Another huge day for City in the transfer market sees a deal for James Milner finally agreed with Stephen Ireland heading to Villa in part exchange. The exact breakdown of the deal isn’t clear with figures of between £16.5m and £18m said to be going to Villa plus extras. Ireland may be getting £1m for his pay-off.
Cardiff are to be congratulated on beating a host of clubs to the loan signing of Craig Bellamy.
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With the international friendlies over, it’s back to transfer dealings in what looks like being a busy 48 hours before the season opener against Tottenham.
According to the Birmingham Mail, James Milner was all set to drive up to Manchester last night, until Villa told him otherwise. A hitch regarding Stephen Ireland’s move to Villa was cited as the reason.
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There’s virtually no chance of Craig Bellamy remaining with City and not making the final squad of 25. Most supporters would have him in the squad based on his performances last season. Whether Roberto Mancini is quite so enamoured with Bellamy’s qualities may be open to question.
If the Welshman is likely to be on the fringes of things at City, then a transfer could be arranged with one of the numerous teams who would be glad to have him. In the event of the transfer window being about to close with a deal not in place, then a loan could be arranged.
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Against Arsenal it was initially his work-rate that impressed as we sought to keep Arsnal’s passing moves at bay. There was a decent opportunity where he turned and hit the ball at Almunia. This proved to be a warm-up as he took a second chance with a better connection to score his first of the season.
Arguably his contribution to the fourth goal was even more impressive. Tracking back and dispossessing Clichy with an excellent challenge, he turned defence into attack, sprinted upfield before laying the ball off for Wright-Phillips to score.
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