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Manchester City’s Strikers: Who to Keep or Sell?

With Manchester City about to embark on their first season in the Champions League, it is important that they have strikers who are of a good enough quality to score goals in such a difficult competition. Here is my analysis of the current crop of forwards, and whom I would keep and sell if I was in charge…

 

Aguero: It’s good to see City bringing more Champions League quality players to the Premier League. Aguero is a clinical finisher, has great pace, and at just 23 years old has the potential to become one of the best in the world.

Verdict: Definitely keep.

 

Carlos Tevez: Tevez is the most energetic and relentless player I have ever come across. His work rate is phenomenal, and the way he tracks back to help out in midfield is a valuable asset. He was the premier league’s joint top scorer last year, with 20 goals to his name. However, he has made it very clear that he wishes to leave city, and I think that having him at the club could do more harm than good.

Verdict: He’s a brilliant player, but only keep if he can be convinced to withdraw transfer request.

 

Mario Balloteli: The feisty Italian obviously has talent, but his disciplinary record cannot be ignored. However, at only 20 years old, Mario still has time to mature and develop into an excellent football. I think that given the right guidance, he could be a fantastic player.

Verdict: Keep for a few years, if he doesn’t change his ways then sell him to one of the many willing buyers (AC Milan etc).

 

Craig Bellamy: Bellamy used to be quite a decent little player, but sadly he has lost his touch. Last season the Welsh international was surplus to requirements, and was subsequently loaned out to Cardiff, where he failed to show that he could still play at the top level. Craig no longer has the required quality to play for Manchester City, and should be sold soon before his value decreases any further.

Verdict: Ship out to a Championship club and give him the playing time he deserves.

 

Emanuel Adebayor: I always thought that Adebayor was a good player. Strong, quick, good finishing. However, Roberto Mancini doesn’t agree with me. Emanuel is a very similar player to Dzeko, and is probably now the 5th choice striker at the club. He’s a good player, but just not good enough for City.

Verdict: With Real Madrid vying to sign the Togolese forward, Man City should accept any offer over £15 million.

 

Edin Dzeko: Bought for £27 million because of his excellent displays in the Bundesliga, Edin Dzeko has failed to live up to his glowing reputation. With only two goals in 15 league games, the Bosnian doesn’t exactly seem to represent great value for money. However, what a lot of people seem to forget is that Dzeko only joined City in January, and it can take some players a while to adapt to the English style of football. Given a bit more time, I think that Dzeko will flourish for City.

 

 

Roque Santa Cruz: Simply not good enough for a Champions League team. City paid far to much for him in the first place, and now they are left with a player who isn’t good enough to play, and has wage demands which are too high for any other club to be tempted to buy him.

Verdict: Sell to any club that can afford his wages.

 

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