Tardelli chasing Man City move

Diego Tardelli hopes to catch the eye of Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

The Daily Mail says the Atletico Mineiro striker has been a regular in Dunga's squads since making his international debut in August.

But the Brazil boss has left out all home-based players for the friendlies against England in Doha on November 14 and against Oman three days later.

"I am happy to stay behind with Atletico and I'm sure that if I work, I can get in the (Brazil) squad again," he said. "I want to go to the finals, but we knew that players based in Brazil would not be called up for these friendlies."

The date with England would have been a chance for Tardelli to test himself against players who he may soon be coming up against in the Barclays Premier League.

City have scouted the joint top scorer in the Brazilian league, who has scored 15 in 25 matches this season, and he has been linked with a winter move to Eastlands.

News in Brief manchester city

A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.

Mark Hughes expects to see injured forward Robinho back in action next week. The Brazilian has been sidelined for over two months with a stress fracture of his ankle. During this spell Robinho has been constantly linked with a move to Barcelona but Hughes is relaxed about the situation. Hughes said: "The only problem is that he is not fit and I cannot play him. That will resolve itself, we hope, in the next week or so. It is about him getting back playing and enjoying his football again. And that takes away any other focus on Robi."

Stuart Pearce believes Manchester City's Michael Johnson has an excellent future ahead of him.

The 21-year-old scored for City in their 5-1 Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe United on Wednesday night.

It was his first goal since returning after more than a year out with an abdominal problem last month.

And Pearce, who gave Johnson his debut as City manager in 2006, reckons the midfielder can get back to his best.

The England Under-21 coach said: "He's an outstanding player and it's fantastic to see him back.

"Psychologially, just for him to be in the first team again will be a big lift.

"I know he has the ability to go a long, long way in the game and the sky's the limit for him.

"If he gets back to the level that I know he's capable of and he is getting in City's first team, then he'll certainly be in my Under-21s squad."

Spurs, Man City linked with Benfica star Cardozo

Benfica are battling to keep hold of star striker Oscar Cardozo.

O Jogo says a raft of Premiership clubs are chasing Cardozo for the January market, but Benfica insist they will not sell before the end of this season.

Blackburn, Tottenham, Manchester City and Newcastle are in the running for Cardozo, who is rated at £8 million by his Portuguese club.

Man City chasing Brazil top scorer Tardelli

Manchester City are watching Atletico Mineiro striker Diego Tardelli.

Brazilian sources say Tardelli, 24, is being tracked by City leading up to the January market.

The Daily Mail says there is talk of a move to St Etienne in France but, recently, Manchester City have been linked with him.

Tardelli, who struggled at PSV Eindhoven and Real Betis, is now equal top scorer in Brazil on 15 goals with Flamego ace Adriano.

Man City boss Hughes warns top four: Theres's many of us ready to replace you

Despite being held 1-1 by Wigan Athletic, Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is convinced they are a genuine top four contender.

Although City were not able to capitalise on defeats by Chelsea and Liverpool when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Wigan, it is already clear the cash-rich Blues will mount a sustained assault on the Premier League's established elite.

Third-placed Tottenham are also riding high, while Aston Villa will hope to maintain a challenge as well having got themselves into a great position last term, only to throw it away in a dismal final 10 games.

Such a disastrous finale is unlikely to happen again, which Hughes senses has led to a twitchiness amongst the high and mighty, which just makes them even more vulnerable.

"There are some good teams in the Premier League this year," said Hughes.

"There is a focus on ourselves because we have the ambition to have a good season. But the fact there is a threat to the teams who have had those top four places is adding extra pressure.

"You just sense maybe that feeling of invincibility is no longer there. Other teams think they can take points off them."

He added: "There are two or three teams who quietly think they can get into the top four.

"They don't broadcast it so they keep themselves under the radar. We can't help but be one of the teams people think should be in the top four. We have to deal with that anyway. I just think this year has the potential to be as open as it has ever been because the top four teams will drop points.

"That has been evident at the beginning of the season and I think it will continue. It is good for the Premier League."

Micah Richards has told City fans he is a fighter not a quitter.

The Blues and England defender is ready to battle his way back into the side after losing his place through injury to Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta.

And Micah dismissed as ‘total nonsense’ reports in the Sunday papers that he wants out.

“For them to suggest that I want to leave City is absolutely ridiculous. I have three and a half years left on my contract and when you look at the way this club is going who in their right mind would want to leave,” he told mcfc.co.uk in an exclusive interview.

“I am 21-years of age and people seem to forget that I am still learning my trade. I am just enjoying the ride. There is perhaps the impression out there that I am bit older than people think but I know I am not the finished product.


There will be seven people sat on it who all think they deserve to be in the starting line up - most of whom will be internationals - and that is great for the club and great for us as individuals because the way you improve is by training with and playing with better players.

“Obviously everyone wants to be playing, that is our profession, but by the same token when people are in the team and doing well the manager can’t just drop them. That would be totally unfair.

“Look at Stephen Ireland and how he played last season and at the start of this one. He hardly puts a foot wrong, gets an injury, the team does well and suddenly he has to sit on the bench too.

“That’s how far we have come as a group in the last few months and everyone has to be treated equally.”

Richards could yet get the chance to re-establish himself at the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon should Pablo Zabaleta fail to pass the doctor after limping out of World Cup action with a tweaked hamstring.

But even if he doesn’t make an immediate return the England under 21captain is ready to be patient.

“Pablo is a class player and has come into the side and done well,” he said.

“It is all about fighting hard in training and waiting for another chance in the side and when that chance arrives then taking it and holding on to that precious shirt.”

Man City boss Hughes confirms he can spend big in January

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed he can spend big in January on the right player.

Hughes met chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday with executive chairman Garry Cook.

He said: "As soon as one window closes, you begin planning for the next one, but I am quite happy with the attacking players I have.

"And I won't be bringing players in just to provide cover. It would be the wrong strategy to bring in players because of a short-term weakness.

"But if a good player is available and we think he would improve the squad on a longer basis, then we will look to do it."

Robinho admits to the lure of Barcelona

Robinho, whilst admitting admiration for the playing style of Barcelona, had had no contact with the Spanish giants.

The Brazilian only signed for Manchester City last year for £32million from Real Madrid but his brief stay at Eastlands has been blighted by constant rumours linking him with a move away from the club.

"Of course I would like to play for Barca. Who would not? We could have so much fun," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

"It would be a pleasure to play alongside (Lionel) Messi, my compatriot Dani Alves, Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, with all of them.

"They're a great team. I played against them and know their quality. But right now I can only do it on the PlayStation.

"It is a pleasure to watch Barca play. They look like the best Brazilian team with the way that they use the ball. Pep Guardiola's team is truly spectacular."

"It is an honour that a coach like him (Guardiola) speaks well of Robinho and values me as much as I have read he does. It fills my heart with pride," he added.

"But now is not a question of whether there is a loan move or I sign in the winter market or in the summer.

"It is a question of sitting down and talking when there is a serious and concrete proposal and as I have said before I have not personally received that.

"Now would not be the right time to say things that could be badly interpreted here or there.

"I have a contract with City and being the professional that I am, I am dedicated to them."

Barcelona move for Man City's Robinho a nightmare for Florentino

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is confident Barcelona will fail to prise Robinho away from Manchester City.

It was Perez who brought Robinho to Real from Santos and he enjoys a good relationship with the Brazilian winger. Despite his struggles in Europe, Perez has always maintained to confidants that Robinho would fulfill his potential.

Sport says his worst nightmare would be to see Robinho do just that - as a Barca player.

The Real president is in contact with City and Robinho representatives and has told his allies he is confident the Brazilian will stay. Perez is convinced Sheikh Mansour will make a personal plea to both the player and City boss Mark Hughes to make the situation work.

Given: Man City can beat anyone in league

Shay Given says Manchester City have enough quality to beat anyone in the Premiership.

The Irish goalkeeper says he is still amazed by the talent he sees in the dressing room.

He told BBC Sport: “It makes you feel great. You go out on the Saturday or Sunday or Monday, whenever the game is and you feel you have a realistic chance of winning the game.

"It doesn’t matter who you are playing. We’ve got a really strong squad of players, some of the best players from around the world and playing with guys like that can only enhance your game and enhance you as a player.

"It’s a great feeling to be honest, some of the players in there are really top drawer and it’s great to be a part of such a strong team and hopefully a successful team. We want to win trophies and all the players in that changing room are very hungry to do that so hopefully we can do that sooner rather than later.”

Man City plan to trump Man Utd for £20M Maicon

Manchester City are ready to make a £20 million offer for Inter Milan fullback Douglas Maicon.

The Sun says the January move is designed to blow rivals Manchester United's interest out of the water.

Boss Mark Hughes has up to £100m to spend when the transfer window reopens, but feels his team now needs only a little fine tuning.

And Inter Milan's Maicon is on the hit-list, as Hughes eyes the minimum of a Champions League slot next season.

Maicon, 28, is rated one of the world's best full-backs and has started all but three of Brazil's 17 World Cup qualifiers.

His agent, Antonio Caliendo, revealed United were big admirers and that did not go unnoticed by City, who will be happy to meet the player's £90,000-a-week pay demand.

Benfica star Ramires in Man City sights

The Sun says City hope to land Brazil international Ramires for £25m next summer if they fail with a £65m British record swoop for Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.

Boss Mark Hughes has up to £100m to spend when the transfer window reopens, but feels his team now needs only a little fine tuning.

Man City boss Hughes serious about £65M Ribery

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is determined to push through plans to land Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery.

The Sun says Hughes has up to £100m to spend when the transfer window reopens, but feels his team now needs only a little fine tuning.

Hughes has plans to sign Ribery with a £65m British record swoop

Bayern Munich fullback Lahm in Man City sights

Bayern Munich fullback Philipp Lahm is in Manchester City sights.

The People says should Micah Richards ask away from City in January, manager Mark Hughes will move for Germany international Lahm.

For the first time there is a willingness from the club to trade Richards at the right price enabling Hughes to make a major play for 25-year-old German international Lahm.