Andrew Mwanguhya
11 July 2009
Kampala — Money bags Manchester City are at it again. The midlands club boast of loads of cash that they are ready to spend it on any player as long as club manager Mark Hughes expresses interest in him.
The latest target is Chelsea's heart and soul in defence, John Terry. City launched a 30 million pound bid for the blues' skipper but Chelsea have since turned it down. And that doesn't mean City's Abu Dhabi rulers will back off.
City's seemingly unrelenting interest in the 28-year-old is causing a nagging scare at Stamford Bridge that must have new manager Carlo Ancelotti turning countless times in his bed.
What a turn around! Just recently, Chelsea ruled the transfer market with a wave of Roman Abramovich's powerful cheque-book but suddenly, are on the receiving end of a financial muscle being wielded by the Abu Dhabi rulers.
And now, 300, 000 pounds (Shs1b) a week has been brandished before Terry by the midlands club. The Chelsea captain has neither dismissed claims he's interested in a move to City nor committed his future to his current club amidst this speculation.
He has only come close to pouring his heart out to his bosses at Chelsea by revealing to his friends his dissatisfaction at the club's seemingly uninterested character in this hullabaloo.
"John feels betrayed and even unwanted. He wants to know what's going on and, more importantly, whether Chelsea actually want to keep him or cash in while they have a chance," a source told The Sun newspaper.
But are there any realistic chances the Three Lions' and Blues' captain will be protecting city's goal keeper Shay Given next season? Look, Terry currently earns 145, 000 pounds (Shs493m) a week and Chelsea, in a bid to wave off City's advances, are offering their captain an extra 15, 000 pounds, totaling to 160, 000 pounds (Shs544m) a week. That would make him the highest paid player at the club, above Frank Lampard at 150, 000 pounds (Shs510m).
Shs1b a week
But the Abu Dhabi money men are offering Terry Shs1b a week. That is money no one can turn down easily and, true, it could lure Terry away from the Bridge. And that could become a reality if Chelsea do not stop their flirtations with City over Terry and look into the player's concerns.
Should that occur, the Chelsea skipper will dwarf Cristiano Ronaldo's weekly salary of 250,000 pounds (Shs850m) at Real Madrid as the highest paid footballer in the world. But that wouldn't be reason enough to persuade Terry away from the Bridge. He is a man with an enviably strong character and commands self respect both in the dressing room and amongst his bosses.
All Terry wants is Chelsea to show him that he is important to the club and that they are making effort to keep him. He believes they 'owe' him just as he gave them his all, the 12 years he's been at the club.
In soccer, it's not all about money unless, of course, the interested club boasts of classical pedigree and plays Champions League football. This was proved by Kaka turning down City's 500, 000 pounds (Shs1.7b) a week to join Real Madrid, when the midlands club made an 100 million pounds bid to AC Milan mid last season
Missing European football
And how would England coach Fabio Capello love it his captain missing out on Champions League football! Unthinkable. It's unthinkable that such a symbolic Stamford Bridge figure could be spirited away by a club that cannot even offer him European football.
Terry wouldn't relish shoving shoulders with only the James Beatties and Darren Bents of this world, with all due respect to the these players, the whole season. He would love the same test against Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, name them, and those will only be found in the Champions League.
Bringing the discussion back to England, Manchester City have made telling signings in Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and former Manchester United fans' favourite Carlos Tevez.
With last season's record signing Robinho and midfield orchestrator Steve Ireland in their ranks, City are a team to cause surprises next season. But it'll just be that. Surprises. Not that they are going to finish in the top four, leave alone winning the league.
More so, Terry is not about to start hunting for the Champions League trophy from the most of the unlikely places - City of Manchester Stadium. He has come so close to winning it several times with Chelsea and he knows City is not the right place if you're looking for that much coveted club cup. The Chelsea Skipper is also not about to start planning how he will spend his energy fighting to finish in the top four the whole season. The man is a born winner. Period. That said, Ancelotti will hope, himself, not Mark Hughes, will be issuing orders to his captain next season.
Man City have made their intentions clear. Both club chief executive Peter Kenyon and boss Ancelotti have said Terry is not for sale. The ball, now, is in Terry's court.
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