City plan to keep Johnson

Johnson: Part of Mancini's plans at City this season but Wright-Phillips could be allowed to leave

Roberto Mancini insists Adam Johnson will not be allowed to leave Manchester City, but plans to hold talks with Shaun Wright-Phillips over his future at the club.

England winger Johnson has been linked with season-long loan moves to Everton and Sunderland after finding himself in and out of Mancini's starting line-up last term.
Fellow wide-man Wright-Phillips, meanwhile, is a target for Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic after starting just two games in the Premier League last season.
Mancini believes both players are important to City, however, he appeared to open the door to Wright-Phillips' exit after admitting the 29-year-old deserves to play on a regular basis.

Difficult

"Adam Johnson, sure 100%," replied Mancini when asked if the winger, Gareth Barry and Wright-Phillips are important for the first team after the trio started the Dublin Cup win over an Airtricity XI.
"Gareth is the same, but Shaun is a different question.
"He was born in Man City, he is an important player for Man City. For me, it's difficult to put him on the bench.
"A player like Shaun deserves to play every game because he's a strong player. But now, we have so many players it's not easy for him.
"I need to speak with him in the next days. It's difficult because Shaun is a good guy."
When asked if he would allow Johnson to leave City, Mancini replied: "No."

Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez: Head-to-head

 

Sergio Aguero in Manchester on Wednesday

 

Manchester City could yet line up with an all-Argentinian strike force if Carlos Tevez fails to secure a move away from the Blues.

Sergio Aguero is set to spearhead City's attack next season after completing his move, and here we compare the two players who were born just 16 miles apart near Buenos Aires.

BACKGROUND

Born in Quilmes four years after Tevez, Aguero became the youngest player to debut in the Argentinian First Division at 15 years and 35 days for Independiente, breaking the previous record set in 1976 by Diego Maradona, who coincidentally later became his father-in-law. Tevez, born in Ciudadela in Greater Buenos Aires, made his debut for Boca Juniors aged 17.

TRANSFERS

After three years with Independiente, Aguero moved to Spanish side Atletico Madrid for £20million. City is only his third professional club. Tevez spent nearly four years at Boca before crossing the border to join Brazilian side Corinthians. Just over two years later he moved to West Ham and 12 months later signed for Manchester United. Two years later he had moved to City but within another two Tevez wanted out for family reasons.

GOALSCORING

Aguero scored 102 goals in 234 appearances for Atletico, scoring 20 league goals last season. He also has 13 goals in 30 matches for Argentina. Tevez, who has scored 43 goals in 63 games for City, also hit 20 league goals and scored 13 goals in 59 internationals.

STYLE

Aguero has good ball control, is a powerful runner, a good finisher and able to create his own chances. Tevez has many of the same qualities; he is strong on the ball, has decent close control and although he prefers to come from deeper is a threat anywhere inside or outside the penalty area.

Kun can charm City's fanbase

 

Aguero scored 20 goals in La Liga for Atletico last season 

 

Sergio Aguero who has the nickname Kun says he has joined a club that will be "fighting every year to win major trophies" after completing his move from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City.

The Argentina international arrived in England on Wednesday to finalise the transfer for a reported £38m.
On Thursday evening the club announced Aguero had signed a five-year deal.
The club said the striker, 23, was likely to be in their squad for the weekend's Dublin Super Cup tournament.
Aguero, who will wear number 16, told City's official website: "I think we are a team that in future will be fighting every year to win major trophies.
"When we were talking I asked my agents to do everything they could because this was a good club and I'd always wanted to play in the Premier League. It felt right.

SERGIO AGUERO AT-A-GLANCE

 

• Born June 1988 in Quilmes
• Won two Fifa Under-20 World Cup titles with Argentina
• Moved from Independiente to Atletico Madrid in 2006
• Had a son with Diego Maradona's daughter Giannina in 2009
• Played in Europa League final win over Fulham in 2010
• He has scored 74 goals in 175 games for Atletico

"I don't think I'll have too many problems settling into the team. I'll obviously be doing my best to do what the manager asks and try to work the way he wants me to."
Asked about adjusting to life in England, he added: "Firstly I don't like very hot weather so on that side of things I'll be ok. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy myself here and life will be fine."
Earlier on Thursday, Aguero had Tweeted: "I'm already a City player. Happy to be in this club and this city."
City pressed on with the move despite the collapse of Carlos Tevez's proposed switch to Corinthians.
The striker, nicknamed 'Kun', also interested Real Madrid and Juventus but has become the most expensive signing in City's history, eclipsing the £32.5m paid for Robinho in 2008.
Neither Real nor Juventus met Atletico's valuation of the striker.
Aguero flew in from Buenos Aires, via Heathrow, early on Wednesday morning and went straight to a private Manchester hospital to undergo his medical.

The comparisons with Diego Maradona are inevitable, but in style I think he is closer to Romario. He is very, very powerful from his waist down but relatively slight on top. He is extremely skilful in tight space but he can also bring the ball down and make something happen. He really could be amongst the best five of six players in the world.

He then had a brief stop at City's stadium in the early evening, and, after holding discussions with City officials, he happily signed autographs for the growing crowd of fans who had gathered.
Corinthians, meanwhile, pulled out of their bid to take Tevez back to Brazil last week after initially agreeing a £38.6m transfer.
That translated as 40m euros plus 4m euros in add-ons and City were happy to accept payment in instalments as part of the deal, but Corinthians were unable or unwilling to provide the customary bank guarantees associated with a deal of such magnitude.
Tevez's desire to leave City remains as strong as ever, but he may face an added complication as City are unlikely to accept a similar fee to that offered by Corinthians from any of the top European clubs considering an approach for the 27-year-old Argentine.

‘I’m already a City player’ tweets Aguero as £38m deal is all tied up

 

Sergio Aguero pens an autograph for a Blues fan after completing his medical in Manchester on Wednesday

 

City will today seal a record-breaking £38m deal for Argentine superstar Sergio Aguero.

After a whirlwind day of activity, the 23-year-old striker left the Etihad Stadium last night after thrashing out the terms of a five-year contract which is set to be worth £200,000 a week.

Though the Blues were still to confirm the deal, Aguero was already declaring he was a Blue.

“I’m already a City player. Happy to be in this club and this city. Thank you all for the welcome and the reception!” he wrote on his Twitter account.

Aguero had cut short a family holiday to jet into Manchester from Buenos Aires yesterday morning to complete what will be the biggest move of the summer transfer window.

He was whisked off to the Bridgewater Hospital in Whalley Range for a three-hour medical before heading to the Etihad Stadium where he was greeted by scores of City fans ahead of meeting chief executive Gary Cook and football administrator Brian Marwood.

The £38m fee agreed with Atletico Madrid will make Aguero - who is married to Diego Maradona’s youngster daughter Giannina - City’s record buy, eclipsing the £32.5m the Blues paid Real Madrid for Robinho in 2008.

Sergio Aguero confident over move to Manchester City

Manchester City new signing Sergio Aguero arrives at Manchester Airport

 

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero is confident his £38million move to Manchester City will be completed soon after he arrived in England to meet club officials.

The 23-year-old Argentina international was at City's Carrington training ground this morning having cut short a holiday in his homeland to fly in to finalise contract negotiations and undergo a medical.

Aguero, the son-in-law of Diego Maradona, is currently on leave having been involved in the Copa America.

"Just arrived in Manchester to finalise the details of signing with City," Aguero wrote on Twitter.

"Everything is going very well! I'll tell you more in a while."

SWP vows to fight for deal

Wright-Phillips: 

Has forced his way back into Mancini's plans during pre-season

Shaun Wright-Phillips hopes he can convince Roberto Mancini to hand him a new contract at Manchester City.

The England international slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium last season, culminating in him being left out of City's squad for the FA Cup final.
It appeared as though his fate had been sealed, with a summer switch widely touted.
Bolton were understood to be leading the chase for his signature, while Wigan were also keen to keep him in the north west.
Wright-Phillips has enjoyed a productive pre-season programme with City, though, and has now set his sights on earning an extended stay with the Blues.

Hard

"I would love to earn a new contract. I want to stay here beyond the end of this coming season."
Shaun Wright-Phillips 

He said: "It was hard for me last year when I was left out of the FA Cup final team.
"I thought it might be the end, but I'm not one to give up.
"I would love to earn a new contract. I want to stay here beyond the end of this coming season.
"Since reporting back for training I have really got my head down and given 100 per cent.
"I haven't spoken to the manager, but it has gone well for me and I will never give up on City."

Man City manager Mancini confident of Aguero transfer

 
Aguero scored 20 goals in La Liga for Atletico last season 
 

Manchester City are closing in on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

The move comes despite the deadlock in Carlos Tevez's proposed move to Brazilian outfit Corinthians.
The Tevez transfer is on hold after the Brazilian side contradicted City boss Roberto Mancini's claim that a deal had been agreed.
But City are confident they can beat Juventus and Real Madrid to sign his Argentina team-mate Aguero.
Mancini's original plan was to wait until the Tevez deal was concluded before moving for Aguero and Corinthians need to move quickly to complete the transfer before the Brazilian window closes on 20 July.
Corinthians said in a statement that City "have asked for changes in the form of payment and on the value of the transfer" that would finally see Tevez leave after a protracted transfer saga.
City officials are privately frustrated by the delay - but BBC Sport understands they are satisfied they are making good progress in negotiations with Atletico that would see Aguero, 23, arrive as an instant and ready-made replacement for his fellow countryman.

SERGIO AGUERO AT-A-GLANCE

 

• Born June 1988 in Quilmes
• Won two FIFA Under-20 World Cup titles with Argentina
• Moved from Independiente to Atletico Madrid in 2006
• Had a son with Diego Maradona's daughter Giannina in 2009
• Played in Europa League final win over Fulham in 2010

It is believed the only change requested to the offer accepted by City for Tevez, which was £38.6m - 40m euros plus 4m euros in add-ons - was a minor detail in the first instalment of payment and did not relate to the value of the deal.
City are also not requesting any sell-on clause in the deal, despite reducing their original asking price to give Tevez his wish to be reunited with his family in South America.
Aguero has made it clear he expects to leave Atletico in the coming weeks and City are confident they can beat off competition from Europe's leading clubs to sign one of Europe's most coveted young talents.
He scored 20 goals in La Liga for Atletico last season, and has scored 13 goals in 30 games for Argentina.
City beat Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in a friendly on Monday, coming from a goal down thanks to a header from John Guidetti and a long-range strike from Shaun Wright-Phillips.
After the game, midfielder Gareth Barry said the players had been discussing the Tevez situation.
"There has obviously been the odd chat about Carlos," he said. "He has made it clear he is ready to leave and the players will respect his decision. It is down to the club to decide what fee they want for Carlos."
"We would be sad to lose him because he is a class player who has worked really hard for the club.
"If you believe what you read, then yes, he has played his last game."

Manchester City's Carlos Tevez in talks with Inter Milan

 

Carlos Tevez and his family on holiday in Sardinia

 

Carlos Tevez has met an Inter Milan official while on a family holiday in Sardinia.

City have not given permission for their star striker to talk to the Italian club but it is unclear whether the meeting was by chance or the precursor to a possible bid.

MEN Sport exclusively reported that Inter were interested in doing a deal for Tevez earlier this week, and were planning to explore the possibility of a swap deal involving Dutch midfield star Wesley Sneijder.

That received a cool response from City, who would prefer a straight cash deal in order to fund the impending purchase of Sergio Aguero.

But Milan is one location which Tevez has repeatedly mooted as a possible destination, as he feels his wife and family would feel more at home with the Italian language and culture than in Manchester. He spent a week in Milan in April, having treatment on the hamstring injury which ruled him out of the FA Cup semi-final, raising eyebrows at the time that a switch to Inter might be on.

And several Italian newspapers reported that a £30m bid from Inter had been turned down by City later that month, although the Blues denied it.

Asked about the latest on Tevez, manager Roberto Mancini said from the team hotel in Los Angeles: “At the moment, Carlos is still a City player, like yesterday, and like three days ago. We will see what can happen but for us he is an important player.

“Carlos wants to leave to go to Argentina or another country for his family. Only for this have the club said he could go, because we respect his reasons.”

Mancini also did not want to be drawn on the issue of captaincy, with it likely that Tevez – if he is still at the club at the start of the season – will have the armband removed and given to Vincent Kompany.

Galaxy midfielder David Beckham may miss Manchester City clash but he could be fit for match against Manchester United

 

David Beckham

David Beckham may miss Sunday’s clash with City as he is struggling to recover from back spasms.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has been a key figure for the MLS Western Conference leaders this season but has had the injury problem for a month.

He was expected to play half a game against Columbus Crew last night but may then be saved for the MLS All Stars’ clash with United in New Jersey next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, City yesterday opened a new football facility at the Boys and Girls Club of East Los Angeles as part of their community programme.

The club has  a pitch used by around 300 kids in one of the city’s most deprived areas, and City have pledged to replace it with a state of the art  3G pitch by October.

They will now invite some of the underprivileged kids to a beach party and barbecue on Friday afternoon, where they will get to mix with City players and pick up skills from professional beach soccer players and ball jugglers. The FA Cup is also expected to be at the event.

Micah Richards is ready to take on all comers after claiming to be the Blues’ arm wrestling champion. Richards fought out a draw with fellow defender Joleon Lescott – but then claimed he was taking it easy.

“He challenged me to an arm wrestling contest and I accepted to keep him happy,” said the amiable defender.

“The fact is, he couldn’t push my arm down no matter how hard he tried and I reckon he gave it everything!

“I let him take the draw, but between you and me, I was taking it easy on him. Still, he seemed happy with a tie so I’ll let him go on thinking all that training is paying off.”

Vancouver Whitecaps have revealed how close they came to having to call off Monday’s Herbalife World Football Challenge match with City.

The Canadian club even considered calling in a helicopter to try to dry their sodden pitch after heavy rain forced the postponement of their MLS fixture two days earlier.

They had spent £125,000 on a temporary grass pitch after City refused to play on an artifical surface, with the turf being laid on a tarpaulin.

When torrential downpours turned the grass sodden, the club called in nine pump trucks and bought up Vancouver’s supply of squeegees.

At one point they had 50 staff and volunteers clearing water, but the sunshine on Monday afternoon dried the pitch enough for the game to go ahead.

City have refused to blame the surface for Yaya Toure’s ankle injury, which is likely to keep him out of the Galaxy game.

The World Football Challenge is turning into a three-way fight between City, United and Real Madrid, with the Blues top of the table having played a game more.

The format gives three points for a win, two points for a penalty shoot-out win and a point for each goal scored to a maximum of three.

Mario Balotelli is so eager to step into Carlos Tevez’s boots as Manchester City’s top goal-scorer

 

Mario Balotelli beats Michael Nanchoff of the Vancouver Whitecaps to the ball during City’s 2-1 win at Empire Field in Vancouver

 

Mario Balotelli aims to be the man who takes over the goalscoring mantle from Carlos Tevez.

As the Blues skipper inches towards the exit door at Eastlands, amid claim and counter-claim from City and Corinthians, the young Italian says he intends to show what he is all about – by hitting the net at regular intervals.

And whether he ends up playing alongside Tevez, or his expected replacement Sergio Aguero, Balotelli wants to become a potent goalscorer for the Blues.

He admits he was frustrated by his first season in English football, hamstrung by a poor pre-season and then picking up an injury on his debut before blazing a trail of controversy on and off the field.

“I thought my first season was so-so,” said Balotelli, who still ended up joint second top scorer behind Tevez with a more than respectable ten goals in 20 starts.

But it was an erratic start to his City career as he looked occasionally brilliant – such as the stunning half-volley which set the Blues on the way to an FA Cup win over Aston Villa – and sometimes ordinary.

But Balotelli does not need telling that he has to step it up a couple of notches next season, especially if Tevez leaves and the club is left with a new boy – probably Sergio Aguero – Edin Dzeko, who has also been hit and miss, and youngster John Guidetti.

“I know I can score a lot more – I will show this season what I can do,” said the 20-year-old.

“I’m planning to score a lot this season, that’s what I’m trying for.”

Balotelli also reiterated the idea that even if Tevez leaves, City will continue to strengthen.

“It doesn’t matter if Carlos is here or not,” he said. “If Carlos is here it’s good but if he goes away I’m sure someone else will arrive.

“But how I play is all down to me, it doesn’t matter who else is at Manchester City.

“Carlos is a great player so I hope he’s going to stay but life goes on after Tevez.

“I’ve seen great players leave clubs before – it happened at Inter, this is football.

“We have a good team here, if a player wants to leave it’s his decision but we’ll still be a good team.”

The prospect of teaming up with Aguero, who replaced Tevez in the starting line-up for Argentina during the recent Copa America, equally excites Balotelli.

“I’ve never played against him but I’ve seen him on the television. He’s a very good player and still young.

“Aguero and Tevez, we’re talking about big players here. Whichever one is here next season they’ll be top players.”

Roberto Mancini has been left frustrated and furious at times by Balotelli, famously throwing a suitcase at him after his red card cost helped to knock City out of the Europa League against Dynamo Kiev.

Mancini has laid it on the line to his young prodigy but Balotelli says he does not need his old mentor to tell him what he needs to do.

“It doesn’t matter what the manager expects from me,” he said. “I expect a lot from myself and I know what I have to give.

“Whether I can do what the manager wants is another thing.”

Despite his hot-and-cold form, Balotelli did play a big part in City’s FA Cup triumph with a man-of-the-match performance against United in the semi-final and an important contribution in the final victory over Stoke.

But he shrugged off the fact that he ended his first season with City toting a winner’s medal.

He claims that winning things was the norm for him in Italy.

 “I always win a trophy in my season but it was a good feeling for me,” he said. “It was still very nice, and it was important for the players and the supporters.

“I hope this season we can win another trophy or maybe two!

 “The only time I’ve ever had a season of not playing in the Champions League was last year, so I’m used to it. It’s a very hard competition but I think we can do well.”

But City’s number one target this season has to be the Premier League, and Balotelli was quick to back up Sir Alex Ferguson’s assertion that the Blues can win the title this year.

“I think we should be challenging for the title,” he said. “Maybe this season we will have to think more about making sure we beat the smaller teams.

“Last year, we did very well against the big teams but we lost concentration against the small teams. If you want to win a title you have to play every game in the same way.

“But I think it’s possible, why not? We are one of the best teams in England so I think we can do it.

“We finished level on points with Chelsea last year so that shows we are one of the best.”

Manchester City set to hijack Manchester United’s move for Sneijder with Tevez swap

Wesley Sneijder

City are poised for a sensational swoop on United’s top transfer target Wesley Sneijder.

MEN Sport understands that Inter Milan are to propose a swap deal for want-away Blues star Carlos Tevez.

And Sir Alex Ferguson last night distanced himself from a move for the Dutchman, saying ‘Forget it’, when asked about Sneijder on United’s tour of the USA.

He added: “We are looking at some things but I am not so sure Sneijder will be easy to get.

“I could pick three or four players to come in but they wouldn’t be good enough for us so there is no point.”

With City also closing in  on a £38m deal for Sergio Aguero, the Blues are set to blow the lid off the European transfer market.

City are losing patience with Arsenal over the proposed £20m purchase of Samir Nasri – also on Fergie’s wanted list – and Inter are keen to land Tevez, with Italian sources claiming they will sacrifice Sneijder in order to get him.

The Inter move comes hot on the heels of City calling Corinthians’ bluff over their £39.4million bid for Tevez.

Roberto Mancini announced in Vancouver that City had agreed a fee with the Brazilian side, but that was hastily denied by Corinthians, who have strong links with Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian.

Corinthians responded by claiming the Blues were trying to change the terms of the deal. They wanted to link some of the fee to their new £50m a year TV rights deal, which would be unacceptable to the Blues.

Corinthians hit back with a statement which read: “Following news reports claiming an arrangement had been reached between Corinthians and striker Carlos Tevez, the president Andreas Sanchez is keen to come forward to clarify that City have not accepted the proposal by Corinthians.

“In fact, the club sent a counter-proposal to Corinthians this morning that, due to the time difference, did not reach the attention of the board until now.

“In the counter-proposal, the Premier League club sought to change the structure of payment and the total value of the transaction. In addition, Manchester City also insist that Tevez gives up a pending amount with the English club.

“Finally, the president Andraes Sanchez advises that there is nothing concrete at the current moment with Tevez and that City’s counter-proposal will be reviewed by him and his board.”

But City say they have agreed the figure and will also accept payment in four instalments, claiming their only proviso is that the first is paid upfront.

The Blues also wanted Tevez to waive his right to money which would be due to him, under the terms of his contract, on leaving the club.

City have already secured the services of one striker for next season, with John Guidetti about to sign a new three-year deal with the club.

The 19-year-old, top scorer for the elite development squad last season, is currently with the City squad in Canada.

Achieved

Meanwhile, Shay Given has targeted reaching the same level he achieved earlier in his Premier League career after he ended his spell at City by signing a five-year deal with Aston Villa.

Given, 35, admitted he was not featuring regularly enough under Roberto Mancini at City but the Republic of Ireland’s most-capped player is now relishing his latest challenge.

“Everyone knows that I didn’t play enough football last season, so I’m really pleased that I’ll be able to put that right here.

“Hopefully, this move will get me back to where I was before in the Premier League, which is where every player wants to be playing,” he said.

“Aston Villa is a huge football club and I’m really excited to be joining.

“I’m looking forward to training and playing with the players here.

“They’re a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help.

“Obviously, I’m also excited to be working with Alex McLeish and it’s going to be a fresh start for everybody at the club this season.”

Carlos Tevez: I have to leave Manchester City for the sake of my family

Carlos Tevez has declared that he wants to leave City for the sake of his family.

The Blues skipper had been expected to remain at the club after conciliatory noises were made by his agent Kia Joorabchian last month.

He said that Tevez was even making plans to bring his partner Vanesa – with whom he was reconciled recently – to Manchester, along with his two daughters.

But Tevez has said that his reunion with his family depends on him leaving City, and he informed City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak that he wants to go.

“It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club,” he said.

“I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner, Sheikh Mansour, who has been nothing other than respectful to me.”

Tevez is currently in his homeland, on Copa America duty with Argentina, and he said: “I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family.

“Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. “Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.

“I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt.

“Being captain of Manchester City, qualifying for the Champions League, winning the FA Cup and finishing as top scorer last season has made me very proud.

“I hope that most of the City fans will understand that I have given them my all on the pitch and that my dedication to the city cause has been 100 per cent on the pitch.

“I hope I have done my bit to help City continue their progress  towards their ambition to be champions of England and to advance in the Champions League. I have no doubt that the players and management of City will achieve great success in the future.”

Tevez’s problem is that City will not let him go on the cheap, and if a club does come close to the asking price, the Argentine would have to take a huge cut in his £230,000 a week wages