Friday gossip

Fri 09 Sep 2011, 8:19AM
Posted by Peter Ferguson

After the glamour of the international break, we're back to Premier League action - and while it might be considered bread and butter stuff, at City there's always a nice dollop of jam too.




Even as Wigan prepare to tackle Roberto Mancini's hot starters - played three, won three, scored shedloads - there's a bit of news that will not make their journey any more comfortable.

As the Mail's Ian Ladyman reports: "Carlos Tevez is in line for his first start of the Barclays Premier League season as Manchester City face Wigan at the Etihad Stadium.

"Tevez - City’s captain and top scorer last season - has fallen down the pecking order at the club due to the £38m arrival of fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero in the summer and the form of Edin Dzeko.

"But manager Roberto Mancini is considering shuffling his pack. Aguero has been to India and Bangladesh with Argentina over the last week while Tevez stayed in England. City also have to consider a Champions League game at home to Napoli on Wednesday.

"New signing Samir Nasri trained fully, despite a broken bone in his hand. Owen Hargreaves also joined in the session.

"Mancini has a vast array of talent at his disposal and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez yesterday described City as ‘near enough unplayable’."

He quotes Martinez: "Watching them against Spurs, Swansea and the first half against Manchester United in the Community Shield, it is clear they are a side who have the arrogance to win titles.



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While the summer transfer window has closed, don't think for a minute that Roberto bins his notes once August ends. He has at least one long-term target, according to skysports.com.
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They report that he "remains keen on taking Alessio Cerci to City, but admits he faces a battle to lure him away from Fiorentina.

"The 24-year-old winger is regarded as one of Serie A's hottest properties. City were keen to add him to their ranks last season, but saw Fiorentina pip them to his signature.

"The Blues boss has refused to rule out a fresh raid in the future. 'I have followed him since the 2007/08 season when he was on loan at Pisa from Roma,' Mancini told Corriere dello Sport.

"'Cerci had just turned 20 but he immediately struck me as an extraordinary talent. He is one of only a few players in the world who can win a game by himself, one that can solve everything.'"

Well, they don't come along very often. One to watch, as they say on, er, club websites ...

Cerci sounds like a promising addition but what side does he play on? The right would be good as we need cover there i reckon.