An old school pal of mine was in town this week. He had, coincidently, just returned from a business trip to Barcelona. And the question was asked of his football fanatic hosts. How about Eto'o? And the reaction was universally negative. Surprisingly so. They loved the idea of City, or anyone else, taking him off their hands and generating enough funds to bring in another striker. Interesting reaction.
The same websites and newspapers that were all talking about Eto'o arriving on Monday are all following up with the idea that the Cameroon international will stay at Barcelona. Essentially 48 hours of everybody getting worked up for nothing. Apparently it sells newspapers.
And let us not forget that the African Nations Cup is in January and Cameroon have already qualified which will mean the loss of Eto'o for weeks. It's the same reason why I keep expecting Adebayor to leave Arsenal. As long as the tournament is scheduled during the domestic season I'd personally not sign a single player that was potentially eligible to be involved.
Early thoughts on Eto'o
Elsewhere... no surprise that Germany beat England in the U21 final. England's fate was sealed when they failed to knock out Germany in the group stage.
Chelsea are said to be signing Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow. The Russian international can play both left midfield and left full-back and I find the possible signing perplexing. Ashley Cole and Joe Cole, 28 and 27 respectively, are in the prime of their career. You don't pay £18m for someone to sit on the bench.
Would someone like Joe Cole be available? He was sensational under Mourinho in the same 4-3-3 formation that appears to be on the cards for City this year. As previously discussed City have an embarrassment of riches in the midfield, but Joe Cole is one of my personal favourites. Would be interesting to see if Mark Hughes rates him.
Chelsea are also setting themselves up to have their fine from UEFA increased by appealing against the punishment they received after the Barcelona Champions League semi-final debacle.
Comments
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Posted by Noah Wexler on 06/30/2009
I have thought about J.Cole as an option before as well. His injury last year has to be a concern for both Chelsea and a prospective buyer, but there is no doubt of his ability when healthy. He is one of the few true left-sided midfielders in the game and has shown to be one of the most opportunistic and creative players in the EPL. To put it simply he is unique and would be a unbelievable asset to City. As for Eto'o he while expensive would provide City with the best pure striker in the premier league. Man U have - Berba (Eto'o is better), Chelsea - Drogba/Anelka (Eto'o is better), Liverpool - Torres (This is a hard one I may have to go with Torres), Arsenal - ? (Eto'o is better). While the signing would relegate someone to the bench (RSC?) city will no doubt encounter injuries and the African cup will take time away as well. I would rather add Cole, The Toure Brothers, and Hangeland or Lescott but I am not gonna complain, at least we are making an effort.
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Posted by Faizal Wahab on 07/02/2009
Even though I am not man city supporter, I think buying eto'o is not a good investment. I know is a gamble/risk a manager has to take sometimes but eto'o is at his peak of his talent/performances and he can't get any better. He may end up like Shevchenko not even score more than 15 goals per season. Premier league is different than spanish league. And another thing is eto'o already set his mind to stay in Barcelona and he already won everything with them. If he plays with man city he has to wait for another year may be before he can play in champions league again. I know money is not a problem to man city but at the end is all up to eto'o. That's what i think....
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Posted by Baka on 07/03/2009
i don't understand, why city is keep on looking for the striker. i think we have already enough n sufficient striker in our squad.
city should concern on midfield and defence, which has shown weakest season in 08/09, whereas we are cash-rich team, could buy anybody in cash.
enhance our marketing aspect by puchasing 5 stars player as many as possible to attract more high profile player to come and play in the city.
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Posted by ondyek on 07/03/2009
Etoo's strength , pace and his natural ability to score would make him awesome in the premier league...infact, i would bet on Etoo being the premiership all time leading goal scorer......
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Posted by Adam M on 07/03/2009
I think it would be a fantastic signing and i dont even support ManC, we all saw how the pace of Cisse could leave the big defenders of the EPL trailing in his wake. The only problem was Cisse is not a finisher, he scuffed so many chances that he could easily get 20+ goals a season.
Eto'o is that finisher and with similar pace, he would work well.
As for Joe Cole always hear whispers about him wanting to join liverpool and Benitez being a big fan, i get the feeling that Chelsea can't sell him for much but if Liverpool put in an offer will he really accept going to ManC? In any case if he heads to Manchester his salary will be very high.
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Posted by patrick on 07/03/2009
I strongly believe in the ability of Eto'o to score great goals. It is welcome since it adds competition for the premier league title but i would still bet that teams have to work harder than last season if they intend to beat the red devils to the title. Again I feel Man U are ready for the title again.
Posted by sadiq on 07/13/2009
man city just leave eto to man united and sign tevez, trezeguet terry
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Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
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