This week I spoke to Ric Turner from Manchester City blog Blue Moon.
Man City reportedly spent a massive £154m on incoming transfers this summer getting £52m in return for outgoing players. Are you happy with your transfers over the summer? Is the Premier League Financial Fair Play system working or is it all just a big farce?
Well, I do think FFP is a farce, and has been since its inception. It was purely brought in by dominant clubs such as United and Arsenal looking to preserve their position. Ironically, City now stand to benefit from it as it has effectively slammed the door shut on any other team wanting to break into the top four, but I still hope it is overturned in the courts as it’s nonsense to try and prevent clubs from investing.
I’m delighted with our transfers this summer, and it should be pointed out that our dealings were done within FFP restrictions. Player amortisation means that the deals are spread over the length of the contract, so it’s only effectively about £30m on the books this season (offset by transfer fees received). Someone needs to explain this to your vice-chairwoman though.
In terms of the players themselves, I think Sterling and De Bruyne are great signings and help address the lack of pace and youth in the side. Delph was a relative bargain, whilst Otamendi was arguably the best centre half in La Liga last season. All in all, it was an excellent transfer window and Txiki Begiristain deserves a lot of credit.
Do you think Man City will win the Premier League title this season?
Yes. Before the season I thought it would be between us and Chelsea, but their dreadful start (coupled with our great start) means we’re definitely favourites. An eleven point lead on Chelsea after just five games seems almost unthinkable.
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Bournemouth, Sunderland and Watford.
Manuel Pellegrini won Premier League Manger of the month for August. How do you rate him as a manger and how does he rank in order of of your best managers ever in your club history?
I don’t think Pellegrini really got the credit he deserved when he first came to England. To win a domestic double in your first season is a remarkable achievement, yet Brendan Rodgers was inexplicably given the manager of the year award. Last season was a disappointment, and it looked like he may lose his job, but a strong finish earned him a reprieve. Rumours Pep Guardiola persists, but I think it was a clever move by the club to extend his contract before the season began. It helped quell the speculation, and strengthened his position and authority.
If he wins the league again this season then there is a strong case for him being our greatest ever manager, but for the time being their accolade is reserved for Joe Mercer.
How do you rate West Ham’s new manager Slaven Bilic and how will he get on in the Premier League?
I like Bilic, and think he was a good appointment. He did well with the Croatian national team, and has got you playing good football. To win at Arsenal and Liverpool is no mean feat.
What league position can West Ham achieve this season under Bilic?
I definitely think you’ll finish in the top half, maybe as high as 8th.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose?
Dimitri Payet looks like a player.
Which lesser known Man City player should we include in our Fantasy dream team?
Even though he’s ostensibly a holding midfielder, Fernandinho has already scored twice and is in great form.
14 Supporters’ Trusts recently came together to petition the Government for a public inquiry about West Ham’s occupancy of the Olympic Stadium. Man City was not among those supporters’ trusts to support the petition but does the fact that West Ham got a good deal bother you as a football fan?
Not really. We were the beneficiaries of the Commonwealth Stadium, so good luck to you. Anything that makes self-righteous Spurs and Arsenal fans (amongst others) froth at the mouth is fine by me.
West Ham are due to take up their rental agreement at the Olympic Stadium next season. Man City also hire their Stadium from the City council reportedly paying £2.5m in rent and another £2m in naming rights which they later sold for £10m to Ethiad. Should Man City come under the same scrutiny that West Ham has over the Olympic Stadium deal?
I’m not sure if the two deals are comparable. As part of our deal, we handed over Maine Road in pretty much a straight swap, and paid to convert The Commonwealth Stadium into a football stadium. As far as I can tell (and please correct me if wrong), it appears that you were able to keep the proceeds from the sale of Upton Park and the taxpayer is paying for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium?
How do you expect Man City to setup against West Ham on Saturday Evening/ Team/formation prediction?
I think we’ll play 4-2-3-1, with the following players:
Hart
Sagna
Kompany
Mangala
Kolarov
Fernandinho
Toure
De Bruyne
Silva
Sterling
Aguero
West Ham have a 100% away record beating Liverpool and Arsenal away. What is your score Prediction for Saturday evening?
I think it will be a tough game. Your away record is excellent, and we’re coming off the back of a difficult midweek game. I think we’ll edge it 2-1.
My Thanks to Ric of the Blue Moon Blog
Twitter: @bluemoon_Mcfc