Stephen ireland? - On his way out of city?
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:06 pmThe Times have run this piece today suggesting Stephen Ireland may consider switching clubs in search of first team football. The article doesn't specifically link him with any clubs, but he is a player who scores goals from midfield and I think would be absolutely perfect for us. He'd have no shortage of takers though, Alex Ferguson made a cheeky enquiry about him last summer and I'm sure he'd be interested again,
Only 23 years old, 13 goals from midfield last season when he was played regularly, has a great work ethic that would go down well with Benitez and his all round game is pretty good.
Here's the Times article anyway...
Stephen Ireland, the Manchester City midfield player, fears that he could be forced to look for a new club amid concerns that he does not figure in Roberto Mancini’s long-term plans.
Ireland was dropped for City’s Barclays Premier League game at home to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night, Mancini opting instead to play Adam Johnson, a winger, at the tip of a midfield diamond on his first start for the club since a protracted £8 million move from Middlesbrough.
Although that is Ireland’s favoured position — one from which he scored most of his 13 goals last season en route to being named City’s Player of the Year — he has played there only once since Mancini arrived at the club in December, for 56 minutes in the 3-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That, coupled with the manager’s decision to deploy wide players, such as Johnson, in the role ahead of him and Mancini’s pursuit of two midfield players, Fernando Gago, 23, of Real Madrid, and McDonald Mariga, 22, now of Inter Milan, during the transfer window last month appear to have convinced Ireland that his days at City are numbered.
The 23-year-old hopes that Mancini will give him an extended run in his favoured role, but if the situation does not improve between now and the end of the season, Ireland may consider his options in the summer.
Manchester United have been linked with the player in the past, but it is hard to envisage City allowing him to join their fierce rivals.
He would not leave the club lightly and accepts that competition for places will be intense, but is unlikely to stay if it means fighting a losing battle.
If there is anything in this story and if we don't look at this sitution in the summer then we are missing out
Only 23 years old, 13 goals from midfield last season when he was played regularly, has a great work ethic that would go down well with Benitez and his all round game is pretty good.
Here's the Times article anyway...
Stephen Ireland, the Manchester City midfield player, fears that he could be forced to look for a new club amid concerns that he does not figure in Roberto Mancini’s long-term plans.
Ireland was dropped for City’s Barclays Premier League game at home to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night, Mancini opting instead to play Adam Johnson, a winger, at the tip of a midfield diamond on his first start for the club since a protracted £8 million move from Middlesbrough.
Although that is Ireland’s favoured position — one from which he scored most of his 13 goals last season en route to being named City’s Player of the Year — he has played there only once since Mancini arrived at the club in December, for 56 minutes in the 3-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That, coupled with the manager’s decision to deploy wide players, such as Johnson, in the role ahead of him and Mancini’s pursuit of two midfield players, Fernando Gago, 23, of Real Madrid, and McDonald Mariga, 22, now of Inter Milan, during the transfer window last month appear to have convinced Ireland that his days at City are numbered.
The 23-year-old hopes that Mancini will give him an extended run in his favoured role, but if the situation does not improve between now and the end of the season, Ireland may consider his options in the summer.
Manchester United have been linked with the player in the past, but it is hard to envisage City allowing him to join their fierce rivals.
He would not leave the club lightly and accepts that competition for places will be intense, but is unlikely to stay if it means fighting a losing battle.
If there is anything in this story and if we don't look at this sitution in the summer then we are missing out
), and seeing as I go to all the home games - even pre: move to Croke Park - yes, I think I can comment on Stephen Ireland and others....As for him, yes, he IS a total headcase.....all that rubbish over 'my granny died...no, not THAT granny, the OTHER granny....hang on, BOTH of them are still alive.....I don't like being slagged 'cos my hair is falling out....'.
