Can Man City do a Chelsea next season?

WITH Gareth Barry joining Robinho in the Eastlands and possibly Carlos Tevez on the way, Manchester City are starting to look the way of Chelsea at the start of the Roman Revolution just a few seasons back.

We all knew how that turned out didn’t we? Chelsea won the Premiership title for two seasons in a row under Jose Mourinho, with stars such as Arjen Robben, Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko (still considered a star at the time of signing at least).

The Citizens are attempting to flood their dressing room with the same embarrassment of riches in footballing talent this transfer season, although Mark Hughes is definitely no Mourinho, based on last season’s results.

Furthermore, the Blues were nearly there (i.e. already in the Big Four) when Claudio Ranieri in charge, Abramovich’s money and Mourinho’s managerial nous arguably proved to be the final boost needed for the London club to clinch their first Premiership title in 50 years.

City, however, do not have the same foundation to start with, finishing 10th in the league this season, even with additions such as Robinho and the return of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

But can City do one better than Chelsea and jump from mid-table mediocrity to the Big Four next season, with all the money available for big-money players and maybe even a new high-profile manager?

Transfer season: who will emerge the biggest winner in three-cornered ‘fight’?

THE transfer season has opened with a bang as Real Madrid looks to have claimed Kaka’s signature, with Chelsea launching a late and desperate bid.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has ‘stolen’ Gareth Barry from right under the noses of Liverpool, even though the Citizens are not even playing in the new Europa League, much less the Champions League football the England midfielder had previously said he craves.

The scene seems set for a three-corner battle among the cash-rich clubs Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid in the transfer market, making the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool look like paupers.

New Real president Florentino Perez is keen to revive his infamous Galacticos project at the Bernabeu, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso in his crosshairs.

On the other hand, City are continuing their rebuilding, following last season’s influx of oil money from the Middle East. On top of Robinho and Barry, the club is hoping to persuade Carlos Tevez to defect to the blue side of Manchester, along with Everton’s Joleon Lescott.

And meantime in London, Roman Abramovich has once again loosened his purse strings for Carlo Ancelotti, in an attempt to revitalise his ageing squad to clinch the Champions League trophy that he so covets.

It will be an interesting three months of transfer activity ahead, as big money gets thrown around carelessly by these three clubs. The question is – which of these three will come up tops by the end August?

Q & A with Letter of the Week Winner Eugene Chan

When and why did you become a Man United fan?
As far back as I can remember, I started supporting Manchester United in the 1992-1993 season. That was a special year being the first season of the Premier League and for United to finally be crowned champions after a long 26 year wait.
Obviously I didn’t know that then but I remember slowly following them on television with my family, attracted by their spirit and their will to always play attractive football. There was one more reason why that season was special. That year, the ‘King’ arrived – Eric Cantona joined United and the revolution started.

Tevez: too little too late for United?

CARLOS Tevez has shown Manchester United once again what they could be missing if he really does leave Old Trafford this summer.

The diminutive striker scored a cheeky equaliser against Wigan on a night where the champions lacked inspiration and fluidity on a greasy pitch.

While Tevez had earlier publicly stated his love for the club and its fans, his recent outbursts have shown his frustration at not valued as a first-team player, nor as an essential player in the team, with his future hanging in the balance for months.

How frustrated had the Argentinian been? Well he has now gone to the extent of saying that he will not hesitate to move to bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City or Chelsea at the end of the season.

And now Sir Alex Ferguson has come out to say that he wants Tevez to stay, and the wheels of his permanent deal are set in motion after last night’s 2-1 win over Wigan.

But would it be too little, too late to make the Argentinian stay?

Question of the Week (Tevez’s price?)

Hi all,

THE POSTMAN’S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Despite his value and contribution to Man United, is Carlos Tevez worth the reported £30 million ($66m) his agent Kia Joorabchian is trying to wrangle from Manchester United?

Cheers,

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

What would Fergie’s and Wenger’s starting lineups be like tomorrow morning?

(Picture: AFP)

SIR ALEX Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are set to renew their long-standing rivalry tomorrow morning (Singapore time) as Manchester United face Arsenal in the first-leg Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford.

The two managers have fought epic managerial battles since the Frenchman took charge of the London club in 1996, with sly jabs thrown in either direction from time to time.

And given the recent circumstances, it would be interesting to see how both managers will select their starting lineups.

For United, the spotlight will fall squarely on its front-line. United’s Wayne Rooney and company had to rely on the introduction of Carlos Tevez against Spurs to spark a stirring second-half comeback. The 4-2-4 formation – with Rooney, Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo – tore into the Lilywhites’ defence and put five past a hapless Heurelho Gomes, who had been outstanding in the first half.

United certainly need to score goals, given that they are again faced with the unfamiliar situation of playing at home in the first-leg, but Fergie will surely remember how Arsenal dominated the midfield in their 2-1 victory over the Red Devils earlier this season, and scheme to prevent a similar situation.

For Arsenal, changes are afoot, with Andrei Arshavin cup-tied and Robin van Persie and Eduardo doubtful due to injury. Wenger has been quoted as saying that he is considering moving Samir Nasri – the star of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over United last November – to a central holding midfield position or the left flank to plug the gap left by Arshavin’s absence.

If you were Ferguson or Wenger, how would you select the players for your starting lineup, and what formation would you use?

Is Berbatov really worth £30.75m?

HE TOOK the run-up in his usual languid style and hit it weakly down the middle, as Tim Howard’s flailing legs managed to block Dimitar Berbatov’s first penalty kick.

In the end, that – along with Rio Ferdinand’s saved spot-kick – proved decisive as Everton marched derservedly into the FA Cup final.

While much have been (and can be) said about Alex Ferguson’s decision to field a much-weakened team, the spotlight now falls squarely on the Bulgarian, who moved to Manchester United early this season in a controversial £30.75m transfer deadline deal.

Berbatov arrived at Old Trafford with much fanfare, as a deadly striker whose silky skills made him such a hit with Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old was supposed to add a different dimension to United’s attack, a touch of class to complement the hardworking Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

Brilliance he has shown, but in sporadic bursts in a season where United are chasing every available title on offer. Indeed, 13 goals in 37 games is hardly a hallmark of a player who costs that much, especially when you compare that with his 27 goals last season with Spurs.

Say what you want about the goalscoring opportunities being shared about a posse of United players, but when a player is brought in, he is generally supposed to improve the team. In Berbatov’s case, his hold-up play and vision is supposed to boost United’s strike force.

But take a look at the statistics – United have scored 10 lesser goals in the Premiership at this stage of the competition this season as compared to last, with Berbatov playing 27 of these games.

Is Berbatov really worth £30.75m?

Who will partner Rio on Wednesday?

DEFENDING European champions Manchester United travel to the San Siro this Wednesday morning (Singapore time) with just one fit centreback eligible to face Inter Milan, after Jonny Evans limped out in the second half against Blackburn.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, following his red card at the World Club Cup last December, while club captain Gary Neville is still suffering from a virus and a strained leg. Wes Brown is also out, after breaking his metatarsal in training earlier this month.

John O’Shea is still doubtful, and the United medical staff are working overtime to get the Irishman’s heel in shape for the Inter game.

If that does not fall through, any one of these senior United players should get the job of partnering Rio Ferdinand in defence – Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and the young Rafael.

Who would it be?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: My pick would be Fletcher, if the rest don’t come through by Tuesday. The Scot has faced much criticism for his inconsistent performances over the past few seasons, but the 25-year-old has come through for United this season, shining in the early parts of the season where the champions were struggling to find their feet.

Q & A with Letter of the Week winner Sunil Rai

When and why did you start supporting Manchester United?
I remember vividly the 1999 final. The 1st game I watched, not as a United fan, but as a curious sports fanatic, a mere onlooker. I have this tendency to support the so-called underdogs and this was the case in the 1999 final.

I recall my dad going off to sleep with 3 minutes to go but I was there clasping my hands offering every prayer I had, hoping fervently that a miracle materialises. And my God, it did. I don’t remember any moment in my life where I told myself, “OK I’ll support United”. It just happened.

It became an addiction. The charisma. The arrogance. The aura of invincibility. The ethics. The flamboyance. They had it all.

What is the most memorable football game you’ve watched and why?
Countless honestly. But the FA Cup final of 2006, when we lost in such fashion, will remain etched in my memory forever.

Is Inter the best club for Tevez?

ARGENTINA legend and national coach Maradona has advised Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez to move on to save his international career, specifically to Inter Milan where former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has taken charge.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: It seems increasingly likely that Tevez may move on from Old Trafford, even though he is a fans’ favourite. But if he does move, is Inter the right club for the young Argentinian?

The good news is, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only “untouchable” in a front-line that sometimes goes up to three strikers. Adriano, the Swede’s usual strike partner, could be on his way out following speculation of a bust-up with Mourinho earlier this season.

And with Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz already reaching his mid-30s, and Mario Barotelli and Victor Nsofor Obinna barely out of their teens, Tevez could be the perfect blend of youth and experience that Mourinho can use up front.