Ronaldinho, the Brazil playmaker, has revealed just how close he came to
joining Manchester City during the summer. Garry Cook, the City executive
chairman, spent months trying to broker a deal with Roberto de Assis
Moreira, Ronaldinho's brother and agent, before the former World Player of
the Year decided to move to AC Milan from Barcelona.
“My brother spoke to Man City many times,” Ronaldinho, 28, told
magazine. “Their project is the kind that would interest any player - they
could soon be among the best sides in England. Lots of brilliant players are
heading in their direction and yes, my brother looked properly at their
offer. But Silvio Berlusconi [the Milan owner] had been saying for years
that he would like to sign me and I felt in the end that it was the right
time to say yes.”
Robinho, his compatriot, stunned the football world by leaving Real Madrid to
join City in a British-record £34.2million deal on September 1 and accused
City this week of having “the mentality of a small side”, but Mark Hughes,
the manager, will not discipline the forward over his remarks.
Speaking before the team's Uefa Cup group A match at home to Paris
Saint-Germain this evening, Hughes agreed with the Brazilian's constructive
assessment and said: “That's what we all have to do [raise standards and
aspire higher],” Hughes said. “We are trying to build for the future. Every
day we are getting the message over that it's a different club in the
future.”
City have already qualified for the round of 32 after winning their opening
group matches against Twente and Schalke 04, so Hughes is likely to use this
evening's game to look at some of his fringe players, especially because
Robinho, Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips are expected to be missing
through injury.
Hughes could hand a rare start to Jô, the Brazil striker who has struggled
since joining City in a projected £19million deal from CSKA Moscow during
the summer. The City manager ruled out the possibility yesterday of sending
Jô out on loan and backed him to come good after a run of only three goals
in 13 matches. “Jô will get games, that's what he needs,” Hughes said. “It's
a big learning curve. He's got this languid style but many players over the
years have had a style not as dynamic as others. He'll be fine.”
Manchester City (possible; 4-4-2): K Schmeichel - N Onuoha, T Ben-Haim,
R Dunne, M Ball - Elano, V Kompany, D Hamann, S Ireland - Jô, D Sturridge.
Paris Saint-Germain(possible; 4-3-3): M Landreau - Ceará, S Traoré, M
Sakho, S Armand - Y Sankhare, G Bourillon, J Rothen - F Pancrate, M Kezman,
P Luyindula.
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