depps said:
Dax777 said:
Kolarov had 20 games at left back last season, Zaba 13 and all the other 7. So that is 40 games on the left. This will probably rise to 55 - 60 this season. Assuming kids will be given 5-10 that leaves 45 to 55 games to share between 2 players at the most. Injury rotation and the like will see the get 25/20 split or a 30/20 split if Cissohko proves to be distinctly superior. This assuming neither gets injured, which is unlikely.
Trust me there will be no issues. This happens at big clubs all the time. The biggest stars start a lot of games and the mid-range stars share time. Unless they want to play at midlevel clubs, there will be no problem. Neither is world class. Both are quite decent. They will share games as coach sees fit, and will be fine with it.
And you expect either of them to be happy with 20 odd games a season if both avoid major injuries? First choice players at Champs League clubs typically play more than 40 games a season.
Even if they are happy with the number of games one will be very much a first choice playing the big games while the other will be backup, neither of them are going to be happy to be backup.
You can try and spin it however you want but Kolarov was brought here on the understanding that he would be first choice left back (presumably Cissokho will be the same if he does come) so we will not be keeping both of them for the long term. I can't think of a single club that has two 15mil specialist fullbacks on the same side. It would quite simply be a major waste of resources to do that.
Lescott was brought here to start, so was Bridge, so are many other players in many different teams. What determines if you start is your performance. If Kolarov continues to play poorly and Cissohko lights up the league, Kolarov will quietly go to the bench.
Yes, other clubs will ask to sign him, and if they are willing to pay we will let them. But the point is this, there will be no trouble. Even this season there were times when Kolarov was healthy and still Mancini picked Zabaletta. Talk less another real leftback.
I am sorry but Kolarov is not a star. And will not get the star treatment. He will play when the coach says he cam play. Even Dzeko and Balotelli who are bonafied stars seat on the bench talkless a mere Kolarov who was actually one of the poorer players. Players are not stupid, they know where they rank on the totem pole. Kolarov is very low.
Even Micah who is English, and an International seats when he is told. Nani who was the best midfielder in the league seats when he is told, Berbatov the highest goal scorer, Drogba perhaps the best pure striker the last 4 years seats- Who is Kolarov? or Cissohko for that matter to dictate to a CL club.
Sorry, this is not the old City anymore. Mancini rules, and his grip is only about to get tighter. You should have seen who were seating at Inter 4 years ago.
Anyway, all this said, this might be a moot point as some are claiming it is Moussa we are after not Aly!
