Mancini - 'I need players'

That is the message from Roberto Mancini this morning from the comments in Gazzetto dello Sport that have been widely picked up here in the UK:

"I need players," Mancini was quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport. "Perhaps Real Madrid will give me Gago, maybe Milan [will give me] Flamini..."

The link with Flamini surfaced earlier this week of course, but the Gago link is a new one. The benefits of adding Flamini to the squad are obvious, with his versatility being a key asset and the fact that the midfield is the one area that has been really stretched and overworked so far this season. The Gago one perhaps less so though. I don't particularly know much about the player so will defer to JPB on this.

The links with both Flamini and Gago have also been reported by the MEN (Flamini and Gago), with the Flamini link looking quite solid (it even suggests he could arrive in time for next weeks second leg against United).

The most obvious question is quite where either (or both) players will fit in. Whilst de Jong and Barry have been virtual ever presents, the central midfield area will have a very congested look with more additions given Stephen Ireland and Patrick Vieira's imminent return.

I took a look at this after the arrival of Patrick Vieira, so throw one or two more into the mix and Mancini will have some very frustrated players on his hands and does either potential arrival really improve the options available to Mancini?

Mixed reports over Flamini

A story that came out of nowhere this morning with Sky Sports going with a report that Mathieu Flamini was poised to sign a loan deal until the end of the season:

Sky Sports News understands AC Milan's Mathieu Flamini is set to move to Manchester City in a loan deal until the end of the season.

Roberto Mancini is to raid Italy for a second time since taking over at Eastlands, with an approach for Flamini at the top of his agenda.

Not a great deal of substance there I'm sure you'd agree, and the MEN subsequently reports is current club, Milan, as dismissing the notion of a move:

AC Milan have not heard from Manchester City regarding French midfielder Mathieu Flamini. Flamini has been strongly linked with a loan move to the Premier League club in the January transfer window.

We have heard rumours regarding possible interest from Manchester City for Flamini," AC Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida said. "But for the time being, there has been no official offer, interest or talks between AC Milan and Manchester City.

Flamini is an AC Milan player."

I'm sure Flamini would be a useful acquisition in terms of providing depth and cover in a number of positions, but I'm not convinced he would be a good longer term signing.

I'm not convinced either that Flamini would be overly keen on a move that in effect would be a like for like situation.