If reports from Mirror are to believed, Manchester City are ready for a major transfer swoop for Real Madrid’s centre back Sergio Ramos. The Spanish superstar has a mega £41million as his transfer release cause but the Citizens are planning to take advantage of the friction between the player and the club. According to the same report from Mirror: Real Madrid, aware of the City interest in the 27- year old are for now refusing to bow to his pay demands.
His current deal is worth around £4.6million a year but Ramos wants parity with the £6.2m Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are paid and that has opened the door to a possible move to the Premier League, an enticing opening to any player much more that of Ramos’ stature. Upon the arrival of new boss Carlo Ancelotti, Ramos has been deployed out of position – either used at right-back or as midfield anchorman but obviously having played in the centre back position in recent times, the 27-year-old prefers to play there. A result of the growing disparity between the player and the manager might perhaps be the effective reason on why the Spanish defender might consider to switch to the Premier League.
City have been more than pathetic in defence so far much due to the absence of their inspirational captain, Belgian Vincent Kompany who has spent most of the current campaign on the sidelines. That left with the talented but error prone youngster in Matija Nastasic to take the responsibility to lead the defence occasionally alongside Demechieles or Joleon Lescott. As far as defending from set pieces are concerned, it was surprising and still is that with a manager of Pellegrini’s stature the situation hasn’t been addressed. The Citizens’ marking from set pieces has already come under the scanner but is yet to be dissected. Whereas the Blues have gone into a mixed zonal marking from set pieces, it is quite evident that none of the defenders know what their task is.
Nastasic’s error prone header back to the onrushing Joe Hart meant the ball was free for Feranando Torres to slot home three points for Chelsea two weeks ago, while Argentine Martin Demiechelis looks out of sorts and running out of position and is yet to suit into the Premier League style of play. Kolarov and Gail Clichy have been rotated in the right left back slots, none of them are good defensively as they are going forward. Pablo Zabaleta however has done reasonably well at right back.
This leaves them with just Micah Richards remaining in their armor who has rarely played over the last two seasons. Even though the Englishman is a brilliant defender at holding off players using his brute body strength, Ricahrds doesn’t possess the calm influence one would expect on the back. The 25-year old is a very powerful right back and might be given the chance to prove himself as Pellegrini commented that Richards would get a chance over the course of the campaign to prove his World Cup credentials next year in Sambaland, Brazil.
At this juncture, bringing in the versatile Sergio Ramos can be the best solution for Pellegrini. The Spaniard can stand tall at the back and with his experience, he can guide the likes of Nastasic and partner alongside Vincent Komapny who is expected to be out for another three weeks.
Ramos is one of the best defenders in the world when it comes to tackling, interceptions, winning the ball in the air and on the ground plus his pace would be ideal to face the Premier League attackers.