Man City are close to signing yet another ‘big name player’ (well, at least a premier league ‘big name player’ - probably) in the form of Arsenal’s 28 year old Ivorian centre-back, Kolo Toure.
City have spent most of the summer bolstering their team thanks to the copious cash-injections of their owner, the ‘trillion dollar man’ , Sheikh Mansour. Currently, however, the team seems to be more top heavy on fire-power than defence, with signings such as Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor making them a considerable threat in front of their opponents goal.
But what about in front of their own goal?
Last season City conceded 50 goals in 38 premier league games, compared to the 24 goals both Man Utd and Chelsea conceded. Mark Hughes undoubtedly realises that if the predictions of City ‘breaking the top four’ are to become reality, then their goals conceded record must dramatically improved.
To this end, they’ve been linked a number of other ‘big name’ central defenders this season, most notably John Terry and Joleon Lescott, but thus far haven’t been able to snag either even though they’ve thrown bags of money at both player and club.
So is Kolo Toure a good buy?
Last season Toure struggled to maintain a regular starting place at Arsenal and at 28 he’s undoubtedly coming to the end of his prime. However, He has been the backbone of the Arsenal defence for years, amassing a total of 326 games and scoring 14 goals since signing with the gunners in 2002. He has experience of playing the ‘big games’ in both the premier league and the champions league and could definitely bring a lot to help galvanise the City defence.
But, according Arsene Wenger, nothing is yet finalised: "We have seven centre-backs and I am in the position where I have to play some in midfield but of course Kolo is a very good player and we will see what will happen in the next 24 hours."
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Posted by KJB on 29th July 2009 @ 12:00 | Tagged under: transfers |
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Posted by KJB on 31st July 2009 @ 14:38 | Tagged under: transfers |
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Portsmouth have successfully swooped in for both right-back Steve Finnan and defensive midfield Aaron Mokoena this morning.
Finnan had failed settle in last season at his La Liga club Espanyol and consequently has terminated his contract in order to join the club. It is thought Finnan is to be the direct replacement for Glen Johnson, who was sold to Finnan’s old club Liverpool earlier this summer.
According to Paul Hart on the club website: “It whetted my appetite to think that we could get a player Steve’s calibre here. He’s really looking forward to coming here and we’re looking forward to seeing him play.”
Mokoena left Blackburn at the end of last season after failing to secure another contract and has delighted Paul Hart by putting pen to paper in a three year deal for Pompey.
“Aaron’s a strong player who bites in the table and he’s the sort of character we’re going to need in the coming months,” Hart explained. “I watched him play for South Africa in the Confederations Cup over the summer and he did great.”
Finnan had failed settle in last season at his La Liga club Espanyol and consequently has terminated his contract in order to join the club. It is thought Finnan is to be the direct replacement for Glen Johnson, who was sold to Finnan’s old club Liverpool earlier this summer.
According to Paul Hart on the club website: “It whetted my appetite to think that we could get a player Steve’s calibre here. He’s really looking forward to coming here and we’re looking forward to seeing him play.”
Mokoena left Blackburn at the end of last season after failing to secure another contract and has delighted Paul Hart by putting pen to paper in a three year deal for Pompey.
“Aaron’s a strong player who bites in the table and he’s the sort of character we’re going to need in the coming months,” Hart explained. “I watched him play for South Africa in the Confederations Cup over the summer and he did great.”
Posted by KJB on 31st July 2009 @ 23:20 | Tagged under: transfers |
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Bundesliga Champions Wolfsburg have snapped up Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins from Newcastle on a four year deal.
Bought in 2006 Martins scored a total of 35 times for the club and will join Grafite and Edin Dzeko in the Wolfsburg strike force.
Bought in 2006 Martins scored a total of 35 times for the club and will join Grafite and Edin Dzeko in the Wolfsburg strike force.
