against Bayern and a two nil defeat of Roma in the Stadio Olympico, were not enjoyable. Far from it.

Each result, in different ways, showed the strengths of the team at the moment. The Bayern game showed why Sergio Aguero is truly a world class player, as he single-handedly brought City their first win in Europe this season. Of all the player investments over the last six years, no one player personifies the revolution in class since the takeover as much (well maybe David Silva, and Yaya on his day, and of course Vincent with the bit between his teeth). 

The Roma game demonstrated a different quality. Shawn of all of the above listed players (save a final 20 minute cameo for Silva), City put in a master class of how a solid team performance should look. All of the players were on top of their game. Milner and Fernandhino in particular bust several lungs to nullify i Giallorossi. Samir Nasri, with a magnificent opener from 20 yards, was also a revelation taking responsibility in all areas of midfield. But of all the magical moments it was left to fan favourite Zabaleta to seal the win with City's second, further cementing himself in City folk lore with an emotional celebration in front of the 1500 travelling support.

Manuel was of course correct, City are not given credit. Most hacks had pre written their stories on "yet another" disappointing European showing for MCFC. In fact one even published it in the Guardian (a publication which has long since forgotten its roots in Manchester). The Roma win was City's sixth on the bounce. Most have not been pretty, but none have been with a full squad, and  there have been some impressive showings either individually or as a team.

Of further interest was the media's collective belief that the approach, if not the personnel, in Rome might be the magic formula that City have lacked. A lot of people thought, myself included, that the Fernando purchase would lead to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 in Europe; but that's only been the case in the last two games. It will be interesting to see if it continues. Though Yaya's is a three match ban so perhaps 4-2-2-2 is less likely in any case come February. Whatever the formation it will be interesting to see if progression can continue.

City Football Academy - 6 Years Is A Long Time In Football

Sheikh Mansour: "We are building a structure for the future, not just a team of all stars".

As a City fan of a certain age the opening today of the City Football Academy is truly a milestone to place alongside 14th May 2011 and 93'20" 13th May 2012. I am sure a certain section of the media will concentrate on the significant investment to make this happen, and indeed the numbers are impressive; from the 7000 seater stadium for the EDS and MCWFC teams, to the 8.1m litre water tanks to keep the 16 and a half (the keepers have their own half pitch!) pitches green.

For me though it is both the obvious longevity of such an investment and the way the community is being helped that stands out. One side of my family hails from near to what has become "Eastlands", and to see the transformation is something for which Sheikh Mansour can truly be proud. The use of "brown field", the employment of 10% of staff from local unemployed, and the investment of £3m in local amenities especially.

It is a world away from Platt Lane, but retains the community links first seen there (I used to play 5-a-side at Platt Lane hopeful the training pitch would be in use at the same time). If ever a football club initiative will bring the community closer, this is it, with a new college and park space, as well as local employment.

The CFA also marks the continuation of the "holistic" approach so openly mocked in the media. All the MCFC teams from under 8s to the senior team will use the complex; 75% of the youth academy is targeted to come from the Greater Manchester area. Its poignant that Jose Pozo (from the EDS squad) was trusted to replaced Kun Aguero on Saturday, and this is something likely to become more prevalent as the years progress. 

So I look forward to hunting down my City Circle in a week or so's time, within a footballing complex which can truly be heralded as one of the worlds best, to go with the worlds best fans ;).