Fernando

[SebastianBlue]

Tweet from City_Watch: Daily Mail: Pellegrini plans to sign and base next year's CL campaign around Fernando and will attempt to make the team less open in Europe.

I trust what the board and MP have in mind for the midfield since they brought in Dinho and didn't give up on Garcia like a lot of fans did.

Hear, hear.

 

[pudge]

Here's the full story..

Fernando, Eliqaum Mangala and Bacary Sagna still Manchester City targets despite heavy Financial Fair Play sanctions

- Manuel Pellegrini pushing ahead with top targets despite FFP sanctions
- Porto duo Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna top list
- City may be forced to sell Javi Martinez and Matija Nastasic to fund moves
- Joleon Lescott already departed but James Milner, Jack Rodwell, Micah Richards considering their options after lack of first-team action

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is pushing ahead with the signing of Porto’s £20million midfielder, Fernando, as he devises a strategy to win the Champions League next season with just 21 players.

Pellegrini plans to base his next European campaign around the Brazilian — one of the best holding midfielders in the world — after accepting that the team need to tighten up following three successive Champions League failures.

City are determined that Friday’s punishment by UEFA for breaking Financial Fair Play rules, consisting of a heavy fine and squad restrictions, will not alter their ambitions for next season.

But UEFA want City to include the full quota of eight home-grown players in their squad of 21 — cut from 25 — and a UEFA spokesman confirmed: ‘All clubs will have to abide by the regulations.’

UEFA’s stance will force City into difficult decisions over who to leave out, although a senior club source said: ‘There will be no change in transfer strategy.’ That means Fernando, Porto team-mate Eliaquim Mangala and Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna are still expected to sign this summer.

Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic may be sold to raise funds, while a number of English players, including World Cup-bound James Milner, are considering their futures because of a lack of first-team opportunities. Milner’s contract talks have stalled as he enters the final year of his current deal.

Fernando, 26, is regarded as a particularly important acquisition by Pellegrini, who privately acknowledged after the club’s Champions League exit to Barcelona last season that he might have to be more cautious in big games to succeed against Europe’s elite.

Pellegrini’s plan is to use Fernando as a defensive midfield player, allowing Fernandinho and Yaya Toure to play ahead of him. That would mean City playing with just one striker in a 4-1-4-1 system for some European games, leaving Alvaro Negredo in danger of missing out altogether on City’s reduced Champions League squad. Despite a £1billion investment in City since 2008, the club’s Abu Dhabi owners have yet to see them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, despite twice winning the Premier League.

UEFA’s sanctions pose difficult problems as City plan for next season. In addition to the £49m fine — £33m of which is suspended — and European squad restrictions, City must not increase their wage bill and cannot spend more than £49m net in this transfer window.

Whatever questions are thrown at City, however, Pellegrini believes Fernando is the answer because of his willingness to help protect the defence at all times.

The 6ft 1in player has twice before been close to coming to the Premier League. Everton boss Roberto Martinez applied for and received a work permit for him on deadline day last summer only for the move to break down when Porto failed to sign a replacement. City then tried to sign Fernando in January in a double deal with Mangala but failed to agree a fee with their Portuguese club.

Fernando’s new contract has a £20m buy-out clause. However, his impending arrival will have a knock-on effect with City’s English players growing increasingly disenchanted about their lack of game time.

City need eight home-grown players if they name the full allocation of 25 allowed for their Premier League squad.

They have already lost Joleon Lescott, whose contract has run out, and Milner is in no hurry to negotiate his new deal. The 28-year-old was disappointed to be left out of their team for the Capital One Cup final and the final Premier League game of the season against West Ham, when they clinched the title.

City would love Milner to stay because of his versatility — a stance that will surely only harden following UEFA’s ruling — and the lack of top English players good enough for their squad.

If Milner refuses to renew his deal, they could either sell him this summer or hold him to the final year to make up their home-grown quota but lose him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Defender Micah Richards, who interests Liverpool, is in a similar position. Richards has 12 months left on his contract but will not sign a new one having spent most of last season on the sidelines.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell, 23, is also desperate for games. He was hardly used by Pellegrini despite being fit for virtually the entire campaign and missed any chance of being in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad as a result. Milner, Richards and Rodwell had only 15 Premier League starts between them last season — 12 of those by Milner.

Spanish midfielder Garcia will be allowed to leave as City are not permitted more than 17 overseas players aged over 21 in their Premier League squad.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2631373/Fernando-Eliqaum-Mangala-Bacary-Sagna-Manchester-City-targets-despite-heavy-Financial-Fair-Play-sanctions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... tions.html</a>

 

[George Hannah]

Here's the full story..

Fernando, Eliqaum Mangala and Bacary Sagna still Manchester City targets despite heavy Financial Fair Play sanctions

- Manuel Pellegrini pushing ahead with top targets despite FFP sanctions
- Porto duo Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna top list
- City may be forced to sell Javi Martinez and Matija Nastasic to fund moves
- Joleon Lescott already departed but James Milner, Jack Rodwell, Micah Richards considering their options after lack of first-team action

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is pushing ahead with the signing of Porto’s £20million midfielder, Fernando, as he devises a strategy to win the Champions League next season with just 21 players.

Pellegrini plans to base his next European campaign around the Brazilian — one of the best holding midfielders in the world — after accepting that the team need to tighten up following three successive Champions League failures.

City are determined that Friday’s punishment by UEFA for breaking Financial Fair Play rules, consisting of a heavy fine and squad restrictions, will not alter their ambitions for next season.

But UEFA want City to include the full quota of eight home-grown players in their squad of 21 — cut from 25 — and a UEFA spokesman confirmed: ‘All clubs will have to abide by the regulations.’

UEFA’s stance will force City into difficult decisions over who to leave out, although a senior club source said: ‘There will be no change in transfer strategy.’ That means Fernando, Porto team-mate Eliaquim Mangala and Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna are still expected to sign this summer.

Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic may be sold to raise funds, while a number of English players, including World Cup-bound James Milner, are considering their futures because of a lack of first-team opportunities. Milner’s contract talks have stalled as he enters the final year of his current deal.

Fernando, 26, is regarded as a particularly important acquisition by Pellegrini, who privately acknowledged after the club’s Champions League exit to Barcelona last season that he might have to be more cautious in big games to succeed against Europe’s elite.

Pellegrini’s plan is to use Fernando as a defensive midfield player, allowing Fernandinho and Yaya Toure to play ahead of him. That would mean City playing with just one striker in a 4-1-4-1 system for some European games, leaving Alvaro Negredo in danger of missing out altogether on City’s reduced Champions League squad. Despite a £1billion investment in City since 2008, the club’s Abu Dhabi owners have yet to see them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, despite twice winning the Premier League.

UEFA’s sanctions pose difficult problems as City plan for next season. In addition to the £49m fine — £33m of which is suspended — and European squad restrictions, City must not increase their wage bill and cannot spend more than £49m net in this transfer window.

Whatever questions are thrown at City, however, Pellegrini believes Fernando is the answer because of his willingness to help protect the defence at all times.

The 6ft 1in player has twice before been close to coming to the Premier League. Everton boss Roberto Martinez applied for and received a work permit for him on deadline day last summer only for the move to break down when Porto failed to sign a replacement. City then tried to sign Fernando in January in a double deal with Mangala but failed to agree a fee with their Portuguese club.

Fernando’s new contract has a £20m buy-out clause. However, his impending arrival will have a knock-on effect with City’s English players growing increasingly disenchanted about their lack of game time.

City need eight home-grown players if they name the full allocation of 25 allowed for their Premier League squad.

They have already lost Joleon Lescott, whose contract has run out, and Milner is in no hurry to negotiate his new deal. The 28-year-old was disappointed to be left out of their team for the Capital One Cup final and the final Premier League game of the season against West Ham, when they clinched the title.

City would love Milner to stay because of his versatility — a stance that will surely only harden following UEFA’s ruling — and the lack of top English players good enough for their squad.

If Milner refuses to renew his deal, they could either sell him this summer or hold him to the final year to make up their home-grown quota but lose him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Defender Micah Richards, who interests Liverpool, is in a similar position. Richards has 12 months left on his contract but will not sign a new one having spent most of last season on the sidelines.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell, 23, is also desperate for games. He was hardly used by Pellegrini despite being fit for virtually the entire campaign and missed any chance of being in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad as a result. Milner, Richards and Rodwell had only 15 Premier League starts between them last season — 12 of those by Milner.

Spanish midfielder Garcia will be allowed to leave as City are not permitted more than 17 overseas players aged over 21 in their Premier League squad.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2631373/Fernando-Eliqaum-Mangala-Bacary-Sagna-Manchester-City-targets-despite-heavy-Financial-Fair-Play-sanctions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... tions.html</a>

we've signed Javi Martinez and now we're selling him!!!!???

 

[SebastianBlue]

Here's the full story..

Fernando, Eliqaum Mangala and Bacary Sagna still Manchester City targets despite heavy Financial Fair Play sanctions

- Manuel Pellegrini pushing ahead with top targets despite FFP sanctions
- Porto duo Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna top list
- City may be forced to sell Javi Martinez and Matija Nastasic to fund moves
- Joleon Lescott already departed but James Milner, Jack Rodwell, Micah Richards considering their options after lack of first-team action

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is pushing ahead with the signing of Porto’s £20million midfielder, Fernando, as he devises a strategy to win the Champions League next season with just 21 players.

Pellegrini plans to base his next European campaign around the Brazilian — one of the best holding midfielders in the world — after accepting that the team need to tighten up following three successive Champions League failures.

City are determined that Friday’s punishment by UEFA for breaking Financial Fair Play rules, consisting of a heavy fine and squad restrictions, will not alter their ambitions for next season.

But UEFA want City to include the full quota of eight home-grown players in their squad of 21 — cut from 25 — and a UEFA spokesman confirmed: ‘All clubs will have to abide by the regulations.’

UEFA’s stance will force City into difficult decisions over who to leave out, although a senior club source said: ‘There will be no change in transfer strategy.’ That means Fernando, Porto team-mate Eliaquim Mangala and Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna are still expected to sign this summer.

Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic may be sold to raise funds, while a number of English players, including World Cup-bound James Milner, are considering their futures because of a lack of first-team opportunities. Milner’s contract talks have stalled as he enters the final year of his current deal.

Fernando, 26, is regarded as a particularly important acquisition by Pellegrini, who privately acknowledged after the club’s Champions League exit to Barcelona last season that he might have to be more cautious in big games to succeed against Europe’s elite.

Pellegrini’s plan is to use Fernando as a defensive midfield player, allowing Fernandinho and Yaya Toure to play ahead of him. That would mean City playing with just one striker in a 4-1-4-1 system for some European games, leaving Alvaro Negredo in danger of missing out altogether on City’s reduced Champions League squad. Despite a £1billion investment in City since 2008, the club’s Abu Dhabi owners have yet to see them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, despite twice winning the Premier League.

UEFA’s sanctions pose difficult problems as City plan for next season. In addition to the £49m fine — £33m of which is suspended — and European squad restrictions, City must not increase their wage bill and cannot spend more than £49m net in this transfer window.

Whatever questions are thrown at City, however, Pellegrini believes Fernando is the answer because of his willingness to help protect the defence at all times.

The 6ft 1in player has twice before been close to coming to the Premier League. Everton boss Roberto Martinez applied for and received a work permit for him on deadline day last summer only for the move to break down when Porto failed to sign a replacement. City then tried to sign Fernando in January in a double deal with Mangala but failed to agree a fee with their Portuguese club.

Fernando’s new contract has a £20m buy-out clause. However, his impending arrival will have a knock-on effect with City’s English players growing increasingly disenchanted about their lack of game time.

City need eight home-grown players if they name the full allocation of 25 allowed for their Premier League squad.

They have already lost Joleon Lescott, whose contract has run out, and Milner is in no hurry to negotiate his new deal. The 28-year-old was disappointed to be left out of their team for the Capital One Cup final and the final Premier League game of the season against West Ham, when they clinched the title.

City would love Milner to stay because of his versatility — a stance that will surely only harden following UEFA’s ruling — and the lack of top English players good enough for their squad.

If Milner refuses to renew his deal, they could either sell him this summer or hold him to the final year to make up their home-grown quota but lose him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Defender Micah Richards, who interests Liverpool, is in a similar position. Richards has 12 months left on his contract but will not sign a new one having spent most of last season on the sidelines.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell, 23, is also desperate for games. He was hardly used by Pellegrini despite being fit for virtually the entire campaign and missed any chance of being in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad as a result. Milner, Richards and Rodwell had only 15 Premier League starts between them last season — 12 of those by Milner.

Spanish midfielder Garcia will be allowed to leave as City are not permitted more than 17 overseas players aged over 21 in their Premier League squad.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2631373/Fernando-Eliqaum-Mangala-Bacary-Sagna-Manchester-City-targets-despite-heavy-Financial-Fair-Play-sanctions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... tions.html</a>

we've signed Javi Martinez and now we're selling him!!!!???

We're letting world-class English talent rot?! We would have won the league by December if we played them more often?

Sorry, it does seem that is what the author is trying to imply.

 

[NoahCity]

IMO we can't let Garcia and Nastasic leave. If Garcia leaves then we have just three reliable CMs. If Nastasic goes we have just three reliable CBs (assuming we bring in Mangala/Benatia). Keep them, Nastasic will continue to grow and Garcia is a good back up player as shown in the final months of the previous season.

 

[NoahCity]

Promising thought that it seems we will tighten up a bit at the back next season. Definitely our biggest problem was defensive stability, especially away from home.

 

[sam-caddick]

City Watch ‏@City_Watch 1 hr

The Mail claims that City plan to use a 4-1-4-1 system in some CL games w/ Fernando, Fernandinho and Yaya all playing, and just one striker.

This is what we need to do next season in the Champions League in my opinion, if we can get a top notch central defender to play with Vinny and start playing three in midfield to mae uis more solid with the inclusion of Fernando I reckon our squad with the correct tactics and self belief can challenge to win the European Cup.

Yaya for me is better off suited in the big games when played in a three as it frees up his defensive duties a bit and it allows him to be comfortable bombing forward when we are in possession.

Silva------------Sergio--------------Narsri
----------Yaya------------Ferny-------------
-----------------Fernando-------------------
Kolarov-Benatia*-Kompany-Zabaleta
--------------------Hart------------------------

*Benatia or Mangala

That team there should be challenging for the European Cup with the right tactics and self belief.

 

[FantasyIreland]

------------Aguero-----Jovetic--------
-------------------Yaya--------------
------------Silva---------Ferny--------
-----------------Fernando-------------------
Shaw---Benatia*-----Kompany---Zabaleta
--------------------Hart------------------------

 

[SebastianBlue]

------------Aguero-----Jovetic--------
-------------------Yaya--------------
------------Silva---------Ferny--------
-----------------Fernando-------------------
Shaw---Benatia*-----Kompany---Zabaleta
--------------------Hart------------------------

And we thought Nasri's girlfriend was upset about the WC snub.

 

[FantasyIreland]

------------Aguero-----Jovetic--------
-------------------Yaya--------------
------------Silva---------Ferny--------
-----------------Fernando-------------------
Shaw---Benatia*-----Kompany---Zabaleta
--------------------Hart------------------------

And we thought Nasri's girlfriend was upset about the WC snub.

I'm a big fan Of Jovetic and Nasri is most susceptible to that man love!