ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- Top Summer Transfers: Part One

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 09/06/2011

Time for my now traditional annual look at the transfer window. It’s a measure this year of the quality that moved into and/or around the Premier League that when I first started to analyze the transfer window I had 27 names that stood out and those did not include Wilson Palacios, Jay Bothroyd, Daniel Ayala, Yohan Cabaye, David De Gea, Alexander Doni, Bryan Ruiz, Raul Meireles, David Ngog, Alan Hutton or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

I initially cut down to 25 by removing Liverpool’s Sebastian Coates and City’s Stefan Savic both young players that I feel are excellent long term prospects for their respective clubs. Savic in particular when I saw him in person this summer did all the little things right. Each and every time he made the smart simple pass rather than looking to be “clever.” I like that in a defender.

Romelu Lukaku, a very promising youngster and Scott Dann a vastly under rated defender were next to face the axe as were two former City stalwarts, Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips. SWP was the best player on the pitch when City played Club America in the Herbalife World Football Challenge at AT&T Park in San Francisco in July and his performance that day had me hoping that Roberto Mancini could find a place for him this year. Alas this was not to be and I believe QPR may have done a useful business to pick him up. Similarly the departure of Craig Bellamy is one that I greatly lament. While I believe his impact at Liverpool will be less than it could have been if Mancini had returned him to the first team at City, the Welshman remains a player with a frightening level of speed. Liverpool will be better because of the “nutter with the putter,” still the best nickname of the past few years.

This brings me to Connor Wickham and his arrival at Sunderland. The former Ipswich man wins the "coveted" last man out award, which last year went to Raul Meireles.

As always please remember that loan signings don't count. This is only for permanent moves.

20. Matthew Upson/Jonathan Woodgate Stoke from West Ham and Spurs
Ok so I cheated on this one, but as a combination picking up two former English internationals on free transfers is pretty impressive. Woodgate remains the most unfortunate player of his generation. On his day easily the best pure defender in the Premier League and truly world class. Alas those days have been few and far between. Upson is not to far removed from the England squad and is a useful addition.

19. Owen Hargreaves Manchester City from Manchester United
I accept that this will probably be the most controversial name on the list, but Hargreaves has the potential to be the most important player acquired by any club during the transfer window. City, while flying high, have an extreme vulnerability should Nigel de Jong go down. Hargreaves is that insurance and even with his injury history, in fact because of it, represents a brilliant calculated risk. A top quality back up would usually have been highly expensive, but Hargreaves comes with minimal cost and a fit Hargreaves is a very useful player to have.

18. Roger Johnson Wolves from Birmingham City
This might be my favourite move of the summer. After struggling for a couple of years in the top flight this is the sort of smart under the radar signing that allows a team to build a foundation. Probably the only surprise was that Wolves didn't snag his defensive partner Scott Dann who ended up at Blackburn.

17. Zoltan Gera West Brom from Fulham
I am an unabashed fan of Gera and have been since his first stint with West Brom. The Hungarian captain was consistently the best player on the field during the infamous "great escape" season and brought an infectious enthusiasm that I would liken to a lesser Tim Cahill. Curiously like the Everton player, Gera is also good in the air.

16. Samir Nasri Manchester City from Arsenal
I am in the minority on this one. I'm not sold, despite the demolition of Spurs, that Nasri has a place in the starting line up when Silva is playing. I'd be happy to be proved wrong and the Nasri that started last year was one of the best players in all of the Premier League. It's just that I've never been overly impressed with Nasri as a long term week in and week out contributor. Arsenal fans are reeling right now with his loss and that of Cesc Fabregas, but eventually I believe Wilshere and Ramsey will be seen as a superior duo.

15. Mikel Arteta Arsenal from Everton
Interesting pick. The Arteta of two years ago was rather useful. I'm not sure this wasn't a panic buy by Wenger when there were significantly better players available that would have made more sense. The subsequent news that Jack Wilshere is out for longer than expected makes this a good move... there were just greater ones to be had.

14. Jordan Henderson Liverpool from Sunderland
The current captain of the England Under-21 team, Henderson represents Liverpool's current focus on young UK talent. While Henderson did not shine in his England debut, the long term potential is there.

13. Davide Santon Newcastle from Inter Milan
Couple of big ifs come with this signing. If Santon is as good as people in the game think he is and if he settles on Tyneside, then this could be the steal of the transfer window. I'm hard pressed to name an Italian defender who has played in the Premier league. Festa probably for Boro... but that speaks volumes.

12. Peter Crouch Stoke from Spurs
Possibly the most misused footballer in the history of English international football. Crouch is utterly prolific against lesser footballing nations where his size and skill completely overwhelms the opposition. However you can maintain the argument, depending on how you classify Mexico and the recent French vintage, that Crouch has never scored against a decent international team and has in fact been conspicuous in his inability to hit the net against quality opponents. It's that lack of goals that moved him on from Spurs, scoring just 4 league goals this past season. I've a sneaking suspicion that the wing play of Stoke will benefit Crouch this year.

11. Charlie Adam Liverpool from Blackpool
A revelation last year for Ian Holloway's side, Adam steps up to a much bigger stage at Liverpool. How Kenny Dalglish manages all of his new additions will be fascinating to see. I'm not convinced there are enough games for Adam and Henderson when Steven Gerrard is fit when looking at the other midfield options.

Part Two will conclude the Top 20 tomorrow.

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Comments

Posted by Jim Kanichirayil-Chicago on 09/07/2011

The Liverpool transfers are really puzzling. How many midfielders can you have on a club? I thought it was one of their stronger positions coming into the season and yet they piled on. I would have thought they would have gone for more squad players instead of what they did. Then again, you had mentioned that CITY should have gone the squad route too. I am still not convinced that Nasri and Silva on the same field is a good idea. I would have thought a Dempsey pick up would have made more sense.

Wallace Reply Would love to have seen Dempsey join the club.

Posted by Marty on 09/07/2011

Agreed on the Hargreaves pickup. An absolute steal. I disagree about Adam though. He is a huge defensive liability in the middle of the park and rivals Paul Scholes for tackling ability. With Adam, Henderson, and Lucas playing together, Liverpool have no width apart from Downing (which neutralizes Carroll) and only Lucas provides any cover in the center of midfield.

Wallace Reply And Gerrard also. Who partners Gerrard in a 4-4-2 or do Liverpool play five across the middle with Gerrard playing almost off of Carroll? Would love to hear from the Liverpool fans, there are some pretty knowledgeable ones who read this blog...

Posted by brother jon on 09/07/2011

#13- Andrea Dossena, LFC. like you said... speaks volumes.
more importantly, what would a de Jong injury mean if Hargraves remains FUBAR? would it drastically change how they play?

Wallace Reply Ah, there you go. A de Jong injury is my biggest concern as I don't feel Yaya Toure is a good fit in that role. It's another reason for City to have a world class central defender as Kompany could then move forward into the position if needed.

Posted by Sam on 09/07/2011

Interesting list. With so many ins and outs this year it was always going to be difficult. On Santon, as an Inter supporter I was heart broken to see him go. He had come through the youth ranks and showed enormous promise, particularly against Ronaldo in the CL a few years back. Unfortunately an injury, Mourinho leaving, living a lifestyle not quite professional and other matters have seen him fall from the picture at Inter the last couple of seasons. Even a loan stint at Cesena failed to rejuvinate him. If Newcastle can find that spark then they have an absolute star on their hands as he is only 20 but the last couple of seasons have had him move on a downward trajectory.
With Nasri. Agree completely. He all but disappeared for Arsenal in the last few months of last season. If Mancini can get consistancy out of him then it will be a fantastic addition!

Wallace Reply At a reported 5 million, Santon seems like a risk worth taking. Nice business by Newcastle.

Posted by Dale Ashcroft on 09/07/2011

As you have seen at the start of this season Liverpool do have width with henderson and downing. And Adam is a great signing with the balls he plays. When gerrard returns I think that he will play just behind Suarez much like when the old number 9 was around and that partnership was devastating to other defences. Lucas provides Suficiant cover and mid field defender just protecting the back four. Either way when gerrard returns I want him to have to fight for his place as we have a good mid at the min

Wallace Reply Not sure Henderson's best place is out wide...

Posted by Hari on 09/07/2011

Wallace,
thouughts on the spurs victory??
and mancini's comment that "silva always starts on the wing and then moves to the center"which clashes with your assessment that silva is wasted on the wing??

Wallace Reply I've unfortunately only seen snippets of the Spurs win as I was flying off to be in the way of hurricane Irene...

Mancini's comments don't make much sense other than Silva being wasted on the wing last year when the team played a Christmas tree formation. I'll watch Silva specifically in the next few games to see that.

Posted by Jerry on 09/07/2011

Your comment at the beginning about Stefan Savic was spot on "...did all the little things right". I love his strength and he has kept everything in front of him during his short stint with City. I don't want to say that he will be the best defender in the world in a couple of years, but he is well on his well to becoming a very good central defender in the PL.

Wallace Reply Savic also seemed to have an immediate understanding with de Jong, which doesn't hurt.

Posted by fan from melbourne on 09/07/2011

I honestly dont see a problem if De Jong was injured. the way yaya and barry were defensive while aguero, silva and nasri played about was quite entertaining to watch. and with 5-1 i really think it worked against spurs. last season we mightve need tevez and de jong, but this season looks entirely different. im not saying we dont need de jong and would definitely like city giving him a new contract soon!

Wallace Reply City caught Spurs on an off day with the whole Modric saga. If City can make that formation work against top teams, it will be excellent news.

Posted by john on 09/07/2011

Hendersons best position isn't out wide its central but much like gerrards first few seasons he was blooded in on the right. Henderson delivers a great cross as seen in the bolton match, he really has top potential. When gerrard does come back I doubt they'll play 442 I see a 4231 that shifts into a 433 in possion, but very fulid. I think carroll gets dropped, and gerrard sits in the hole behind suarez with downing and henderson the other of the 3 behind the striker. I also can see gerrard on the right with henderson dropped and suarez behind carroll. Anyway you slice it kenny has lots of choices, I think the lineup will differ week to week depending on who they play.

Wallace Reply I can't see paying all that money for Andy Carroll and then dropping him in the "best" lineup...

Posted by harry on 09/07/2011

Gerrard can play off lone striker suarez. Henderson so far looks quite effective, while adam is also working well. Carroll will be dropped as he isn't that good.He will have to play a bit part role this season and hopefully he can improve over time.

Posted by john on 09/07/2011

I dont think prices paid matter in terms of a best starting 11, JWH evens said after the Torres transfer that he didnt care how much they spent on Carroll as long as they got to pocket 15m, which coupled with Babels transfer to Germany makes Suarez free. Also at 22 Carroll has time to grow into the team, I dont think anyone besides Enrique knows how to play with him. Carroll is one for the future even more so the Henderson, with Kennys keep it on the deck, pass and move football Suarez up front on his own, or with Gerrard as a second striker, is LFC's best bet. Carroll can come off the bench to change the way a match is going or start aginst teams that he matchs up well agianst. But all in all I dont think there is a uniform best 11, itll more be as the saying goes horses for courses.

Wallace Reply Cool... appreciate the thoughts.

Posted by Hari on 09/07/2011

Wallace,
dont you feel city have too many good players now especially in midfield? silva nasri toure barry started against spurs.....but adam johnson and milner were both on the bench...is it too many players or do we need this kind of strength now that we are playing in so many competitions?(ps nasri is already injured it seems)

Wallace Reply Milner is, I feel, the long term replacement for Barry. Johnson will work well in certain formations and the earlier comment about Nasri's crossing could give City some interesting width.

Posted by KARAN on 09/07/2011

nasri injured .:(:(......wat do u think will be the formation for mancity and who would be the best starting 11 for city at this very momment ..wallace when gerrard comes back who will go out??...i think some one should have snapped bale and baines in the transfer market......modric has to show his great form as last season otherwise it would certainly be a waste rejecting an offer from chelsea worth 40 million ....

Wallace Reply I'd go back to the inter diamond with Aguero and Dzeko up top...

Posted by Mike on 09/07/2011

LFC fan here, since the day Carroll was bought I've wanted Suarez/Kuyt up top. Stylistically it just more pleasing, and with them, Meireles and Maxi they had kind of a Rooney/Tevez thing going in that they all switch around all game. They go center diagonally, drop the ball to the other, find someone else making a diagonal run, feint, drop it off, etc.

Carroll is like a blackhole, it's like watching a 17 year old who just grew like 9 inches over the summer and has no control over his body and first touch, it slows it up so much. He was great against city, but has been "meh" against most every other game.

Now with Meireles gone (wow, that was annoying, right?), it's Suarez/Kuyt up top, Downing and either Gerrard or Adam. Adam will get chances, because we just have no faith gerrard can go 3 games without injuring himself. Adam is a liability defensively, but 3 games in you can tell Kenny has told him to improve it, he's played better D lately, I've been ok with his play yet

Wallace Reply Really interesting the comments we are hearing about Carroll...

Posted by cpearcy126 on 09/08/2011

Most of what has been said, I have to agree with. Although in City's case I am not completely sold on Milner as a long term replacement for Barry. I'm simply not a fan. Also, reverting to one of the initial comments made about Liverpool's midfield. It's understandable to feel Liverpool are solid in this area with the likes of Stevie G up front and solid simple defend-and-pass mentality of Lucas. But Liverpool have been in dire need of a midfielder AT LEAST dating back to the post Riera era, who I also wasn't ever entirely sold on. At most there are one too many...for a starting line-up. Personally I feel Liverpool would benefit from running a 3-5-2 when Kelly or Johnson are fit on the right and Enrique on the left. They are all fast enough with two defensive mids to help out, if needed. Any thoughts Wallace?

Wallace Reply Liverpool have never been the same since Alonso left... With Johnson's attack forst mentality a 3-5-2 would be interesting to see in action.

Posted by MCFC Boy on 09/08/2011

Although not a Liverpool fan, I do want to throw my 2 cents in. Even with the midfield strength they bought over the summer, I am very surprised they let Meireles go. Had an amazing season and had a great understanding with Lucas.
I don't think Henderson's best position is on the wing. As someone mentioned in an earlier reply, it's like when they shoved Gerrard out to the right early in his career. He can play there well but it's not his position. I would think Kuyt would be a better fit on the right.
Honestly, Liverpool have so many players who can play a 2nd strikers role (Gerrard, Adam, Suarez, Kuyt) so it's hard to just pick one person. However, I feel Adam might be the best bet for that with Suarez playing further up field since Carroll is not up to Liverpool standard yet. Gerrard and Lucas playing in the center of the pitch with Gerrard having license to make late runs into the box but still not neglecting his defensive duties.
Thoughts ?

Wallace Reply Lots of well thought out comments about Liverpool and I'm looking forward to watching their next few games.

Posted by Richie Rich on 09/08/2011

Not an LFC fan,but i think king kenny has to resist the lure of feilding too many natural central midfielders at the same time(just bcos he has them) and strive to balance d team by their natural abilities..a simple 4,3,3 formation wit lucas,gerard and adam in mdfld alongside downing,kuyt and suarez in attack is their best bet. Just take a look at d manutd squad..although they hav d largest no of out and out strikers in europe(seven in number),SAF understands he has to resist d lure of feilding more dan 2 strikers at d same time in order to keep their basic 4,4,2 formation intact..your thots,Wallace?

Wallace Reply My "concern" for Liverpool is that they have too many players who expect to start and that will cause some discord. Looking forward to seeing them though.

Posted by Sean on 09/08/2011

I hope Liverpool play great football finish about 7th and entertain me everytime I watch them. And hopefully someone punches Jamie carragher this year.. Now to my mcfc. Are you going to do a review if spurs game Wallace ? If you haven't seen the whole thing make sure you do. We killed them :)

Wallace Reply Liverpool will qualify for the CL this year.

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