Buzzin Football

Robinho and Kaka say no to Man City with 13 days of the January Transfer Window to go

Terry Lane - Tuesday 20.01.09, 08:30am

Within hours of Kaka turning down a big money move to Manchester City, it has been reported that temperamental ’sulky pants’ Robinho has left Man City’s training ground and boarded a plane to Brazil.

Manchester City are having a mid-winter break and training in Tenerife. An official statement from the club only goes as far as to say Robinho is not at the training ground anymore.

Anyone suggesting Robinho hasn’t made an impact at Man City and on this season’s Premiership, and was a waste of money, should look at the Premier League Top Scorers. Even though Manchester City have not lived up to pre-season expectations, Robinho has scored 11 goals, only three behind top scorer Nicolas Anelka.

I haven’t heard any reasons given for Robinho flying back to Brazil, but I am assuming it has much to do with the amounts of money being offered in wages to attract Kaka to Man City. And there lies the main difference between the two highly talented Brazilian footballers.

Furthermore, I’m still convinced there are two teams being assembled at Man City, a ‘dream team‘ and a less glamorous list of players Mark Hughes requires to stamp his authority on the dysfunctional team he has inherited. A blend would be the best solution. But what Mark Hughes and Manchester City may need to do now is replace two Brazilians, not one!

The January transfer window is fast running out, and so far Manchester City’s forages into the transfer market have not lived up to expectations. Yesterday Craig Bellamy joined from West Ham for around £14 million. He joins big money movers Wayne Bridge from Chelsea (£10 million) and Holland international midfielder Nigel de Jong from Hamburg for around £13 million.

What Man City must still be looking for is to bring some proven quality in the way of a goalkeeper, several defenders and a defensive midfielder. And with West Ham joining Blackburn and Newcastle in stating they are unwilling to sell anymore of their top players in the January transfer window, I am wondering who Mark Hughes and and the Manchester City ‘dream teamers’ are calling now!