Two of the players who I've talked about more than most on these pages left the club earlier in the week. Dietmar Hamann was, along with Michael Johnson, the key to the fantastic start the club had under Sven and the failure of Mark Hughes to realize that remains one of my biggest complaints about the manager.

It spoke volumes to me that Nigel de Jong was such a vital signing last January, specifically to fill the Hamann role. Given the capture of the Dutch international it was inevitable that Hamann would leave. A class player and we wish him well.

And another we wish well is Darius Vassell. Seriously. Tireless worker, he gave everything for the club. My issue with Vassell was that he stopped being Premier League quality a couple of seasons ago. It also didn't help that he was played out of position on the wing. Vassell remains an instinctive striker. Put him in the penalty area with no opportunity to think, just react, and the man can still score. I loved the scenes of the former England international being mobbed by fans of Turkish club Ankaragucu when he arrived in Ankara.

The John Terry affair is a curious thing. If the reports are true, and for the moment let us accept that this is the case, then City made an offer for the Chelsea and England captain in the past week. Unlike other clubs, Real Madrid, United and Chelsea, come to mind, this was not made in the media or through leaks to third parties. In fact no one would be the wiser except that Chelsea made a public statement that they had turned down an offer. That doesn't make any sense.

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to publicize the fact that City made an offer. At least the only reason that comes to mind is you would so such a thing if the club was planning to sell the player but needed to create a public appearance of reluctance. Otherwise why? I also don't for a moment believe the wages that are being quoted in the press. Such a number would create unrest at the club.

I don't see Chelsea selling as this is, in my estimation, their last season with the current team before they have to invest significantly in bringing in more youth to the team. But at some point the numbers get high enough that even Chelsea must look at cashing in on a player who will be 29-years-old in the upcoming season and plays with a reckless style that should dictate more injuries as he gets older.

Elsewhere... It would be very easy to make fun of United at the moment. Having lost Ronaldo and apparently Tevez and being outbid, it would seem, on their other targets they have turned to a beaten up Michael Owen. How the mighty have fallen and all that. There's just one problem. I really like this move.

As gambles go, you have a not yet 30-year-old England international striker who is desperate to get back into Capello's plans for the summer and can partner with the first choice England striker when he plays. Moreover this also addresses the issue that United had with Rooney, Berbatov and Tevez. In the new look United side, Rooney and Berbatov start with Owen as an excellent sub, where his pace can be used to advantage.

Rooney and Berbatov will miss games through the occasional injury or suspension and Owen becomes an excellent third option. And a possible 4-3-3 would be very interesting. Throw in the opportunity to play with and learn the passing preferences of Carrick and Hargreaves and it makes sense from both the player and the club's perspective.

The question will be asked would Owen have been a good gamble for City? Yes, but he is in all candour a much better fit at United. It may all come to nothing, but I suspect Old Purple Nose has done well this time. Darn!