Manchester City

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OVERVIEW
Manchester City have spent 13 years in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. In the 2002/03 season, they became one of only two English teams to have qualified for the UEFA Cup through the 'Fair Play ranking'. This meant that the plush new City of Manchester Stadium was treated to European football just weeks after opening for the start of the following campaign.

Kevin Keegan and then Stuart Pearce, established the club in the Premier League, and under the latter, they finished in 14th place in the 2006/07 season. He was replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson who guided the club to a ninth place finish in the 2007/08 campaign. City also secured UEFA Cup football via the 'Fair Play ranking' for a second time.

However, Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes in June 2008 and in September 2008, a takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group suddenly made City one of the richest clubs in the world. On deadline day, they smashed the British transfer record with a surprise £32.5m swoop for Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho. However they failed in a £100m bid to sign Kaka from AC Milan in January 2009.

In December 2009 they sacked manager Mark Hughes and replaced him with Roberto Mancini who guided City to fifth, their highest Premier League finish. However they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.

CLUB HERITAGE
In 1880, St Mark's Church established Manchester City FC which moved to Hyde Road seven years later and was renamed Ardwick AFC to reflect its new location. The club joined the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892, and after experiencing financial difficulties in the 1893/94 campaign, were reformed as Manchester City FC.
The first major honour arrived in April 1904 when a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers secured the FA Cup. A fire in 1920 destroyed the Main Stand at Hyde Road and in 1923, the club moved to Maine Road in Moss Side, where they played in front of crowds of more than 70,000.

After winning the FA Cup again in 1934, the club won the league title for the first time three years later. Manchester City were relegated from the First Division in 1938 despite scoring more goals than any other team.

City have won the FA Cup four times, with the 1956 triumph over Birmingham City notable for goalkeeper Bert Trautmann continuing to play on despite unknowingly breaking his neck. A second title was claimed under the joint management of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison in 1968, with a dramatic 4-3 win at Newcastle United. They won the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later, followed by the League Cup in 1976.

PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY
1993/94 - Brian Horton replaces Peter Reid as manager
1994/95 - Chairman Peter Swailes replaced by club legend Francis Lee
1995/96 - Alan Ball replaces Horton
1995/96 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1996/97 - Steve Coppell replaces Ball
1996/97 - Frank Clark replaces Coppell
1997/98 - Joe Royle replaces Clark
1997/98 - Relegated to Second Division
1998/99 - Promoted to First Division via play-offs
1999/00 - John Wardle and David Makin become the club's major shareholders
1999/00 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Kevin Keegan replaces Royle
2001/02 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership
2002/03 - Nicolas Anelka joins from PSG for £13million
2002/03 - David Bernstein resigns
2002/03 - John Wardle becames temporary chairman
2003/04 - Club moves to City of Manchester Stadium
2004/05 - Stuart Pearce replaces Keegan in March 2005
2006/07 - Thaksin Shinawatra acquires a 75 per cent share in the club
2007/08 - Sven-Goran Eriksson replaces Pearce
2007/08 - Eriksson leaves the club in June to be replaced by Mark Hughes
2008/09 - Takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group makes City one of the richest clubs in the world and they smash the British transfer record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m.
2009/10 - Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini replaces Mark Hughes as manager.


Manager Roberto Mancini
 

Roberto Mancini has enjoyed an illustrious career both as a player and manager.

Mancini, 45, won 36 caps for Italy and spent the majority of his playing career at Sampdoria before a brief stint with Leicester City in 2001 just before he retired.

He then managed Fiorentina before taking charge of Inter Milan, where he won three successive Italian League titles and two Italian Cups.

He was dismissed in May 2008 but has since been regularly linked with managerial vacancies in England.

Born on 27th November in Jesi, Italy, Mancini made his debut for Bologna as a 17-year-old and went on to score nine goals in 30 matches in the 1981/82 season.

In 1982 he signed for Sampdoria and over the next 15 years picked up four Coppa Italia winners medals. He also helped the club to their first ever Serie A title in 1991.

The following year they lost to Barcelona in the European Cup final at Wembley, a repeat of the outcome in the 1990 Cup Winners Cup final in Gothenburg.

In 1997 he signed for Lazio and helped them win the Coppa Italia the following year.

He retired from playing in 2000 and joined the Lazio coaching staff as Sven Goran Eriksson's right-hand man.

He made a brief comeback as a player with Leicester City before being appointed as coach of Fiorentina in March 2001.

He guided them to another Coppa Italia but resigned in January 2002 with the side second from bottom in Serie A.

Four months later he was appointed as coach of Lazio and led them to the Coppa Italia in 2004 before joining Inter Milan in July of that year.

He led them to successive Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup doubles and Inter were also awarded the 2005/06 Scudetto after Juventus and AC Milan were stripped of points due to a match-fixing scandal.

It was the first of three successive Serie A titles but he was sacked in May 2008 and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

He was repeatedly linked with a managerial move to England which finally materialised on 19th December 2009 when he succeeded Mark Hughes at Manchester City.

Although City narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, their fifth-placed finish was their highest Premier League placing.

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Balotelli sees knee specialist
Manchester City have sent Mario Balotelli to an American knee specialist in a bid to solve his injury problem.
 


The Italy international flew out on Friday to see Vermont-based Bill Knowles, who is renowned for helping the careers of many top athletes.

Balotelli has been out of action since City's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on 29th December, rendering the striker very short on matches after missing nine weeks due to an initial bout of knee surgery in September.

The club hope the 20-year-old will be able to avoid another operation and can refocus himself in the States before returning for the title run-in.
City manager Roberto Mancini is confident that the youngster is in the right hands and can still make an impact this term.

FOUR WEEKS
"Mario has gone to Vermont. He's gone out there to work and to improve his knee," Mancini said.

"The surgeon has said he doesn't need an operation. But if he does, it will be a problem for us.

"In these two weeks he must work hard in Vermont. We hope that, when he comes back, he will be ready to play.

"In Vermont, Mario can work quietly without a problem, without the pressure that he has here."

Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his volatile introduction to English football, Balotelli has been feeling the effects of an injury picked up in his very first match for City, the Europa League tie against Romanian side Timisoara.

"He arrived and he had a problem, so he has never been 100 per cent while he's been here," added Mancini.

"He has improved with games, but for Mario, it's important to start to play regularly, then he can show the supporters he's a good player.

"Can he play against United next month? Yes, maybe. But it's more important that when he comes back he can play in all the games for the rest of the season. I think he can play in the next four weeks."

 Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Adebayor secures Madrid switch
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor' is set to join Real Madrid on loan for the remainder of the season.
 


City announced on their official website: "We can confirm that the club has agreed to loan Emmanuel Adebayor to Real Madrid for the rest of the season.

"The player will travel to Spain on Wednesday to have a medical. Madrid have an option to purchase the 26-year-old at the end of his temporary spell in the Spanish capital."

Adebayor scored 19 goals in 36 league and cup starts for the Blues after being signed from Arsenal by previous manager Mark Hughes.
Last season he scored 14 goals in 26 Barclays Premier League appearances but this time round he has managed just one in eight league matches.

SOME RESERVATIONS
Initially a massive hit following his £25m move north from Arsenal 18 months ago, scoring in his first four matches for City, Adebayor's star faded after Roberto Mancini replaced Hughes as manager.

By the end of last season it had already become apparent that the striker could no longer command a regular place for the Blues.

Things got no better this term and, although he scored a Europa League hat-trick against Lech Poznan on October, the arrival of Mario Balotelli had shunted Adebayor further down the pecking order and he openly spoke of his desire to move elsewhere.

Monaco expressed a firm interest but were unable to come up with the necessary finance, leaving the way clear for Real, once Jose Mourinho overcame some reservations amongst the Bernabeu hierarchy over his desire to bring Adebayor - who would be available for the Champions League - in as cover for Gonzalo Higuain, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a back injury.

The move is the second high-profile striking departure in the past six months following Robinho's move to AC Milan.


Courtesy of:    premierleague.com

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Injury blow for Given
Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has confirmed that Shay Given could be facing three months on the sidelines.
 


The goalkeeper is seeing a specialist about a shoulder injury and Mancini expects the Republic of Ireland international will require surgery.

"Shay has this problem in his shoulder and I think he needs three months to recover," Mancini said.

"He has the same injury that he had last year and I think that he needs an operation."

NEVER MATERIALISED
With Joe Hart now the club's established number one, Given has been reduced to a cameo role this season, featuring three times in the Europa League and once in the Carling Cup.

The former Newcastle United player was linked with a loan move away in January but a deal never materialised.

Given also damaged his shoulder in April, which prompted City to sign Marton Fulop on an emergency loan deal from Sunderland for their final three matches of the 2009/10 campaign.

Mancini hopes he will not have to do something similar this time.

"I am disappointed for him because we have lost a good goalkeeper," Mancini said.

"Last year we had the problem in the last three games because we lost him to injury and I hope this year it is not the same."

Asked if he would recall David Gonzales from his loan spell at Leeds United, Mancini said: "Probably. We can take David from Leeds - we don't have many more options."

 
_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}

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Kolo Toure: What happens next?

The Manchester City defender Kolo Toure faces a ban of up to two years following his suspension from playing yesterday after testing positive for a banned substance. Here are the key questions facing the 29-year-old defender.

Q: Is there ever an excuse for failing a drugs test?

The principle of strict liability underpins the whole of doping policy. What it means in practical terms is that you, the athlete, are responsible for what's in your body regardless of how it got there.

There are mitigating circumstances, but the burden of proof rests on the athlete. In other words, Toure will have to satisfactorily explain how a prohibited substance was found in his sample. Some examples could be proof that drink or food was maliciously spiked by a fellow competitor, or proof the substance was forcibly injected by a third party.

The reason that strict liability is used is to prevent reliance on the obvious excuse of "I didn't know it was in the tablet I took," or "I didn't know what I was taking".

It's a similar to the caveat "ignorance of the law is no defence." It's a tough stance, but it has to be to protect the clean athletes.


Q: Manchester City say the substance found in Kolo Toure's sample was on the "specified list". What does that mean?

The World Anti Doping Agency, WADA produces an annual list of all prohibited substances.

It's regularly updated, and always under review. New drugs are being found all the time, and understanding of what effect they can have changes. Some categories of drug are a total no-no like steroids, and their use is banned at all times. Others are only banned during competition, and that includes the category of stimulants.

The stimulant section is divided into two, "non-specified" and "specified". The non- specified include things like amphetamines, which could clearly be performance enhancing.

Specified stimulants, for example ephedrine, fall into a rather more grey area. Ephedrine is found in a lot of cough and cold remedies, and an athlete might be able to argue that its use was not intended to be performance enhancing.

To reflect the fact that there may be an explanation for the presence of these substances which could have a more innocent foundation, the punishments vary from a warning to a two year suspension from any given sport.

In a recent case involving the Hamilton Academical player, Simon Mensing - who tested positive for a substance on the specified list - UK Anti-Doping accepted that the substance had been taken inadvertently in a dietary supplement and that Mensing had taken steps to check whether the supplement contained any prohibited substance.

Despite those checks and balances, he still committed an anti-doping violation, but his punishment was only a four week ban.

Q: What happens now to Kolo Toure?

When a urine test is taken, it's split into two: an 'A' sample and a 'B' sample.

The 'A' sample is tested and the 'B' sample is stored for cross referencing. Toure can now ask for the 'B' sample to be tested to see if it comes up with the same adverse finding as the 'A' sample, or if it contradicts it. It's very rare for the 'B' sample not to match the 'A'.

Assuming they do match, there's then a process to be followed which will establish if there's a case to answer, then to set a time for a full hearing to take place where the facts and any mitigation can be discussed.

After the hearing, any sanction will be announced. Toure has the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. WADA can also appeal if they feel the case has not been handled properly, or if the punishment isn't appropriate.


Courtesy of:   bbc.co.uk

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Balotelli to be dropped from Man City squad for Chelsea


Balotelli's dismissal annoyed City manager Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says Mario Balotelli is unlikely to face Chelsea on Sunday after he was shown a red card against Dynamo Kiev.

The striker was sent off during the Europa League last-16 second-leg tie for a late challenge on Goran Popov as City won 1-0 but lost 2-1 on aggregate.
"I don't think he'll be in the squad," Mancini said of the 20-year-old.
"I don't know if it was a red card or a yellow card, but when you play a game like this you should pay attention."
Mancini added: "Mario thinks he could be a fantastic player. When he does something stupid like that, it's difficult for me."
Italy international Balotelli, who was also sent off against West Bromwich Albion in November, was shown a straight red by referee Cuneyt Cakir after he appeared to thrust his boot into the body of defender Popov.

"I didn't see the foul properly but I am very disappointed because in a game like this it is very difficult if you pick up a red card, and you can pick up a red card for doing something stupid," said Mancini.
City midfielder Nigel de Jong said his controversial young team-mate needs to change his mentality.
"He is a young boy of 20 and he has to learn from his mistakes," said the Dutch international. "I told him. Everyone told him. He is still part of the squad and has a lot of potential. He is a very good player but has to realise, on a professional level, you sometimes have to change your mentality.
"We are there to help him, not to criticise him or blast him away. He has experienced guys around him and has to listen to them. After the game he was angry and he was disappointed
"Sometimes you make mistakes and Mario made his mistake. But he will get everything straight again."
Aleksandar Kolarov did give City the lead in the 39th minute, three minutes after Balotelli left the pitch, but they could not find a second as the stubborn Kiev defence clung on.
"If it stays 11 versus 11, we would have probably scored two or three goals," added the Italian boss. "We deserved another goal. We played a fantastic game with 10 players."
Another frustration for Mancini was what he deemed as time-wasting tactics by Kiev.
"It happened every time they dived and every time the referee saw it," he stated.
Defender Vincent Kompany said it became difficult for City when they were reduced to 10 men.
"We're disappointed," commented the Belgian. "From the first minute we had the feeling it could happen tonight but as soon as we were down to 10 men it became a very, very difficult game.
"It's difficult for me to comment on the action (red card) because I've not seen it. But regardless of who it was, we're down to 10 men and it's a difficult game."


_{Courtesy of:   bbc.co.uk}

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Richards expected to miss derby semi
Manchester City defender Micah Richards is set to miss next month's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

 


The 22-year-old had hoped to be fit for the 16th April date after sustaining the injury on England Under-21 duty last week but he is expected to be out of action for between four and six weeks. A scan on his injured hamstring revealed a grade two tear.

Richards told the club's official website: "It is not what I wanted to hear at all. I felt sick when I was told. I knew from experience when I did it that it felt like a bad one but I was hoping for the best.

"All I can do now is concentrate on getting back as quickly as possible. I must admit I did think 'why me?' for a while when I heard the news.

"Of all the games to miss, a Wembley date with United is the last one any player would choose."

speed up

Despite the prognosis, Richards has not given up hope yet and is proceeding with plans to install an oxygen tent in his house to speed up his recovery.

City, meanwhile, are hoping fellow full-back Jerome Boateng will not need knee surgery after he also picked up a serious injury on international duty.

Initial reports from the German camp suggested the 22-year-old would have to go under the knife but City are seeking a second opinion from the club's medical staff.

The double blow has left Roberto Mancini short of defenders for Sunday's match against Sunderland at Eastlands, with Pablo Zabaleta still on compassionate leave in Argentina and Kolo Toure suspended, meaning youngsters Dedryck Boyata and Reece Wabara could come into contention.

most ambitious

A first Barclays Premier League appearance for centre-back Wabara would be the perfect way for the 19-year-old to celebrate his new contract.

The Academy graduate penned a new three-year deal on Tuesday having featured in the first-team squad on a number of occasions in recent weeks.

Wabara said: "I've been working really hard to improve all areas of my game so I'm delighted to have signed this new deal.

"It was a big relief to know one of the most ambitious - and soon to be biggest - clubs in the world wants me to be part of their future.

"I don't know whether I'll be involved against Sunderland or not yet so I just need to work hard and be prepared if and when I'm needed."

_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}
 

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Boateng set for surgery
Manchester City's Jerome Boateng will have knee surgery and may only be fit for the final two matches of the season.

 

City manager Roberto Mancini revealed the full extent of Boateng's injury, which was sustained while on international duty with Germany last week.

Mancini said: "He will have surgery in the next two or three days. Maybe he will be fit for the last two games."

twin problem

There was more positive news regarding Micah Richards. Mancini said he was hoping that the defender, who suffered a hamstring injury last week while with the England Under-21 team, will be fit in time for the FA Cup semi-final match with rivals Manchester United at Wembley on 16th April.

"We are trying to get him fit for the semi-final. I don't know if it is possible but we hope," said Mancini.

The twin problem, coupled with Kolo Toure's continued absence following his failed drugs test, leaves City struggling for defenders ahead of their Barclays Premier League encounter with Sunderland on Sunday.

At least Pablo Zabaleta has returned after flying back to South America to visit his ill father.

 
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Tevez out for up to a month
Roberto Mancini has confirmed Carlos Tevez could be out for up to four weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury.

 


It means City's captain will miss Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley.

The Argentina international injured a hamstring after just 16 minutes in Monday night's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and is expected to be out until next month.

any risks

City manager Mancini initially thought Tevez would be sidelined for two weeks but the striker is now aiming to return for City's penultimate Barclays Premier League match against Stoke City on 14th May.

"Tevez is not available for Saturday," Mancini said. "I think he will recover in three or four weeks. It is a big problem but we can't take any risks."

Tevez lies second in the season's Barclays Premier League scorers list with 19 goals behind Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov who has 21.

 
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Manchester City fixtures 2011/12
All of Manchester City's provisional fixtures for the new Barclays Premier League season.

 

Manchester City kick off the new season with a home match against newly-promoted Swansea City.

City then face trips to Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

After qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, Man City are aiming to mount a title challenge.

The Manchester derbies are on 23rd October and 28th April.

Roberto Mancini's men end the season at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Matches on 5th May will not clash with the FA Cup Final and may accordingly move to a different kick off time on the Saturday or to the Sunday. A further announcement will be made closer to the date.

All fixtures are provisional at this stage and subject to change.

Man City



August
15 Swansea (H)
21 Bolton (A)
28 Tottenham (A)

September
10 Wigan (H)
17 Fulham (A)
24 Everton (H)

October
1 Blackburn (A)
16 Aston Villa (H)
23 Man Utd (A)
29 Wolverhampton (H)

November
5 QPR (A)
19 Newcastle (H)
27 Liverpool (A)

December
3 Norwich (H)
10 Chelsea (A)
17 Arsenal (H)
21 Stoke (H)
26 West Brom (A)
31 Sunderland (A)

January
2 Liverpool (H)
14 Wigan (A)
21 Tottenham (H)

February
1 Everton (A)
4 Fulham (H)
11 Aston Villa (A)
25 Blackburn (H)

March
3 Bolton (H)
10 Swansea (A)
17 Chelsea (H)
24 Stoke (A)
31 Sunderland (H)

April
7 Arsenal (A)
9 West Brom (H)
14 Norwich (A)
21 Wolverhampton (A)
28 Man Utd (H)

May
5 Newcastle (A)
13 QPR (H)

Reproduced under license from Football DataCo Limited. All rights reserved. Licence number NEWMEDIA/PREMLGE/110083a.
 

  _{Courtesy of:   premierleague.com}

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Man City move felt right for Aguero
New record signing Sergio Aguero chose to move to Manchester City because "it felt right".

 

When the 23-year-old announced in May he wanted to leave Atletico Madrid it seemed his preference was to remain in Spain.

That seemed to open the door for city rivals Real but such a prospect was unthinkable for officials at the Vicente Calderon.

While at the Copa America, Ageruo spoke to Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta who convinced him he could have a successful future at Manchester City.

"I spoke to Zabaleta and he spoke really positively about the club," said the £35m signing.

"He has told me all about them. He told me it is a happy squad so I'm looking forward to meeting them.

"I asked my agents to do everything they could because this was a good club and I'd always wanted to play in the Premier League.

"It's a good club and it felt right."

enjoy myself

Carlos Tevez, the man Aguero was bought to replace, wants to leave City to be closer to his wife and two daughters back in Argentina but the club's new signing does not think he or his family will have any problems adapting to English life.

"They are living with me now," he said, referring to his wife Giannina, daughter of iconic Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona, and their son Benjamin.

"There will be friends and family coming to see me and I was in the same team as Maxi (Rodriguez, the Liverpool midfielder) and I get on well with him, we are good friends.

"I am sure I am going to enjoy myself here and life will be fine."

Aguero is also looking forward to the first clash with city rivals Manchester United, having had plenty of experience of the Madrid derby.

The two teams meet in the season-opening Community Shield at Wembley on 7th August but their first Barclays Premier League encounter is at Old Trafford on 23rd October.

"The derby is a game every fan wants to see," said Aguero, who could make his first appearance for City at this weekend's Dublin Super Cup.

"I love the experience of playing in this type of game but at the same time you need to be entirely focused because you know it is such an important game."


_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}

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City sign Pantilimon
Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara.

 


The 24-year-old Romanian joins the club as cover for number one Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given to Aston Villa.

Pantilimon made his senior international debut in 2008 and played against City twice in the Europa League last season, conceding three times.

After representing his national side at every youth level, Pantilimon graduated to Romania's first team in 2008 and reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal and Inter Milan, before signing for City.

A statement on the official club website said: "We wish Costel a very warm welcome to the club."

blistered feet

Meanwhile, manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed City's £38m record summer signing Sergio Aguero will be on the bench for Sunday's Community Shield meeting with Manchester United at Wembley.

The former Atletico Madrid forward has had blistered feet but is now training as normal after a 20-minute session on Thursday.

Mancini said: "Sergio is okay. He is not 100 per cent ready but he is fit to come on the bench."

_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}

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Hart signs new Man City deal
England goalkeeper Joe Hart has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.

 


The 24-year-old, who fought off the challenge of Shay Given to establish himself as first choice, has committed himself to the club until 2016.

He told the club's official website: "I'm absolutely delighted to have signed a new deal and it is a very exciting time to be a City player.

"I can't think of myself being anywhere other than City and it really feels like home. I feel very privileged to be staying here for another five years.

"I've got a lot of love for this club, the way we're moving forward and for the fans who have been fantastic towards me from day one."

regular basis

Hart joined City from Shrewsbury for £600,000 in 2006 and has also taken over the position as England first-choice goalkeeper.

He set a new club record for clean sheets last season, and has paid tribute to Given's influence - the Republic of Ireland stopper has now moved to Aston Villa.

Hart added: "When I signed from Shrewsbury it was always my aim to become the number one here and I was prepared to do anything to achieve that, including going out on loan a few times to prove my worth.

"Shay's influence on me has been massive and being able to work alongside him has brought my game on tremendously.

"I've lost a close friend and a fantastic team-mate but I'll keep in touch and talk with him on a regular basis."

_{Courtesy of:   premierleague.com}

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Richards signs new deal
Manchester City right-back Micah Richards has signed a new four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

 


The 23-year-old has been rewarded for a consistent level of performance over the past year under manager Roberto Mancini.

England frame

Richards, who helped City end a 35-year trophy drought with FA Cup success last season, has become a regular in Mancini's side and is firmly back in the England frame.

The Academy graduate had been in discussions about his future and has now committed to a new long-term deal.

Richards has made 142 Premier League appearances for City in all competitions since making his debut as a 17-year-old in October 2005.

_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}

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Betis move for Santa Cruz
Real Betis have confirmed the signing of Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on a one-year loan.

 


Thirty-year-old Santa Cruz joined City from Blackburn Rovers in 2009 but has struggled to tie down a first-team berth with the big-spending Barclays Premier League club and returned to Rovers on loan for the second half of last season.

Prior to joining Blackburn in 2007, Santa Cruz spent seven years at German giants Bayern Munich having begun his career with Olimpia in his homeland.

number 16

A statement on the Betis website read: "Real Betis continue to strengthen their first-team squad for the coming season with only a few days to go before the end of the transfer market.

"After intensive negotiations, the club have been able to close the signing of Roque Santa Cruz, who will play the coming season on loan at Betis.

"A Paraguayan international, Santa Cruz arrives from Manchester City, one of the best teams in England in recent years."

Santa Cruz, who made his full international debut for Paraguay at the age of 17, is set to be presented by Betis on Tuesday evening and will wear the number 16 shirt after becoming the newly-promoted club's eighth signing of the summer.

Betis, last season's Segunda Division champions, began their league campaign with a 1-0 away win over fellow top-flight newcomers Granada on Saturday.

 
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Mancini unhappy with squad depth
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has suggested he needs even more players.

The Italian watched his side surrender their 100 per cent start to the Barclays Premier League season when Fulham came from 2-0 down to draw Sunday's match at Craven Cottage.

The result was the first blow to the visitors' title hopes and, coming four days after they made their Champions League bow, it cast doubt on their ability to cope with the twin demands of domestic and European football.

have enough

And manager Mancini bemoaned his inability to rest the likes of Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry with James Milner and Nigel De Jong currently sidelined through injury.

Asked if that meant he did not have enough players, he added: "We are lacking at this moment because we lost two midfielders.

"I don't have players at the moment. I can only change the full-backs. I have only two midfielders, because James and De Jong have injuries."

Mancini appeared frustrated after watching his side waste numerous chances to kill off opponents for the third time in eight days.

"What team comes here against Fulham in London and has over 70 per cent of ball possession?" he added.

"We had the same problem against Wigan at home. We had 15 chances in the first half and we scored only one goal. It doesn't always go well if you don't score, if you don't close the game."

 
_{Courtesy of:   premierleague.com}