MY THOUGHTS: Clichy, Savić, Boateng, Given, Jô, Tévez
23 Jul
First of all, apologies over the lack of posts recently. I’ve been abroad working, so this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to divulge some thoughts about our transfer activity, namely the arrivals of Gaël Clichy and Stefan Savić, and the departures of Jérôme Boateng, Shay Given and Jô.
Gaël Clichy is an interesting signing. It was generally acknowledged by City fans (and especially on this blog) that Aleks Kolarov had a tough first season in the Premier League after his summer move. Although he showed promise and a thunderbolt of a left foot going forward, his defensive play was limited. Slow on the turn, lacking in positional sense, susceptible to any decent winger and the liability in the back four, manager Roberto Mancini quickly realised left back was a position that needed strengthening.
Whether Clichy does that however, is debatable. For the record, I think he’s better than Kolarov but not quite good enough for the level we need to be at. The big advantage is his experience of Champions League football with Arsenal, something that shouldn’t be overlooked, but I’m not sure he’s solid enough defensively. Like the Serbian, he loves going forward and does possess more subtlety than Kolarov, but whilst it is only right to give Clichy time to settle, he hasn’t shown for Arsenal the solidity I would like to see in City’s defence.
His arrival was followed shortly afterwards by former Patrizan Belgrade centre-back Stefan Savić, who joined for a fee around £7million. Capable of playing at right back if necessary, the Richard Ashcroft look-a-like has already earned the nickname ‘Robbie’ from his new teammates after a crunching challenge in training on Roberto Mancini.
I can’t confess to knowing a great deal about Savić, but the highly respected Tor Kristian Karlsen believes we have a good talent on our hands. “Very interesting centre back, seen him several times this year. Calm, cultured, never stresses when under pressure. Good passer of the ball, mobile, reasonably quick. Still very young, not extremely dominant but it’ll come.” He’s impressed so far in training and in the two games he’s played and will hope to challenge for a place in our first team in the not too distant future.
One defender who has left the club is Jérôme ‘J-Bo’ Boateng, the German having left to join Bayern Munich. He only signed last summer and arrived with a promising reputation after an impressive World Cup, but he failed to really settle in England. He looked comfortable in the centre of defence whenever given the chance there, but looked full of lethargy most of the time.
He could have made the right full back slot his own, but never conveyed the impression that he was fully committed to the cause, often shirking tackles and hesitant to advance further than the halfway line. I think he has the potential to be a very good player, but it wasn’t to be at City and I wish him the best of luck at Bayern Munich.
After player to leave is goalkeeper Shay Given, who agreed to move to Aston Villa on a five year contract. The Irishman was a popular figure within our squad and is still one of the best ‘keepers in the Premier League. He grew understandably frustrated at being second choice to Joe Hart, and only made four starts over the course of last season.
To be fair, Hart’s superb form vindicated Mancini’s decision to name him as number one, but it was a bitter blow for Given to be left on the bench the whole time. I’m sure he will be a great addition to Villa but let’s hope he has an off day whenever we meet!
Brazilian striker Jô has also departed the club in the past couple of days, joining Internacional. Suffice to say, he won’t be missed. I think he produced one good performance for us, away at Fulham last season, but was an appalling signing. Loved his parties, very good on the dance floor, but pathetic on a football pitch. His departure brings to an end our spell of having at least one Brazilian at the club, whether it was Robinho, Geovanni, Elano or Glauber Berti. João Alves de Assis Silva, bye.
The Carlos Tévez saga drags on and on. It’s an ongoing drama which deserves more than a couple of paragraphs so I’ll jot down a few thoughts on the matter in the near future.
So that is where the transfer activity is up to at the moment. I’m sure there will be more arrivals and departures shortly as we head towards the new season. Are you happy with our business so far? Who would you like to see come into the squad and who do we need to ship out? Let me know your thoughts below.
Aleks Kolarov showed promise going forward?? we must have been watching a different player. thunderbolt of a left foot?? he just hits it so hard and 2 out of a hundred happened to go in
I would say that our transfer business so far can be described as unsurprising. You’re right that Jo won’t be missed, although with the imminent departure of Tevez we could do with another striker to back up Balotelli and Dzeko, who are both prone to problems, be it tantrums or lack of form.
My only disagreement with you is about Clichy. I challenge you to name 5 better left backs in the premier league at the moment. World class left-backs are incredibly rare, and I personally rate Clichy highly. As you diplomatically suggest, he can’t be worse than Kolarov with regards defending, as Kolarov was clueless. He also has experience playing for a top club at the top level. I think he’s a great buy.
Anyone else worried about how strong Liverpool might be next year?
Clichy is an excellent signing who would finally bring stability to LB. Unfortunately Kolarov is on the verge of becoming another expensive flop like JO.
I believe we need two more signings. One in central mid-field to back up David Silva and a high caliber winger to add some needed width to the team. Adam, Milner and Shaun are good but they still a bit short of having the winger edge to make an impact much like Nani
You are kidding me right? Clichy will offer more stability than Kolarov? At least Kolarov can tackle, he is sometimes out of position because he is allowed to venture forward (which is something that he is extremely good at). Ok, so Clichy is an attacking left-back also? how many goals did he score for aresonal? He crumbles in front of the goal and rarely hits a good cross like Kolarov does. The ONLY advantage Clichy has is his speed, that of which is not too much different to Kolarov.
Oh, COME ON! You’re actually comparing Clichy to KOLAROV?? Kolarov is a clueless person, and, as anon said, he just shoots hard and hopes in. He can’t even make a decent pass! I highly rate Clichy as being MUCH better than Kolarov, Boateng, or that waste of time, JO.
I’m worried too, about Liverpool, but the number of goals they conceded in the friendlies are just RIDICULOUS.