Player Preview #9 - Emmanuel Adebayor

CURRENTLY unsettled at Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor could get his wish to move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer, providing potential buyers stump up the £14m asking price.

Having spent the last five months of the previous campaign on-loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid, Adebayor is holding out for a permanent deal that could take him back to the Santiago Bernabéu.

He has made no secret of his desire to leave Manchester, and is just one of several want away players under Roberto Mancini's charge at the Etihad Stadium. But, the Togolese striker's £170,000-a-week wages will be a major stumbling block if he is to engineer a move away from City.

Reports have suggested that he has turned down approaches from Blackburn Rovers and Paris Saint-Germain, who were hoping that they would be able to tempt Adebayor with a move back to France.

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But the former Arsenal man would prefer a return to Spain where he played at the highest level under José Mourinho. Los Merengues made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, only to be seen off by fierce rivals Barcelona, who would go on to win the competition 3-1 against Manchester United at Wembley.

It is understandable why Adebayor would want to leave City. Despite the attraction of European football, he has simply fallen out of favour with Mancini, and there is no shortage of funds at the club to recruit more strikers should both Adebayor and Tevez leave this summer.

No player wants to sit on the bench, or not even get in the matchday squad week in week out, so it is only fair that the man who cost £25m when he signed from Arsenal in 2009 should be allowed to leave should the right offer come in.

What may displease City fans is the way Adebayor has gone about his demands to leave. Too often he has spoken out of turn, verbally bashing the club from time to time. Though the City faithful never like to boo a returning player, I cannot see Adebayor getting the warmest of receptions should he ever cross the white line at the Etihad Stadium in the future.

Player Preview #8 - Shaun Wright-Phillips

PERHAPS the most celebrated academy graduate in Manchester City's recent history, Shaun Wright-Phillips is one of the finest talents to grace the first team.

He burst onto the scene in 1999 in a Division One game at Port Vale, in which he helped turn around a 1-0 deficit to give City all three points. It took a few seasons before Wright-Phillips cemented a regular starting role, but after relegation from the Premier League in 2001, new manager Kevin Keegan employed him as a wing-back - in keeping with his attacking philosophy.

It would prove to be the campaign that was the making of Wright-Phillips as he established himself as one of the finest talents outside of the Premier League - but not for long as he collected a Division One winners medal.

Normally, the step up to England's top flight is one of the most difficult in world football, and especially at such a young age, but the former Nottingham Forest youth player proved to be a natural and was soon catching the eye of several top Premiership clubs.

Eventually, Wright-Phillips made his England debut in 2004, coming on as a substitute against Ukraine and scoring a late goal in a 3-0 win at St James' Park, Newcastle.

After breaking onto the international scene, he soon attracted interest from a host of top clubs, amongst them Manchester United and Arsenal. Many tipped the then 24-year-old to seal a move to the Gunners after stepfather Ian Wright's successful career at Highbury, but Wright-Phillips opted for a move to Chelsea in a £21m deal in 2005.

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After a tough time in the capital, Wright-Phillips returned 'home' in 2008 after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup with the Stamford Bridge outfit. The arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari saw the winger fall out of favour, and City boss Mark Hughes swooped with a deal rumoured to be £8.5m.

His second City debut saw him bag two goals as Sunderland were brushed aside 3-0 at the Stadium of Light, and he was looking like his old self once more. Wright-Phillips was reborn and given a new lease of life, playing on the right of a front four that included Robinho, Elano and Stephen Ireland.

However, since the arrival of Roberto Mancini in December 2009, he has fallen out of favour, despite his fine start to the 2009-10 campaign. A dip in form and confidence has done nothing to help improve the tricky winger's situation at the Etihad Stadium, and, regrettably, could find his way out of the club this summer, with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic both keen on his signature.

It would be a shame to see Wright-Phillips leave his 'home' again, especially considering all he has done in his time with the club. He is a fans' favourite for a reason, and maybe Mancini will hold onto him if he is unable to secure his desired transfer targets this summer.

I am sure there will be a few tears in the eyes of City fans who were old enough to remember that nippy teenager flying down the right wing as City began their revolution a decade ago.

Player Preview #7 - James Milner

HE WAS earmarked as one of Roberto Mancini's main transfer targets when he arrived from Italy in December 2009, and in August 2010, James Milner arrived in Manchester. It was a deal rumoured to be worth in excess of £20m - plus Stephen Ireland heading in the opposite direction to Aston Villa.

Although not a regular starter last campaign, Milner still made 42 appearances for Manchester City, including a start in the FA Cup victory over Stoke City.

While he is not a flair player who really gets the crowd going, the England international boasts a fantastic work ethic and steely determination that makes him such a fine asset to have in the squad.

His versatility is what sets him out from the rest. He is able to play on the flanks, in the middle or even slot in at full-back if necessary. Milner is just the type of player Mancini loves to have at his disposal, as demonstrated with the inclusion of Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany.

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One thing you know you will get with Milner is 100% commitment. The former Newcastle United man will run through a brick wall for the team, and that is why City fans love him.

It will be interesting to see what sort of role the England U21 record cap holder is deployed in this season. With City competing in the Champions League and domestic competitions, Milner could find himself starting more games than he did last term, due to the physical demands on the rest of the squad.

His aggressive style will set him in good stead on City's European adventures, as will his direct approach, as continental defenders tend to struggle when the game is taken to them.

There is no doubt about it, Milner will be a key player for the club this season - providing he stays injury free. Mancini would not have gambled so much money on a player who would be making appearances off the bench week in week out. He is definitely a big part of City's future, starting this season.

Player Preview #6 - Michael Johnson

ANOTHER graduate of Manchester City's famed youth academy, Michael Johnson was one of the hottest prospects on the Premier League scene before his career was blighted by a series of injuries.

His first City goal came under the reign of Sven-Göran Eriksson in a 1-0 victory on the first home game of the 2007-08 campaign against Derby County. That would prove to be Johnson's best season for the club, making 23 appearances.

However, mid-season, he suffered an abdominal injury which kept him out for a few months, but he returned in February 2008 and saw the term out. After a promising start to the next campaign, a recurrence of the abdominal injury against Brighton and Hove Albion in a Carling Cup tie would see the midfielder sidelined for the rest of the season.

Since then, the 23-year-old has made just two appearances for the club, one in the league against West Ham United, the other in a 5-1 victory over Scunthorpe United, in which he scored the fifth goal.

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Sadly, in December 2009, Johnson suffered a serious knee injury in training which would keep him out for the remainder of the season. He has failed to make an appearance for the first team since, and has stated that he would like to leave the club on-loan in order to regain match fitness.

Now, he has been left out of the City team for the tour of the U.S this month, along with several other first team players who are expected to leave the club. Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the biggest names left behind by Roberto Mancini, and there is no secret of his desire to quit the FA Cup winners this summer.

It would be a shame to see a player of Johnson's calibre leave, especially having seen him come through the ranks. Had he been able to remain fit, he may have had a crucial role to play in the future of the club, but, as it is, he may find himself shipped out by Mancini in order to make way for a less injury prone player.

Once labelled as 'the next Colin Bell', the Platt Lane graduate is loved by City fans for his surging runs from midfield and his ability to pick out a pass with consummate ease. Hopefully he will be at the club for years to come and enjoy the success with the fans. It would be great to see him back out on the Etihad Stadium pitch once more.

High Fliers

EASTLANDS is no longer. The new home of Manchester City is now called the Etihad Stadium in a naming rights deal believed to be worth £100m.

"We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with Etihad Airways through this comprehensive partnership agreement," said City CEO Garry Cook.

"Most importantly, in addition to delivering significant revenue at a key stage in the Club's evolution, the agreement creates exciting opportunities for our two organisations to cooperate more deeply commercially and on media and community initiatives in the future."

This looks like a shrewd bit of business by City's mega rich owners as they look for any form of income in order to balance the books in time for the Champions League in a couple of years.

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With UEFA's decision to ban clubs who spend more than their income, it was crucial that City found extra money from somewhere to help wipe out the £300m spend on new players since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the club in 2008.

Not only will it help cover the transfer fees, but also the wage bill - which is amongst one of the highest in the sporting world.

All kinds of sponsorship deals have been looked at, including lucrative shirt deals, but UEFA insisted they will investigate every deal to make sure that payments are not 'excessive'.

"This is a game-changing partnership agreement that redefines the traditional sports sponsorship paradigm," said Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two iconic brands that share the same vision to promote far-reaching global awareness and business growth."

City join a handful of Premier League clubs who have sold the naming rights to their stadium. Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic are the select few who have income from the name of their stadiums, and now fans will be hoping the Etihad Stadium will become a fortress and send fear into the hearts of opposition players.

Player Preview #5 - Pablo Zabaleta

A FAN favourite if ever we have seen one. The gritty utility man certainly put himself about last season and, for his troubles, ended up coming off the pitch for treatment in the majority of his outings.

The versatile Argentina international even has his own comic book sketch on the Manchester City website called 'Zabman'.

Last campaign was marked by a stunning Zabaleta goal at Craven Cottage as City romped to a 4-1 win over former boss Mark Hughes' Fulham, and add to that an FA Cup Winners medal, it was a very successful season for the former Espanyol man.

Ironically, he is another one of Hughes' signings - like Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong. All three are the spine of the team, willing to throw themselves at a brick wall in order to defend the goal at all costs.

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At just £6.5m, Zabaleta was an absolute steal by Hughes in August 2008. His importance to the team was emphasised when he made his 100th appearance for the club on New Year's Day in the 1-0 win over relegated Blackpool.

His commitment and work rate is what sets him aside from most players, as the 26-year-old runs himself into the ground on a regular basis for City. Above everything else, the fans love a player who shows that sort of determination - which is why they have adopted want-away striker Carlos Tevez as one of their own.

But what does this season hold in store for the man capped nine times by his country?

With his ability to play at either right or left-back and in the middle of the pitch, there will always be a position available for him. The arrival of Gaël Clichy from Arsenal this summer has added another player to the left side of defence, which means Zabaleta will be giving stern competition to fellow right-back Micah Richards.

With the Champions League games set to have a huge effect on player fatigue, Roberto Mancini will no doubt continue his rotation policy, meaning the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist with Argentina will be used to great effect both in the league and domestic competitions in order to keep the squad fit to fight on all fronts.

Hoping to add to his FA Cup triumph, Zabaleta will be even more hungry for success (if it is even possible).

Player Preview #4 - Vincent Kompany

WITHOUT a shadow of a doubt Manchester City's stand-out performer last season, emphasised by his Player's Player of the Year and Official Supporter's Player of the Year awards - not to mention a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

FA Cup triumph was a fitting way to end a fantastic season for the Belgian, who was City's most consistent performer throughout the term (rivalled by former Hamburg teammate Nigel de Jong).

The 25-year-old was Roberto Mancini's first choice centre-back all campaign and only missed one Premier League fixture. Perhaps one of his more impressive performances came in the 1-0 victory over Chelsea in September, where he restricted Didier Drogba to shooting from long range for the entire game.

Kompany captained the side, in the absence of Carlos Tevez, as City secured a place in the FA Cup Final at the expense of Manchester United, with a 1-0 win in April - and it looks like he is set to be given the role on a permanent basis, should the Argentinian (and fellow member of the PFA Team of the Year) get his wish to leave the club this summer.

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The powerful defender will fit the bill perfectly. His presence alone is enough to ward off attackers, but with the added responsibility of leadership, Kompany will command greater respect from his fellow professionals in a role he will relish and make his own for several years.

At £6m, the Belgian was probably one of Mark Hughes' most shrewd captures during his reign as City boss, and, at the time, no one would realise how crucial his arrival would prove to be.

He was employed mainly as a holding midfielder to allow the likes of Stephen Ireland, Elano, Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips the licence to roam free, before being converted to a centre back after the departure of Richard Dunne to Aston Villa.

Now he will be a fantastic role model for young defenders coming through the ranks - the likes of Dedryck Boyata in particular will learn vast amounts from his fellow countryman, and new arrival Stefan Savic will surely turn to Kompany for advice on how to improve his game. Not to mention the academy and Elite Development stars vying for their opportunity in the first team.

Kompany is in the peak of his career and, minus a few championships in his native Belgium, only has last season's FA Cup triumph to boast on his CV. But all that is about to change. He is at the heart of City's revolution, and he is going to be the man hoisting the trophies aloft as he goes down in history as being one of the club's most successful captains.

Player Preview #3 - Wayne Bridge

HAVING joined West Ham United on loan for the remainder of last season, Wayne Bridge now has a 'relegation black spot' on his CV for potential employers, as he looks set to be one of the players shipped out by Roberto Mancini this summer.

The former England left-back, who retired from the international scene after the 'John Terry saga' two seasons ago, was a first team regular when he completed his £12m move from Chelsea in January 2009, making 22 appearances in his first season, before adding another 28 in the 2009-10 campaign.

But, with the arrival of Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov, Bridge's first team opportunities were limited, and he made just seven outings last season - with the majority coming in the UEFA Europa League.

Now that Gaël Clichy has completed his £7m move from Arsenal, Bridge will find himself even further down the pecking order to fourth or maybe even fifth choice, with Pablo Zabaleta and Joleon Lescott preferred to slot in at left-back.

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The former Chelsea man, who began his career at Southampton, will be surplus to requirements this season - unless, touch wood, all four players above him in the pecking order sustain some sort of horrific injury.

With Clichy leaving Arsenal, it has started a transfer bidding war for Newcastle United left-back Jose Enrique between the Gunners and Liverpool. Should any deal for the Spaniard go through, it seems likely that the Magpies will move for out-of-favour Bridge, who could be available for around £6m.

The 30-year-old will always be remembered by City fans for his refusal to shake former best friend Terry's hand during the 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in February 2010. Tension had ben building between the two players after it was revealed that the Chelsea skipper had been having an affair with Bridge's then girlfriend.

So much was the anticipation of the handshake, SkySports even changed the schedule of their advertisements before the game just to broadcast the face-off between the two players.

It seems likely that the number three shirt will be vacated by Bridge this season, but I would like to wish him all the best for the rest of his career - should his future lie away from Eastlands.

Player Preview #2 - Micah Richards

NO doubt one of Manchester City's finest academy graduates, Micah Richards will be sampling Champions League football for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to Europe's elite competition.

Last term, we saw his surging runs down the flanks in the UEFA Europa League campaign, and continental defenders seemed unable to cope with his raw pace and determination.

The 2010-11 season was one of Richards best, a close contender to the 2007-08 season under the charge of Sven-Gӧran Eriksson when the powerful defender was the Blues' stand out performer.

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Since that campaign, Richards has had a tough couple of seasons, finding it hard to cement a regular starting berth. Too many hours in the gym meant that he had bulked up and he lost his pace, and the form of Pablo Zabaleta was inspiring.

But soon the Birmingham-born full-back would regain his form and he became a integral cog in Roberto Mancini's plans last season. Since bursting onto the scene in as a 17-year-old in 2005 against Arsenal, Richards has gone on to make just shy of 200 appearances for City.

Now, at the age of 23, the defender is coming into the peak of his career and is still improving as a professional. The first taste of silverware with last season's FA Cup triumph is just what Richards needed to kick-start a successful career.

The first trophy is always the hardest to secure, but now Richards has sampled glory, he will be hungry for more. Hopefully the hunger will not turn into starvation as the years roll on, but one thing is for certain - he is at the club during an exciting time where trophies are going to be round every corner.

Savic In Good Kompany

SHOULD Stefan Savic complete his transfer to Manchester City from Partizan Belgrade, he will be the understudy of one of the stand-out defenders of last season in the shape of Vincent Kompany.

At just 20-years-old, Savic has made six appearances for the Montenegro national team - including a start in the 0-0 draw with England in the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign at Wembley.

With the departure of Carlos Tevez seemingly imminent, it is likely that Kompany will be handed the captain's armband for the new season - and what a leader the Belgian could prove to be.

Already the role model for young fellow countryman Dedryck Boyata, the 25-year-old will be able to take Savic under his wing as he develops into another fine centre back to be at the heart of City's defence for many years to come.

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It is another shrewd swoop from Roberto Mancini, having already dipped his toes into the water with the £7m capture of Gaël Clichy from Arsenal on Monday. The deal for Savic is believed to be in the region of £6m, which would take City's spending to £13m this summer - a stark comparison to the £105m last summer, and the £120m the summer before that. But not to worry, it is early days in the window - I am sure Mancini will find a way to strengthen the squad with another £100m.

However, this is not Savic's first experience of life at an English club. In 2010, the centre-back had a ten day trial with Arsenal - with whom he said he had agreed to join in the summer. The transfer never went through and the youngster signed for Partizan.

There is not a player yet that Mancini has brought in who is not up to the standard of the Premier League. Granted, striker Edin Dzeko had a tough first season at the club, but, like all City fans, I believe the Bosnian will be a handful next season.

Whether Savic will have an immediate role remains to be seen, but I can only say that I am excited to see another fine prospect at Eastlands - a player who could become another leader and be lifting trophies in the not too distant future.

Welcome to Manchester.

The Final Farewell?

I CANNOT understand why Carlos Tevez is so discontent with life at Manchester City. The man is on more than £200k-a-week, is worshipped by avid and loyal supporters (who even had the decency to embrace him after he submitted a transfer request last season) and is at a club that is moving so quickly in the right direction he will soon be unable to move for silverware.

Apparently it is 'impossible to find a house in Manchester for less than £6m' - not from where I am looking. Poor Tevez, maybe he wants a house with carpets so he does not slip when walking in his diamond shoes.

The captain of a football club should lead by example, not make a mockery of everyone associated. While the 27-year-old can be replaced (should any team be able to match the asking price - and astronomical wages) it will still be a bitter blow to the fans who have tried to make him feel so at home since he joined in 2009.

Although he maintains that he is unhappy regarding the situation with his family, surely he has enough money for them to be moved to England.

Yet, I cannot stay frustrated for too long. No one can deny what he has achieved at the club. His goalscoring record alone is sensational, with 52 goals for City - including three against Manchester United.

If his wish to leave the club is granted by Roberto Mancini, the squad will certainly miss the energy levels that Tevez provides. His presence in the team seems to ignite the rest of the players and spark the game into life.

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The game against Tottenham Hotspur is a key example. Although City were already 1-0 up, his pure passion and determination shone through and he revitalised the team just when it looked like the visitors were going to snatch a late equaliser.

Many things can be said about Tevez - that his attitude towards the club in recent times has been poor, and, while this may be true, no one can question his work rate. For months the Argentine has been unhappy with life in Manchester, yet he has turned out and given his all for the club.

While City fans may be disappointed - maybe even angry - about his decision to want to move to pastures new, who are we to stand in his way and berate him? If you were unhappy in a job and were offered a new opportunity the surely you would take it?

It is time we accept that Tevez has his heart set on a move away from Eastlands and we should wish him all the best for the future. It is likely that he will return to play against City in the Champions League at some point in his career, and I, like many other Blues, will be applauding rather than a select minority who deem it necessary to hurl abuse at a one time hero, forgetting all of the wonderful things he did in his time at the club.

If this is the end, remember that he was the FA Cup winning captain.

Gaël Force

MANCHESTER City are edging ever closer to their first acquisition of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal's Gaël Clichy having a medical at a private hospital in the North-West.

The deal is reported to be in the region of £7m - a figure that is normally trebled when it comes to City's excursions in the transfer market. Several times in the past few seasons, the club has been held to ransom because of the seemingly bottomless pit of money available to the club since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought City in September 2008.

In that time, more than £300m has been invested on new players as City continue their push for football domination.

The arrival of Clichy is likely to signal the end of Wayne Bridge's Eastland's career, while it also throws question marks over the capability of Aleksandar Kolarov, who Roberto Mancini purchased for £16m from Lazio last summer.

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Despite making 24 Premier League appearances, the Serbian did not live up to the expectations of his price tag. It is the perfect opportunity to provide competition for the left-back position, with Argentine Pablo Zabaleta more than capable of filling in when needed.

Strength in depth has always been one of Mancini's main policies when he took charge in December 2009, and the arrival of an established defender - who can boast Champions League experience on his CV - emphasises the attraction of Eastlands.

Clichy has made over 200 appearances in his career, and at just 25-years-old Mancini has targeted a player who is at his peak. The Frenchman possesses great pace and a fantastic attacking drive - which will be crucial in City's bid to land a first Premier League title.

The Arsenal man, who began his career at Cannes, won the Premier League title with the Gunners in the 2003-04 campaign, while also helping Arsene Wenger's men to FA Cup glory in 2005. Clichy was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2007-08 season, where he played every game for the North London club.

Player Preview #1 - Shay Given

ALTHOUGH Shay Given only played a handful of games in the last campaign due to the incredible form of Joe Hart, he is still regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League.

His demands for first team football mean that it is likely the Republic of Ireland number one will be heading out of Eastlands this summer - with Aston Villa seemingly his most likely destination, in what could be a promising transfer window for Roberto Mancini.

His last appearance in a Manchester City shirt was in the 1-1 at Juventus in December, as City secured qualification from the UEFA Europa League.

Prior to that outing Given only made one other appearance in the Carling Cup exit at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.

Having made a sensational debut in the 1-0 victory at home to Middlesbrough in the 2008-09 season when he completed his £6m move from Newcastle United, Given immediately became a fans' favourite.

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The price tag was considered by many as being a bargain for such a talented goalkeeper, who was a key figure in City's surge for European football in the 2009-10 season, before he dislocated his shoulder towards the end of the campaign in a 0-0 draw at Highbury.

Since then, the development of Hart has seen Given's first team opportunities limited, and it is understandable why the 35-year-old would prefer a move away from City - with a host of clubs vying for his signature.

While Aston Villa lead the charge, it is also rumoured that Arsenal, West Brom and recently relegated Sampdoria are also interested in completing a deal for Given, who has notched up 113 caps for Ireland.

There will be many City fans hoping that Given decides to see out his career at Eastlands - it is, however, unlikely. A player of his calibre needs to be playing games at the highest level and it would be unfair for Mancini to deny him a move away for the second consecutive season.

He has played in more than 400 Premier League games and has made over 100 appearances in domestic and European competitions. While his departure will be a great loss to City, it will be a fantastic acquisition for whichever team Given decides to join.

BlueView Kick-Off...

THIS is a new blog called BlueView - which focuses entirely on Manchester City Football Club. Whether it be a 'Blast From The Past' or current affairs, everything you read on here will be completely my opinion (unless there is an 'Ex-BLUE-sive' interview) and no offence is intended.

So what can you expect to find on BlueView?

Well, aside from keeping up to date with current affairs, the hope is to interview some of the former players who were the original foundations of the club during the darkest days of it's time.

I thought a good way to kick-off a new blog would be to have a player preview in squad number order - meaning Shay Given will be the first player under the spotlight.

Enjoy BlueView...