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Who should we sign to bolster our defence?

You would think being a City fan having the Arab’s booming bank account will mean happy days all round but it seems anything but at present due to the media and more worryingly (in my opinion, contrary to many) some of our short sighted supporters. I’m not one for normally having a dig at fellow fans, yes we have suffered a lot of heartache in recent years, but to suggest that all of a sudden we are going to become the best team in England next season due to our untold wealth is somewhat naive I think.

While many of them point the finger at Chelsea’s overnight transformation they seemingly forget that the Blues were a top three Premiership side before the riches of Roman, and all the foundations were in place before they needed to open the chequebook. We are nowhere near that level, as yet, therefore we simply have to be patient and bring in the players that will lay the foundations before we attempt to bring in the classy players that we are continually linked with, the likes of Kaka, Messi and Eto’o spring to mind. The problem is that the majority don’t understand this, and that is why I expect total anarchy at City in the long run. Even if Mourinho came in during the summer and spent over £100m would we be title contenders next season, I think you’ll know that answer.  

What we need to do this summer is go out and bring established players to the club. Players that will lay the foundations for us to build. We have already started the process of building a decent spine by bringing in Shay Given (who in my eyes was an strange addition especially as Hart was doing so well) but this change has worked, it is clear to see.

However the defence in front of him is pretty shocking, depsite the number of clean sheets, and with the exception of Onouha (and some may say Bridge) it needs replacing man for man. Richards will come good in time but at this moment we need to bring experience in the right-back spot (without compromising Zabaleta in CM) with players that are proven and know what it takes to win titles and cups in the Premiership.

Much of the speculation about potential transfer targets for Manchester City has revolved around players either at big four clubs in England or on the continent. But with City under performing at the back and the Icelandic financial crisis crippling West Ham United, Matthew Upson has emerged as a player that could end up in City blue, and how much I would love that. Given Upson’s injury troubles signing him for a fee upwards of £10 million would be a risk. But City needs help in the central defence and signing a player from West Ham may prove to be relatively simple. Only problem…competition, he’s a player in demand.

It has also been reported that John Terry is someone that Hughes would like to bring in and whilst I would see him as ideal, the likelihood of him joining is incredibly unlikely. Kolo Toure is another name that has been muted, perhaps more so than anyone else, and once again he will be a good choice but personally I would much prefer to move for William Gallas who, for all his outspoken and sometimes unprofessional behaviour, is a fantastic defender and one of the Premier’s best on his day. He is crocked at the moment but if we get him ready for next season, that could be one of the summers cheapest, yet arguably most worthwhile signings.

Talking to an Arsenal friend of mine he suggested that he has become better for them since he lost the captaincy and why the expectation level may have affected his game, I just wonder if being stripped of it has had any lasting damage?

I don’t reckon he will stay despite what Wenger has been saying recently and I feel that the very fact he was tempted by rumours linking him to a £5m move to Milan in January suggests that he has one eye out of the club. There is no doubt that although City are nowhere near the level of Arsenal or Milan, I wonder if the possibility of one last big pay day at a club that has high aspirations may appeal to the temperamental Frenchman. We are fortunately in a position to offer player high wages which will certainly aid our attempts in luring players from opposing teams but I firmly believe Gallas is the type of player that not only will strengthen us but bring that wealth of experience that we desperately need. He is the type of player that can bring Richards on and make him a far more accomplished defender.

If you look at a clip in youtube (typoe in Gallas team talk), it confirms my message. He is a natural born leader, up for a fight and it shows. He is exactly the sort of player we needed, similiar to when we got SWP back and brought in Bellamy.

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