Comments on: Gareth Barry Signs with Manchester City for Less Than the Cost of a Cup of Coffee and Craig Bellamy http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/ Attacking Football Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:36:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paul_Brooklyn http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/#comment-6248 Paul_Brooklyn Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:38:51 +0000 http://www.runofplay.com/?p=10048#comment-6248 I've thought about this, and while the hypocritical, cynical money-grabber is he obvious story-line, I'm not entirely certain that's all there is to it. For a second, lets take on face value that he really is motivated by Champions League football. He's 29, so he's still got at least 2 years at the top of his game, most likely. So, as much as he'd like it to be, it doesn't have to be next year. Who, of the CL teams was going to sign him? United or Chelsea - overstocked with mostly better at his position. Liverpool or Arsenal - certainly, and reportedly interested last season. But certainly, and reportedly broke this. That's actually probably too pat an analysis, for the latter two, but I don't think Liverpool will be buying without selling, and I really don't think Arsène was ever really that interested. I don't see Barry as a player who is particularly well-suited for a foreign CL side (Arsenal, offered as evidence) so I think he may have made the pragmatic decision to choose the club most likely to break the top 4 next or the following season. Amongst: Villa, Everton, Man City, or "the field", who, if you were laying money down, would you pick? If you want to remain cynical (which admittedly is very easy to do, this is football) who would you pick, if you were also getting paid a fortune by one of them in the process. Certainly enough to dispel any linger doubts over City's chances Vis-à-vis Villa's. I’ve thought about this, and while the hypocritical, cynical money-grabber is he obvious story-line, I’m not entirely certain that’s all there is to it.

For a second, lets take on face value that he really is motivated by Champions League football. He’s 29, so he’s still got at least 2 years at the top of his game, most likely. So, as much as he’d like it to be, it doesn’t have to be next year.

Who, of the CL teams was going to sign him? United or Chelsea – overstocked with mostly better at his position. Liverpool or Arsenal – certainly, and reportedly interested last season. But certainly, and reportedly broke this. That’s actually probably too pat an analysis, for the latter two, but I don’t think Liverpool will be buying without selling, and I really don’t think Arsène was ever really that interested.

I don’t see Barry as a player who is particularly well-suited for a foreign CL side (Arsenal, offered as evidence) so I think he may have made the pragmatic decision to choose the club most likely to break the top 4 next or the following season. Amongst: Villa, Everton, Man City, or “the field”, who, if you were laying money down, would you pick?

If you want to remain cynical (which admittedly is very easy to do, this is football) who would you pick, if you were also getting paid a fortune by one of them in the process. Certainly enough to dispel any linger doubts over City’s chances Vis-à-vis Villa’s.

]]> By: Swaino http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/#comment-6139 Swaino Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:43:47 +0000 http://www.runofplay.com/?p=10048#comment-6139 ...dear jesus. This does baffle logic …dear jesus. This does baffle logic

]]> By: Elliott http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/#comment-6135 Elliott Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:58:44 +0000 http://www.runofplay.com/?p=10048#comment-6135 I think there is room in City's midfield for Barry, DeJong, Robinho, and Elano. Elano has looked decent wide right - he sends in a nice cross. However, the gaping hole up front has yet to be filled. Neither Jo nor Bellamy is the answer. And hey, City paid less than Liverpool offered? Hats off to City for not paying a ridiculous sum I think there is room in City’s midfield for Barry, DeJong, Robinho, and Elano. Elano has looked decent wide right – he sends in a nice cross.

However, the gaping hole up front has yet to be filled. Neither Jo nor Bellamy is the answer.

And hey, City paid less than Liverpool offered? Hats off to City for not paying a ridiculous sum

]]> By: Brett http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/#comment-6131 Brett Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:12:47 +0000 http://www.runofplay.com/?p=10048#comment-6131 $$$. $$$.

]]> By: joejoejoe http://www.runofplay.com/2009/06/02/gareth-barry-signs-with-manchester-city-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-craig-bellamy/#comment-6129 joejoejoe Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:53:52 +0000 http://www.runofplay.com/?p=10048#comment-6129 It's a good signing for Manchester City but I think it points to the end of Elano and Robinho at Citeh. When Mark Hughes dreams at night it's of scrappy doughboys who get the red ass, not the beautiful game. It’s a good signing for Manchester City but I think it points to the end of Elano and Robinho at Citeh. When Mark Hughes dreams at night it’s of scrappy doughboys who get the red ass, not the beautiful game.

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