It seems like it was only yesterday that I was sat here at my computer writing about a fairly negative spell in Manchester City’s recent history; surrendering the Premier League to rivals Manchester United, losing the FA Cup Final to un-fancied Wigan and the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini. It’s astounding how quickly things can change as now City can look forward to the new season with renewed optimism. And here’s why...
The last week has seen the continuation of José Mourinho’s mind games with Wayne Rooney, Manchester United step up their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and Arséne Wenger trying to establish Arsenal’s might in the transfer market with an audacious bid for Luis Suárez. With all this going on, and of the course, the birth of the royal baby (urgh!- Ed.), one could be forgiven for not noticing Manuel Pellegrini, lurking in the shadows quietly going about his job at Manchester City.
As I sit here in front of the television, awaiting the kick-off of the Asia Trophy clash between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, I am posed with a few questions. Does this warrant the TV coverage that Sky are giving it? What’s the point of travelling all the way to Hong Kong for this? How much are we really meant to care about a pre-season friendly?
Not yet two weeks into his tenure as Manchester United manager and David Moyes is already under fire from some sections of the Old Trafford faithful. Having lost his first game as manager at the weekend (a non-competitive fixture against the Thai Singah Allstars in which he fielded a less than half strength team), David Moyes now appears to have missed out on signing two transfer ‘targets’ within a few days.
Arsenal? With transfer funds? Surely not, is that what we’re seeing here? If the papers are to be believed then the perennial penny-pinchers from the red half of North London seem back in the market for the world’s elite. So what does this mean for Arsenal? And for everyone else for that matter?