Transfer window closed – so who makes Mancini’s 25?
The last day of the transfer window is done and it was quieter than anticipated for City fans. Robinho was the expected high profile exit and only Adam Clayton joined him in leaving Eastlands.
Shay Given, Roque Santa Cruz, Jo and Felipe Caicedo all remain along with Shaleum Logan and Kelvin Etuhu who also qualify for the 25 man senior squad. Given, Santa Cruz and the newly in favour Jo are surely set to be included in the squad, which gives us the following list.
Goalkeepers:
Joe Hart (home grown).
Shay Given (home grown).
Stuart Taylor (home grown).
Full backs:
Pablo Zabaleta (also midfield, left-back).
Wayne Bridge (home grown).
Aleksandar Kolarov (also midfield).
Micah Richards (home grown, also central defence).
Central defenders:
Vincent Kompany (also midfield).
Joleon Lescott (home grown).
Jerome Boateng (also right-back).
Kolo Toure.
Central midfielders:
Gareth Barry (home grown).
Nigel de Jong.
Patrick Vieira.
Yaya Toure(also central defence).
Creative midfielders:
David Silva (also winger).
Wingers:
Adam Johnson (home grown).
Shaun Wright-Phillips (home grown).
James Milner (home grown, also creative midfielder).
Strikers:
Emmanuel Adebayor.
Carlos Tevez.
Jo.
Roque Santa Cruz.
This provides us with 23 of the list, resulting in two the following four players missing out.
Michael Johnson (home grown).
Felipe Caicedo.
Kelvin Etuhu (home grown).
Shaleum Logan (home grown).
If Michael Johnson is fit sometime in October, then he ought to be worth a place. If we get past West Brom, then the Carling Cup could be an opportunity for him to get some match fitness.
It’s a surprise to see the other three still with the club, or not loaned out at any rate. Previously Caicedo has made the biggest impression in the Premier League, though if Adebayor is worried about his first team opportunities it really doesn’t bode well for Felipe. With our injured full-backs there’s a stronger case at present for Shaleum Logan even if he has struggled for first team action in the past.
Either way, if the club decide to make a signing or two in January, then there shouldn’t be much trouble accommodating them. So much for all the adverse speculation about our squad size.
Arguably the most notable result of today’s lack of activity is our surplus of strikers. Santa Cruz may not be Ibra or Dzeko but if he can improve his fitness levels, then he remains our best target man.
Roque is unlikely to start many league games, but could be an option from the bench. His quality could be of use in the cup competitions, which we are committed to in our quest for a trophy.
Jo showed in his Europa League outing that he prefers to play off a front man and Mancini sees Balotelli playing in the Bellamy position on the left. As a result all the strikers could feature, even if they don’t all get to start as often as they might like!
- Who would you have in the 25 man squad, and are you happy with today’s transfer activity?
hoho
31 August 2010 - 7:18 pm
Where is Balotelli ?!
Blue Days
31 August 2010 - 7:35 pm
Hoho and Jon, Balotelli doesn’t need to be included in the 25 as he’s under 21 (same as Boyata, Cunningham, etc.)
James Yates
31 August 2010 - 7:24 pm
Looking at your insightful categorization of the players, I notice a serious abscence of proven goalscorers. Fast goal-scoring wingers like Bellamy and Petrov will be painfully missed, leaving Tevez and Adebayor to score goals from the front. I’m sorry to be negative, but I think this squad clearly reflects an Italian defensive attitude so it’s not me being negative, it’s our Italian coach.
Jon
31 August 2010 - 7:29 pm
What about Mario Balotelli ?
TaffyBlue
31 August 2010 - 7:37 pm
YOU LEFT OUT BALLOTELLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blue Days
31 August 2010 - 8:08 pm
TaffyBlue, No I didn’t! The 25 man squad is for senior players. Balotelli’s included in the U-21 players, of which there can be any number.
CTID and maybe even later!
31 August 2010 - 11:53 pm
I am very concerned about our lack of firepower up front. We need a big target man and we are left with lazy Ade and injury prone RSC. I cannot believe that we didn’t just go out and pay way over rhe odds for a world class striker. I just hope that the lad Balotelli is as good as Mancini says!
Andy Arry
1 September 2010 - 1:27 am
Tevez will be playing behind Balotelli and Adebayor/Santa Cruz
– should make for some potential goalscoring!
Brunei Blue
1 September 2010 - 6:30 am
I dont think the 25 man squad is as big an issue for us as the media have been making out. Probably would have been better for RSC to find another club to get more game time, unfortunately his injuries have meant he never had enough time to play in a settled team, he did a decent job at blackburn and players dont go bad overnight. We’ll miss Bellas for his drive and commitment, hopefully Tevez can lead from the front.
Gratian
1 September 2010 - 9:36 am
Caceido has gone to Levante for the rest of the season so no need to worry about him. Shame as I think he could be more than useful if allowed to mature as a player.
jak
1 September 2010 - 11:08 am
Super Mario is the real deal, and does not have to go on the list this season, or next, because he is under age. He will light up the prem with his power shooting and be better than a goal every two games striker. This will allow our Captain to have more freedom when we go 442. Can’t wait to see him play when he is fit.