A look at ten flops that Manchester City will look to clear out in this summer’s transfer window.
10. Maicon
The Brazilian right-back was undoubtedly a great player a few years ago, but a few eyebrows were raised when City signed him after his best years were seemingly behind him. These concerns proved fair after an unimpressive campaign from the former Inter Milan man, who has hardly featured for Roberto Mancini’s side. There’s little reason to see why City wouldn’t allow him to leave in the summer transfer window.
9. Scott Sinclair
The former Chelsea youngster joined after a highly impressive season with Swansea City, but has made just eleven appearances in the Premier League for City. Although it would be fair to say he hasn’t been given much of a chance by Mancini, Sinclair never really looked like the kind of signing City needed to be making, given that the arguably more talented Adam Johnson was sold because he couldn’t break into the team. Needs a move this summer to re-start his career and one would imagine City won’t stand in his way.
8. Aleksandar Kolarov
The Serbian has enjoyed a few glory moments in his time in Manchester, but the occasional free-kick or long-range belter isn’t enough to cover up his defensive deficiencies. He is now behind Gael Clichy in the pecking order and being linked with a return to Serie A with Juventus. Impressive during his time at Lazio, the slower pace of the Italian game might be more suited to his playing style. Simply not Premier League standard, nor a player to help the club push on in Europe.
7. Micah Richards
After a very strong campaign in 2011/12, Richards has perhaps been unfortunate with injury this time round, but has also failed to force his way past the superior Pablo Zabaleta at right-back. Occasionally played in the centre of defence, Richards has not really shown enough adaptability to prove a useful member of Mancini’s squad. Still only 24, he could prove a useful signing for Arsenal and Liverpool, who have both been linked, but his days at City are surely over.
6. Gareth Barry
The aging Gareth Barry will surely be one of the first to go this summer. The 32-year-old looks past his best, which was arguably never that good in the first place. Despite suggestions that Mancini will keep the experienced England international around if he takes a pay cut, City simply have to do better if they want to win the league again and progress in the Champions League.
5. Javi Garcia
Javi Garcia looked a good signing from Benfica, but hasn’t lived up to his reputation in England. Often a little sluggish and off the pace, Garcia doesn’t offer enough bite in midfield, nor enough creativity to bring the team forward. The Spaniard must be one of the players in Mancini’s mind when he complains about last summer’s transfer activity, as he was the club’s second choice to fellow countryman Javi Martinez, who went to Bayern Munich instead. A good example of how looking good in the Portuguese league doesn’t necessarily mean a Premier League club should pay big money for you.
4. James Milner
Milner is a reliable, hard-working grafter, but that’s not really enough at this level. Signed on the back of a good season with Aston Villa, it would appear that is probably his level. Although popular with the fans, he has not really proven popular with Mancini and has spent most of his time at City on the bench. A number of other Premier League clubs might show an interest, but the reality is that they probably wouldn’t if he wasn’t English.
3. Kolo Toure
It’s easy to forget that the former Arsenal defender is still at City, as he’s hardly played for about two years. He has perhaps been kept around for his good rapport with his more successful brother Yaya, but he will also be keen to play more first-team football. He had been linked with PSG, but as time goes on and he continues not to play, a less glamorous move might be on the cards for the 32-year-old.
2. Edin Dzeko
The occasional purple patch in front of goal has sometimes kept us guessing, but it seems that Dzeko’s time at Manchester City is surely up. The former Wolfsburg man has not really adjusted to the pace of English football and has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga with the likes of Borussia Dortmund. Juventus are also said to be interested as it seems ever more clear that his future lies away from the Etihad Stadium.
1. Samir Nasri
It’s time for City to cut their losses and accept that Samir Nasri has been a flop. Definitely one of the club’s worst signings in recent times, looking nothing like the player who sparkled at Arsenal before his £25million transfer. Mancini has admitted he finds the Frenchman’s inconsistency infuriating, and a return to France with PSG seems likely, with City already on the lookout for replacements, being linked with several attacking midfielders over the last few months. After similar failure with Emmanuel Adebayor, City will be careful before signing players from Arsenal again!