Man City have been involved in two deals over the past 24 hours. Bellamy to Cardiff, and Milner to Man City.
Bellamy has gone to Cardiff on loan for 6-months, with Man City paying a very large part of his wage.
I have no idea why any of the other 19 premiership clubs weren't busting a gut to buy this player. OK, maybe Chelsea and Man Utd wouldn't need him, but the other 17 clubs certainly could use him. Possible reasons are money, Man City wouldn't have offered anywhere near the same deal to a Premiership club. But the right offer comes in and he could have moved anywhere. Bellamy and Torres? Bellamy and Defoe? Bellamy and C Cole? Bellamy and Agbonlahor? Bellamy and Saha? Bellamy and anyone? I think Wenger would have thought seriously about it if it wasn't for Bellamy's age and history of bad behaviour.
His bad behaviour is not that malicious, he's just a speaks his mind character. Cardiff are no doubt the big winners in this deal, and Man City are the losers. Bellamy is probably neither, he's out of the big time but seems genuinely happy with being back in Wales. Cardiff can push for promotion with the other players they have brought in. Man City have lost their second best player from last season (Tevez was number 1) and are still paying most of his wages.
On to the Milner deal. Milner is a loser in this deal, he is a great professional so if that counts for anything in Mancini's mind then he'll get plenty of games, but he could have reached a road block in his development. If he is truly world class then this move could just about work for him.
When Barry went to Man City, Dunne went the other way and there was only one winner in that competition last year. Dunne was magnificent. Now Ireland, Man City's player of the year 2009, has gone the other way and it is a very similar feel. Milner is about 6 months older than Ireland so no real difference there. The money isn't a confusing factor for me. Yes Man City have paid about 10 million too much for Milner but they don't care. As long as they aren't paying 200-300% the price they aren't bothered, the money they have is ridiculous.
Ireland will play a major role for Villa, who's first team looks as strong as any of other big teams. I understand the money Man City have paid, they can afford almost anything, but I don't understand the players they have brought in. I don't know which players they have genuinely approached and what the response was, but either they have very poor scouting or they just can't attract the major talent. For me, and this is personal, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Kolarov are average 6-7 out of 10 players. Balotelli has potential and that is fine, and Milner has Premiership experience so that is fine in isolation. I am undecided on Boateng, he seems to be as good as De Jong and Kompany in his talent and versatility.
Just to make it clear, Man City have lost Bellamy and Ireland, two of their best players in the last 2 years, they've paid out money for it too. Aston Villa have lost their most influential player and also lost their coach, but have brought in another influential player. Cardiff are in dream land. Milner is happy for now, Bellamy is too. I've not heard from Ireland, but he's got the payout he wanted and he'll be playing football on a weekly basis, so I assume he's not unhappy.
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