Matt Diablo
Well-Known Member
Robinho wants to stay at Manchester City, says Stephen Ireland
Published 23:00 11/11/09 By Oliver Holt in Abu Dhabi
Controversial Brazilian superstar Robinho has finally become a team player at Manchester City, Stephen Ireland claimed last night.
Robinho has been linked almost daily with a January transfer to Barcelona and enraged City fans by describing the prospect as his 'dream move'.
But Ireland, who has little time for anyone he feels is not pulling their weight, leapt to the striker's defence yesterday when he was asked if Robinho satisfied his rigid criteria for a man committed to the City cause.
"Very surprisingly, yes," Ireland said. "I'm not being harsh on Elano and players like that, who were good people and good friends to me when they were here, but them leaving has been a real blessing for Robinho because he has really come out of his shell.
"They all used to stay in this little clan and you didn't see much of Robinho, but now he's different. We were actually having a conversation last night about the club.
"He really thinks deeply about the club. He seems really happy and contented. Even his family seems settled and he seems to be really at home.
"I've seen it more this season. Since he came back in the summer he's been a different person. He's really been a character in the dressing room and around the training ground."
City have categorically denied rumours that they were to meet Barcelona here in the Gulf this week to discuss Robinho's transfer to Spain.
They are also furious at suggestions that the club hierarchy has already accepted that Robinho does not want to be at the club.
They have blamed the rumours on mischief-making from one of Robinho's representatives, who has been staying at the same hotel as the team in Abu Dhabi.
"I've no indication where this speculation is coming from," Ireland said. "Maybe because he's a big name player. No way does he seem to want to go somewhere else, definitely not.
"We were warming up last night before training and we were talking about all the speculation. I told him I was really looking forward to him coming back into the team because last season he set up most of my goals.
"'I can't wait to get back into the team, either', he said, which didn't sound like someone who wants to get away.
"I think he is very happy here. I don't see why he would want to go back to Spain anyway. And I don't see why the club would just let him go.
"He is the type of player that when he dwells on the ball and takes more touches, all players are moving towards him and opening gaps. He's only had one season here so why would he move now? There are so many indications it's not going to happen."
Published 23:00 11/11/09 By Oliver Holt in Abu Dhabi
Controversial Brazilian superstar Robinho has finally become a team player at Manchester City, Stephen Ireland claimed last night.
Robinho has been linked almost daily with a January transfer to Barcelona and enraged City fans by describing the prospect as his 'dream move'.
But Ireland, who has little time for anyone he feels is not pulling their weight, leapt to the striker's defence yesterday when he was asked if Robinho satisfied his rigid criteria for a man committed to the City cause.
"Very surprisingly, yes," Ireland said. "I'm not being harsh on Elano and players like that, who were good people and good friends to me when they were here, but them leaving has been a real blessing for Robinho because he has really come out of his shell.
"They all used to stay in this little clan and you didn't see much of Robinho, but now he's different. We were actually having a conversation last night about the club.
"He really thinks deeply about the club. He seems really happy and contented. Even his family seems settled and he seems to be really at home.
"I've seen it more this season. Since he came back in the summer he's been a different person. He's really been a character in the dressing room and around the training ground."
City have categorically denied rumours that they were to meet Barcelona here in the Gulf this week to discuss Robinho's transfer to Spain.
They are also furious at suggestions that the club hierarchy has already accepted that Robinho does not want to be at the club.
They have blamed the rumours on mischief-making from one of Robinho's representatives, who has been staying at the same hotel as the team in Abu Dhabi.
"I've no indication where this speculation is coming from," Ireland said. "Maybe because he's a big name player. No way does he seem to want to go somewhere else, definitely not.
"We were warming up last night before training and we were talking about all the speculation. I told him I was really looking forward to him coming back into the team because last season he set up most of my goals.
"'I can't wait to get back into the team, either', he said, which didn't sound like someone who wants to get away.
"I think he is very happy here. I don't see why he would want to go back to Spain anyway. And I don't see why the club would just let him go.
"He is the type of player that when he dwells on the ball and takes more touches, all players are moving towards him and opening gaps. He's only had one season here so why would he move now? There are so many indications it's not going to happen."