Saturday 22 August 2009

Lescott all but signed!



Announcements today suggest Joleon Lescott is ready to sign in the next 24 hours, presumable as the FA office opens after the weekend, we can assume the deal is all but done.

The deal will come as an obvious blow to Moyes ambition this season, he already has a small squad, but he is now able to reinforce with several players, due to the over inflated fee they will receive for Joleon! There is some rumour that Everton are to complain about an illegal approach from city, but i see this as mostly hot air, it was Everton in fact who 1st published the bid on their Website!

This is a major coup for Hughes and at an important time. Two games into the season, city has generally started well, but there is still a key flaw at the back and perhaps in the midfield. Richard Dunne was less than impressive Vs Wolves and will struggle to get into the side with the arrival of Lescott. There is also great competition for places form Onouha who was arguably the best of the batch last season and the returning Vincent Kompany who is capable of playing both in midfield and centre back. Dunne will want to play 1st team football, which will become increasingly unlikely at city, so is he set to leave the club?

With Lescott set the be the 7th major signing of the season do city have any thing else lined up to surprise the fans like last season with Robinho!

‘And then there are the ones that got away, who did not fall under the spell of City’s wealth. Xabi Alonso was not interested, preferring Real Madrid (City will pursue a passing central midfielder once they land Lescott)’


Guillem Balague made a passing comment on his blog that Hughes was chasing Xabi Alonso who eventually joined Real Madrid from Liverpool, but he is still interested in signing a passing midfielder. Perhaps Hughes 1st signing from abroad this transfer window could be a top quality midfielder!
Today press reports have linked the club with ageing Argentine star Juan Román Riquelme, but i can’t see that happening. Also linked are Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben, along with two other Dutch stars Vander Vaart and Sneijder. All three would do nicely! With only ten days left in the window competition for top player will be at an all time high, with Big clubs concealing their deal from City for as late as possible. The fear being City could financially trump any club, like we did with the Robinho deal!

What is clear is City are moving in the right direction, Hughes has brought premier league experience with seasoned pros who are at the top of their game! Lescott would be a great addition, the fee is high, but of course less than what united paid for Ferdinand! The addition of a left-sided centre back is the biggest blessing; we failed to replace Sylvan Distin in that regard! We will be a better and more balances side for it!

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