Torres, Man City and What Gives
I noted with interest this morning that Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has indicated that he would put in a bid for Liverpool’s Fernando Torres “if the price is right”. Is this arrogant assumption on his or City’s part? Although I’m not saying for one minute that Fernando Torres will remain a Liverpool player this coming season, I’m astonished to think that City really believe Torres would consider them if he did decide to move.
With Reds boss Roy Hodgson admitting yesterday that the Spanish striker does have a “beef” with Liverpool, this indicates that if he were to move on then it would be for footballing reasons alone. In other words, Champions League football (among other things) would feature very highly on Torres’ list of “footballing reasons” (or so I’m assuming). The Liverpool number nine may well yet surprise a few people by committing his immediate future to the Reds, but personally I now somehow doubt this, especially after Hodgson’s comments yesterday.
Nevertheless, should he decide to call time on his Anfield career to seek pastures anew and a supposed future laden with trophies and accolades, do you seriously think he would choose Manchester City over, let’s say, Chelsea or Barcelona. I somehow feel the lure of Manchester City is not quite something that will pull players for “footballing reasons” (although I’m very sure Yaya Toure will tell you he only went to City for footballing reasons – all 200k of them!) just yet. I’m not saying City won’t push for the league title this season, they probably will, but to be honest I can’t see them winning it.
But let’s get back to the now and see how City differ from Liverpool in terms of “footballing reasons”. Well, for starters, they’re in the Europa League, just like Liverpool. So no footballing reasons there then. Are Manchester City a club with pedigree and history, famed around the world? Nah, no footballing reasons there either. So what is it that City can actually offer a player? One thing, and one thing only at the moment – more wages. Does Torres strike you like a player interested in the money? Not to me he doesn’t. If he does decide to leave Liverpool then, it will be for “proper” footballing reasons – sorry City and Mancini, that rules you out of the chase.
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