But we haven't analyzed his last 5 years properly...
I'd like to see the lad get the whole summer off, recuperate and come back next season firing on all cylinders. He needs the rest and is the kind of player that could be pivotal to what Pep is going to try and do - there arent too many more intelligent players out there.
If he were a little more of a thinker maybe he'd have pulled himself out of this summer's Euros on the basis that the club pay him 200k a week and he's been injured or rubbish for most of the season. His rush to be selected and be fit for this tournament is endemic of the attitude too many footballers at Manchester City have had in the last few years. These lads need to learn WE are the priority. Not a fucking international tournament every summer.
It's telling though that it's rarely gotten a mention in a negative light (that he's off to the euros). If it were Vinny who were on his way the relevant thread would be full posts like my paragraph above.
Isn't he close to the magic 100 caps? Probably feels that if he puts club before country at this stage of his career then he won't get selected again.
If he were a little more of a thinker maybe he'd have pulled himself out of this summer's Euros on the basis that the club pay him 200k a week and he's been injured or rubbish for most of the season. His rush to be selected and be fit for this tournament is endemic of the attitude too many footballers at Manchester City have had in the last few years. These lads need to learn WE are the priority. Not a fucking international tournament every summer.
It's telling though that it's rarely gotten a mention in a negative light (that he's off to the euros). If it were Vinny who were on his way the relevant thread would be full posts like my paragraph above.
I doubt very much that the club pay him anything like £200K per week. Like you I don't know what he gets but not many players get remotely close to £200K per week. In any sport the pinnacle of achievement is to represent your country. We are not and should not be the priority. If you don't want international players then don't sign them.
It's not true that the pinnacle of every sport is international tournaments. Maybe 30 years ago that was the case but in football today it certainly isn't the case. And not withstanding that, it isn't about never playing any tournament, it's about being intelligent enough to know when your international career might start having a negative impact on your club career and maybe making allowances since the club are the ones paying your wages. I'm not really arsed whether he earns 200k a week, 150k a week, or 50k a week btw. The point is his JOB is playing football for Manchester City.