The Times this morning speculates that the signing of Tal Ben Haim could have some nasty consequences, suggesting that "Nedum Onuoha or Vedran Corluka could be surplus to requirements". This is probably not particularly well sourced, but it demonstrates a very real problem for these two.
The reason for this signing seems to be experienced defensive cover for Dunne and Richards - and this is indeed necessary - but City are not a big enough club to sign players of Ben Haim's calibre as merely squad backup, especially if the £50,000 a week figures that have been quoted are accurate. Assuming Ben Haim is not a left back and has first-team assurances,this would lead to a back four of-
Ball---Dunne---Ben Haim---Richards
Richards the future England captain would win the right-back berth over Corluka the laid-back Eriksson signing, which means the future may look bleak for the Croatian. It is of course true that City might play a whole lot more games this year, but the principles of rotation are less prevalent when it comes to a back four.
When Hughes finds his best defence he will stick to it, because all great teams are based on a good defence (last year, no other defenders ever got near Uniteds' Evra/Ferdinand/Vidic/Brown, or Arsenal's Clichy/Toure/Gallas/Sagna, regardless of how many games the team played - only injuries could break this apart). Injuries may hand Corluka a few games, but this may not be enough to stop him from thinking he could do better elsewhere. Unlike Onuoha, who still may see City as the right place for further development of his footballing education, Corluka will probably not settle for anything less than at least 30 league games a year.
Those who witnessed Corluka's horrific mistake at Craven Cottage in September, and then his season-changing slip-up in the reverse fixture in April may be wondering what the fuss is all about. The best right-back in the world, according to Slaven Bilic, or not, he is one of City's most technically gifted players, a rare shaft of quality and composure (albeit with Eriksson-style laziness) in an era that threatens be defined by blood and thunder.
Central midfield could prove his salvation, and with experience in this position last Christmas, combined with impeccable short passing, he seems to fit here quite nicely and may even evolve into a replacement for Hamann. Another solution would be Hughes not buying an energetic midfielder in the Michael Essein role, using Richards in this position and putting Corluka at right back.
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corluka is going nowhere, if anything this move provides cover and competition between two very decent and versatile players. i personally am sick of all the transfer speculation surrounding the club, no, we don't need another striker (even if vassell is sold, and i hope he is), we need a couple of midfielders and a better left back. being constantly linked to players that would not improve the squad (neill, milito, cisse) is just plain irritating. Sven made some great signings last season, and a few have still got something to prove, hughes is no idiot and i think he'll get a little extra out of them. as for our players being linked with a move away, hasn't every single talented player been touted as leaving? bring on next season, with or without any more signings, i'd rather wait to see what happening around xmas before we overload the squad with a bunch of overpriced turkeys
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