Can Riquleme fire Manchester City into the Champions League?
The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Argentina international and current Villareal benchwarmer Juan Román Riquelme is Sven-Goran Eriksson’s main target for the January transfer window. Riquelme hasn’t been a part of Villareal’s excellent start in La Liga, lead by former Manchester United and Parma striker Giuseppe Rossi. The Daily Mail reported it would cost a mere £6million to bring Riquelme to North England.
If I’m Eriksson, this has to be my priority. It’s obvious that Villareal has moved on without Riquelme, who is just months removed from leading Boca Juniors to the 2007 Copa Libertadores title, would fit right in with the way Manchester City is playing right now. The passing game at Manchester City is what Riquelme does best, and I believe he would slide into that midfield effortlessly.
Critics will say that Manchester City already has someone at Riquelme’s position – Elano – but I believe that could be fit on the same field together. I am a huge Elano fan, even though I did not see him much until this summer’s Copa America. He has had an impressive start to the Premiership season, and him and Riquelme operating together might just give Manchester City a shot at the title.
Elano has been playing behind a lone striker so far, and Riquelme could slide right next to him or a little behind provided a defensive midfielder is deployed behind both of them, and City have one in Dietmar Hamann. Don’t think a manager like Eriksson couldn’t find a way to fit both these guys on the field at the same time.
Riquelme is sill one of the best midfielders in the game, and while he may not be a main player for Argentina over the next year, there is no shame in losing your spot to the Messi(ah). Manchester City has been great this year, but this move could solidify a Champions League spot for next year.
What do you think – should Eriksson move for Riquelme? With Chelsea wobbling, could Riquelme’s inclusion fire Manchester City into the top four and thus into the Champions League?
Topics: Football Transfers, Manchester City
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Shot at the title? Are you nuts? City could have Messi, Ronaldinho, Rooney and Gerrard, and still wouldn’t have a shot at the title.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 15:43Obviously this numpty ‘Bjarkovic’ knows nothing about football and mcfc, must be still at nursery learning his abc’s!
October 2nd, 2007 @ 16:07Bjarkovic, are you on crack? With those kind of players? Are you doubting Sven? Have you even see a city game this season? Wait, you’re a Rag. That explains it.
Seriously? Man City should try and build the team slowly. They have a lot of young players, a steady pace will benefit the team more than an unsteady leap.
But if there someone who can get Man City into UCL, Sven’s the man. The rate that he got Man City gelling is absolutely amazing. And how they build such a eye pleasing passing game so soon is beyond me.
Comparing the Man City in the match vs Derby, and the one who compete against New Castle is like a different beast. A Cat vs The king of the Jungle.
And he promised that they will get better!
Surely anyone who’s not a Rag can see this.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 16:11He’s obviously Bjarkovicing mad!
October 2nd, 2007 @ 16:51Where do you get these stories from. When Sven makes his move and the ink is dried then you will know who he is after. Until then it’s pure speculation. Has Tranaldo and Nani moved in together yet? Nice boys them.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 17:26That would be taking it a little too far. At best they could muster a Champions’ League spot, now that Chelsea are in self destruct mode. That number four spot is certainly up for grabs. Well, they could even make it to number 3. But title this season looks highly unlikely.
Their midfield can still be run over by dominant opposition. Plus, Riquelme – if he comes – would need some time to adapt to the fast pace of the league.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 17:50shot at the title, hahahahahaha.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 18:45To be honest most Blues would happy in the top 10. Top 6 would be a dream. So all this talk of any higer is interesting, but not really reality.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 20:05If other footy fans had some reality in their diets, there be lots more empty seats at ground. Unfortunately most at the start of the season dine on optimism. Been there, seen it, done it.
‘Don’t think a manager like Eriksson couldn’t find a way to fit both these guys on the field at the same time’
May I refer to the Lampard/Gerrard saga?
October 2nd, 2007 @ 20:15Who would, in their right mind, swap Elano and Petrov for Nani-goat and Anderson (reincarnations of Kleberson and Djemba Djemba – the one so good they named him twice). The rags should be more concerned with the state of the United States Money Markets and Glazer’s loans.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 21:28I’m sorry, but you have to be having some laugh. Even though MCFC have been having a great start to the season, they aren’t worthy of a player like Riquelme, and won’t be for at least 2 years, even if they continue they’re current progress.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 22:10The so called “Lampard/Gerrard” thing i think wouldn’t really determine this.
Two world class CMs might not be able to play together but i think any two wingers/attacking mids can play together i cant think of an attacking Mid with 2 world class players together that doesn’t work out? If you can think of one tell me?
October 2nd, 2007 @ 22:34RIquelme is indeed fantastic with his skills. I smell trouble if he comes to Manchester City because he is one player who likes to “act” on the pitch.
My meaning of “act” is dont play to his true capability. In short, selling himself for $$$
October 2nd, 2007 @ 22:36Isn’t Elano already doing the job of Riquelme
October 3rd, 2007 @ 00:44If there’s any truth behind this, Elano and Riquelme are the same kind of player, and would just cause disruption within the City team.
Balance is seriously underated these days, even by managers. Just ask Jol, who has a hugely expensive strike force but crap defence. This is why teams like Arsenal have been performing so well (2 wingers, holding midfielder and Fabregas attacking).
The question is, would you choose Riquelme over Elano? The Argentine’s record at domestic and international level is impressive, but would it be worth unsettling City’s best player? Probably not.
And it definitely wouldn’t give them any shot at the title.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 01:036 Mil, Thats a bargain.. But how old is he now?
October 3rd, 2007 @ 13:03Surely he must be at least 29-odd and he just isn’t playing how he played footy like he was in the Champions League a few years back, He has declined..
But bear in mind he is still quite dangerous attacker, I think he could hgo well in the City attack
Why would City fans get offended at the suggestion that they won’t win the League this year. City fans are usually a laugh and quite realistic. Brilliant start to the season and have a shot at 4th place… something which I don’t think any would have envisaged 2 months ago.
I really like City and dislike United as a Club but even I can see that… but Nerazzuri, City not “worthy” of a player like Riquelme… what nonsense. Like they have to be one of the big four to be “allowed” to sign a big name player. That is such a pathetic attitude so prevalent with “fans” of the big 4 who think they have a divine right to every talented player in the world.
Good luck City (but the title?!)
October 3rd, 2007 @ 13:45Not the bloody title! I bet not one city fans dream of it right now. It’s the stupid quip that City doesn’t deserve an ounce of respect that got such response back.
At best, Top 4 would be a dream. Title? Nah. Too unrealistic.
May be if you were to say this in January transfer & Man City is sitting pretty in 2nd place. Then some might be able to see it.
Fifth Column, I’d bet he was talking about the mickey cup, right?
Title! It’s a great way to paint a bloody target on City fans! That’s what.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 16:35Whats going on with Thaksin Shinawatra??
October 3rd, 2007 @ 17:57Riquelme would not cut it in the Premiership. He’s slower than Baptista.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 17:59Alright – I exaggerated and you took it too literally. But the title takes more than that to win. Chelsea have shown that the players don’t make a team. They have to click and gel and I really don’t see that happening at City quick enough for them to become champions while Riquelme is still a player.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 22:06“Riquelme would not cut it in the Premiership. He’s slower than Baptista.”
October 4th, 2007 @ 02:12Haha well said Jason, also so true. I still think he could make a big difference in any team, but he’s too lazy anyway. and he’s not quite the same as Elano really, Elano is a much better dribbler(which is why he played on the left for Shaktar and where he plays for Brazil) whereas Riquelme is a better passer, but it would almost certainly upset the whole team if they both played, plus he’d be holding back the revelation this season that is Michael Johnson.