Robinho's farewell

Via the official site:

Robinho keen on Santos stay

"My goal is to stay for a long-time. If the president wants to extend my contract to four years that would be great."

>>Robinho on his unveiling at Santos.

My view when the loan deal was made was that was the last we will see of Robinho in a City shirt, being that far from a loan deal invigorating him and providing the necessary motivation for him to succeed with ourselves, it would merely strengthen any resolve to move from the club.

Therefore the comments are not a surprise, but, on the other hand may have been Robinho paying lip service to a sizeable crowd that had turned out.

I doubt it though.

The end for Robinho?

Official confirmation of the move:

The Club can confirm that it has reached agreement with Santos for Robinho to join them on a six-month loan. The agreement takes immediate effect and ends on August 4.

Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses. Robinho will travel to Brazil on Sunday to begin his loan period.

Manager Roberto Mancini said: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."

Perhaps the only surprise coming out of this is the sentance; "Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses" as it initially appeared that we would still be on the hook for the majority of Robinho's wages. Reports of having first option on promising youngsters has been suggested and it would be interesting to look at exactly how Santos are funding his contract given the fact Brazilian clubs - despite the presence of Ronaldo, Adriano and Roberto Carlos - have nowhere the resources to match their European counterparts.

Judging by the thread on the MEN story of the move it has really polarised fans and likewise with the poll here on Bitter and Blue. The most talented since Kinkladze or a complete dud?

His early days at the club were headline-grabbing from the moment he arrived on deadline day in August 2008. A goal on debut against Chelsea and individual moments of quality were the theme and a hero was born. As the winter closed in though, so did his early form. A loss of form coincided with poor results and the pressure grew on Mark Hughes. Away games brought new lows and the criticism grew as his effectiveness dwindled and reports of a rift between him and Hughes surfaced.

The 2009/10 season began and it was clear that Robinho was no longer first choice for Hughes. Struggling to regain the highs of the previous year, he spent time on the bench and on the rare opportunities he had was ineffective and perhaps most criminal for City fans, appeared not to have the required desire. After coming back from injury, he had a couple of opportunities under Roberto Mancini, who talked of him being an important player.

The nadir was perhaps reached though during the 2-0 defeat at Everton, when having been introduced as an early substitute for the injured Roque Santa Cruz, he suffered the indignity of being himself substituted later in the game. How the media pounced. With rumours of a move to Brazil surfacing, he was left out of the squad for the trip to United this week before the loan deal was announced this afternoon.

World Cup year or not, what Robinho needs is a consistent run of games to get himself back in the shape and form that he was in over the first half of last season, when he was a genuine game changing player and proved the undoubted quality that he has. The difficulty this season as opposed to last is given the strengthening of the squad in the attacking positions there is very little scope for him to get the opportunity for a consistent run. Last season of course, there was no Martin Petrov to challenge on the left and Craig Bellamy only arrived at the end of January. Realistically, there is no way he beats either player out on current form, and it is inconceivable that would change between now and the end of the season.

I do view the situation as somewhat of a romantic in that to all but throw in the towel on a player who is a real game changer and as captivating to watch as Robinho is a real shame and cling to the hope that he can become an integral part of our push for success both over the remainder of 2009/10 and beyond.

Although it is a loan deal that has been agreed, it is difficult to see a future for him at the club. Had a side been willing to pay a suitable fee to facilitate a permanent move, it is certain that a transfer would have been agreed. As it stands, on August 4th he is slated to return to Manchester yet will surely never pull on the blue shirt again.

As much as the hope is he could somehow come back revitalised and ready for 2010/11, unfortunately the history of football is littered with big name high profile examples of players at clubs who, for one reason or another, just failed to make it work.

It now appears that the name of Robinho will be the next to join that list.

Robinho transfer twist

Sky Sports are reporting that we have confirmed that Robinho is set to leave the club on a short term basis, but perhaps not to Santos as has been widely reported:

Santos had also stated they were confident of tying up a loan deal for the unsettled forward to return to his homeland.

However, Sao Paolo have now joined the chase for the Brazilian and the two clubs will battle it out to sign the former Real Madrid man on loan.

If, as it now appears inevitable, we do allow him to leave it looks as though we will still be on the hook for virtually half of Robinho's current salary according to this report in this mornings Times:

The forward is ready to take a pay cut of about £45,000 a week from the £150,000 that he secured when he became the most expensive player in this country after moving from Real Madrid 18 months ago. Santos are in talks with sponsors to help to fund about £35,000 of the remaining wage — three times more than their present top earner — with City expected to pick up the balance, about £70,000.

A big price to pay to rid ourselves of a player who could make an impact for us between now and the end of the season.

Robinho move edging closer?

Things appear to gathering pace with some subtance to the story other than comments attributed to Robinho, with ESPN quoting Santos press Arnaldo Hase:

"Tomorrow there will be a meeting that may be decisive for good or for bad," Hase told Reuters. "City would accept a six-month loan, Santos want to negotiate for six months or longer, but we will be happy if the deal is closed for six months.

"Under our proposal, Santos would pay Robinho's wages. The player already said to us he is open to earn less here than in Manchester. If everything works out well, Robinho could be a really cheap signing for Santos because we have a lot of partners interested in financially supporting Robinho's return to Santos."

Interestingly, Sky Sports are reporting that Santos are keener on an eighteen month loan as opposed to a six month loan which we are believed to be in favour of.

Additionally, the BBC carried a story this afternoon that also suggested we were in agreement of a move (although it didn't state a permanent or loan move) on the condition that we have first option on youngsters Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar.

We've yet to hear anything solid from the club (Mancini's evasive Scunthorpe post-match interview aside), but it seems a move is appearing increasingly likely.

Robinho to depart?

That is the suggestion being made in the wake of these comments made to a Brazilian radio station over the weekend:

"The whole board of directors [at City] has decided that the best thing is to loan me out," Robinho said. "It would be extraordinary to come back to Santos. Playing for Santos would help pave my way to the World Cup. It's my home, where I know everyone."

"The first thing to say is that it is a bad moment I am going through," Robinho told Rádio Bandeirantes in Brazil. "The managers are different here. They decide a system and want you to fit in and it doesn't matter if you're tall or short. The manager was honest with me. He told me I was just going to play every other game. I told him that wouldn't interest me because this is a World Cup year and I need to play."

The Guardian very much continues this theme in their match report, suggesting the game as a farewell for Robinho.

Post match, Roberto Mancini was very non-commital over Robinho's future, even when directly questioned, and perhaps played on the language barrier a little in evading a response as to whether the Brazilian was leaving.

With a week to go until the transfer window closes, it is looking a distinct possibility that he will depart (albeit on loan), although for me, there was enough today at Scunthorpe to suggest he can be factor for us over the remainder of the season, but the issue of how much playing time he will get with us could well be the deciding factor.

No guarantees for Robinho

"How much a player cost is not important," said Mancini. "What you pay only matters when you are in the act of buying someone.

"The important thing after that is the player working hard and playing well.

"Before the game at Middlesbrough, Robinho had a problem with one of his muscles and he didn't train for two or three days.

"But it is possible he will play tomorrow, although I do feel sorry for the attacking players because I have five or six really good ones and I must decide who is going to be on the bench."

>>Mancini on Robinho.

Robinho finds himself in a tricky situation at the moment. With the form of others, plus his own inconsistent showing he doesn't deserve a starting place, yet without significant playing time he isn't likely to get himself out of the funk that he is in.

As we are witnessing with Carlos Tevez, there is no substitute for a consistent run of games to find your rythm and rediscover your form and Robinho's best football came when he had precisely that.

Competition is so fierce though, and the stakes so high with important games coming thick and fast that Robinho isn't likely to get the opportunity of regular football. A great player to have on the bench of course, but whilst he is not match fit (and looking a little overweight?) are we going to be able to get the best out of him? Or does it even matter given the options we have in attacking positions.

Barcelona end Robinho pursuit

"The conditions that we were prepared to accept for Robinho were not accepted by Manchester City," Laporta told Catalan radio station Rac1 on Monday.

"We are very satisfied with the squad that we have," continued Laporta.

"Unless there is a last-minute surprise, I don't think we will be tapping the winter transfer market."

>>BBC Sport.

The story was further carried by The Guardian, and it is doubtful any other offers may come in for Robinho in the wake of Barca ending their interest.

In his press conference though, Mancini made some positive noises about him, and rightly or wrongly, one of the by prodcts of replacing Hughes with Mancini is that as a bigger name manager the more tempramental players may be more motivated to play for him - something he had plenty of experience of at Inter.

Robinho happy to stay

From an interview set to air on Football Focus tomorrow, in which he talks about the mentality of the side and gives plenty of praise for Mark Hughes:

"I am very happy here. I think I [will] stay here five years or 10 years, I don't know. My family is very happy, the fans love me and I love the fans."

"To finish in the top four would not be bad but we are going to fight for the title until the end.

"I think the morale of the team is improving. It is a winning spirit and our mentality has to be that of the team that wants to win and that wants to be champions.

"We have a great manager in Mark Hughes. He has proved this in all the teams he has managed and is showing that now with Manchester City. He has a great relationship with all the players, including me, and I hope that this year we can be champions together; that is our goal."

Robinho ready

CITY are set to unleash Robinho on struggling Hull this weekend.And the man who has had the closest view of the Brazilian star's fight for fitness believes he is ready to begin weaving his magic once again.First team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki has supervised the full training sessions this week in which Robinho - who hasn't played for the Blues since August 27 - has been busy proving he is ready to rumble.

"Robi is looking really good. We were pleased, after all the speculation when he went with Brazil, that he didn't play for them, because he wasn't ready," he said."He had good training and good treatment whilst with them and has come back to us looking sharper by the day."Things are looking very promising for him in terms of the weekend, and he should be up for selection."

>>MEN.

It is interesting to see the change in approach regarding Robinho, with a frustrating six draws in succession leading to the view that we are lacking a little guile. The talk now is that his return to the side can't come soon enough - a far cry of course from earlier in the season when most relegated him to the third in line behind Bellamy and Petrov, and wondered how he would even get near to the starting line up.

I don't think he starts against Hull, but if we are struggling with half an hour or so remaining, expect the clamour for his introduction to begin.

Robinho's return

In the preview of tomorrow's game I touched on news of a possible return to the line-up for Robinho, and the Mark Hughes has spoken of this possibility:

"He is back training with the group, which is pleasing from everyone's point of view," said Hughes. He is travelling with us and we will make a decision [on his fitness] tomorrow. "It could be a bit early for him to be involved, but certainly he will be in the frame for next week's game against Hull."

As I've mentioned I don't see any circumstance whereby Robinho starts at Anfield but his return to the side is clearly not far away.

An interesting point to contemplate though is quite where he fits into the side. Hughes's preference for the most part of late has been a more rigid 4-4-2 than the 4-3-3 seen earlier in the season. The assumption has been that Robinho would slot in on the left hand side where he featured most often during 2008/09, but a 4-4-2 set up renders a Robinho on the left hand side largely impotent given he does not possess the defensive qualities required for a more withdrawn position in this formation. The 4-3-3 of course clearly allows for Robinho in a more advanced and attacking role, where his talents can be utilised more effectively.

If Hughes is intent on persisting with the 4-4-2 then, the only position Robinho can fit in is as one of the front two - and this could well be the most effective position for him. Playing as the 'off' striker to an Adebayor or Santa Cruz, he would be in a more dangerous, advanced role and able to then link with Bellamy, Wright-Phillips and an advancing midfield. His goalscoring record during 2008/09 was also an impressive one.

His absence through injury has done nothing to dampen the stories and interest about him, and for the most part the concensus opinion has been that Robinho would struggle mightily to even get near the starting line-up.

Now he has virtually regained full-fitness, he is on the cusp of a return and whilst he may be eased back into the starting line-up I don't see Hughes discounting him for long.

Which could be bad news for Carlos Tevez.

Robinho rules himself out

Following the story blowing up this morning, a potential problem has been averted with Robinho ruling himself out of this weekends friendly with England:

"I really don't want to be in the middle of a row between City and Brazil," he said the £32.5m signing from Real Madrid. "But my obligation is to be here and that is supported by Fifa. I came here to look after myself [medically]. I'm just trying to focus on playing again."Asked whether he thought he would be fit for this evening's game against England, he replied: "Not yet. Maybe I will be for the next game [in Oman]."

Brazil coach Dunga is none too pleased with us though, irked at how he has perceived we have handled the whole issue:

"We are the five-time World Cup champions," said Dunga. "They can't just expect to come to our hotel and take him away again. This idea, of sending the guy here and then taking him away, was never going to happen. There is a hierarchy here that has to be respected. We are going to send him back to Manchester City in the right condition to play."

You know, I'm pleased it was Robinho who has made the decision to hold himself out of the game tomorrow, rather than it developing into an issue which escalated into something that could have long term ramifications.

Perhaps if he does play next week, a light run out in a friendly against Oman could be an effective part of his recovery.

Club v Country

Hard to keep him out of the headlines at the moment:

They had hoped to dissuade Robinho from reporting for international duty but relented after agreeing to send their own doctor with him so the injury could be assessed by Brazil's medical staff.

City had hoped Robinho would then fly back with them but have had to relent further, agreeing to him staying with Brazil – although they did not expect him to fly on to Oman for next Tuesday's match.

It is being reported that Mark Hughes is none too happy, believing that his trip would be a similar exercise to that which saw Pablo Zabaleta jet in and straight out of Argentina after being assessed:

"We wanted them [Brazil] to know in no uncertain terms that we felt it was very much a risk if Robi were involved in either of the two games," Hughes said. "He has had one training session in eight to 10 weeks so to think he would be ready for a full international against England, I would suggest that would be foolhardy."

I know this is being talked of as a situation where a wantaway player will openly defy his clubs wishes, thus increasing the chances of him being offloaded, but from this report it suggests a logical reason for him remaining with the Brazil party - and that it is not necessarily with a view to him featuring in either game:

"Whether he'll play this game [against England] or next week we are taking day by day," Rodrigo Piva, the Brazil team spokesman, said. "He'll be assessed again tomorrow [Friday]. We know City want him with them but the situation for us is that we have only three games before the World Cup so we need Robinho here."

The club referred to much of the speculation surrounding Robinho as mischief making, and there is no doubt there plenty of people with a vested interest in what he does. From a playing standpoint it doesn't make sense for the club to sell him on at this stage, with the only reasoning being if his presence is damaging the squad and what Hughes is trying to achieve.

There has been no suggestion of that so far, and Stephen Ireland maintained this week Robinho was happy at the club. It is of course difficult to know what to believe given we are not party to the inner workings of the club.

Perhaps until such a time that Robinho actually comes out and says he wants to leave (instead of it merely being insinuated) then maybe it is a situation where we should be taking things at face value?

More Robinho rumour

Fresh after posting this came another report regarding Robinho surfaced, again in The Guardian, and it is fairly conclusive in its tone:

Manchester City's attempts to placate Robinho and keep the most expensive footballer in England happy have failed, with the Brazilian desperate to leave in the January transfer window. City are aware of his position and, despite strong denials on their mid-season training camp here in the United Arab Emirates, they have reluctantly accepted that the player whose £32.5m transfer was supposed to symbolise the club's ambitions wants no further part in the revolution.

This is of goes completely against the very firm stance that both Garry Cook and Mark Hughes took yesterday, but the report states the club have 'privately' conceded that Robinho wants away:

The question now seems to be when, rather than if, Robinho leaves. Hughes is keen not to lose such a talented player in the middle of the season but, if the Brazilian has his way, he will move at the earliest opportunity.

Without a finger on the pulse (or a very reliable source at least) it is impossible to know precisely what the situation is with Robinho. My personal view is that he stays - until the end of the summer at least, as I don't see the benefit to be gained by short-term loan deal.

We have seen a drip feed of innuendo from sources over the past few months purpoting to be what Robinho is thinking, yet nothing has come directly from the player himself which given his history at Real whereby he was extremely vocal in his desire to force a move possibly suggests that he is content at the club.

This is clearly going to drag on and on - as a disatisfied Robinho makes for good copy of course - and the imminent opening of the transfer window is not likely to dampen speculation much.

The hope then is that it does not cause the distraction it has the potential to - which is an added reason to put recent results to one side and get back to winning ways.

'Oh yes he is', 'Oh no he isn't'

Pantomime season is almost upon us, but the contradictory stories over the future of Robinho continue apace.

There have been a series of reports in today's press with regard to his future, and with many seemingly different angles taken.

AS reported Joan Laporta as indicating the club would back the management at Barcelona should Robinho be a target for them:

"We are not going to close any door or end any plan because, although the squad is competitive, as was shown against Mallorca, if the coaches want to strengthen in the winter market and they recommend a player to us, I am sure we can make a move."

More intriguingly though is a report from ESPN that suggests Barca do not have the wherewithal to buy Robinho outright, hence the suggestion of an extended loan deal:

"Barcelona have made it clear they are talking about a loan deal only and it is hard to believe that will happen."

"Barcelona were, at one time, very interested in Mascherano, but no longer. At one stage I would have said 'yes' that deal could happen, but now I would have to say 'no'.

"I would say that Barcelona do not have the sort of funds to buy either Robinho or Mascherano."

These were suggestions that were dismissed though by Mark Hughes:

"I am quite clear and Robinho should be quite clear that his future is very much with City," said Hughes.There is no reason to think that will change any time soon.

"All those stories do not originate from anyone from City. It is people on the outside taking a view on the situation with Robinho which they have no real insight into."

And later, and more unequivocally by Garry Cook:

“There are no plans to meet Barcelona here this week to talk about Robinho,” stressed CEO Garry Cook after the forward helped open the club’s new training facility in Abu Dhabi.

"I think some people are trying to make mischief when they talk about him leaving. I don't know where these things are coming from. They're not coming from us. We want to talk to him this week but only about getting him fit to play for us again."

I suppose in years gone by, an outright dismissal of these types of reports by a manager and CEO would be enough to kill them, but clubs (including ourselves it has to be said) are known to operate differently in more modern times, and know that a drip feed of insinuation or suggestion to the right areas of the press will have a big impact.

What has been interesting to note is that the recent struggles in terms of results has seen a slight change in approach from a lot of fans in their view of quite how expendable Robinho is, with a lack of creativity in the side being cited as one of the current problems his return could solve - as opposed to luxury the side does not necessarily need.

With a return to full fitness now imminent, it will hopefully put the constant speculation onthe backburner - although you sense with Robinho it may never quite go away completely.

More from Robinho

The sidelined Brazilian has been speaking again to radio in his home country:

"I'm very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me, playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best player in the world than at City."

"I'm not forcing a hypothetical exit from England and neither do I have problems with my coach."

I'm reluctant to wade too much into this and criticise him given the lack of accuracy there often is in quotes such as these.

However, it is best becoming an irritant and it is far from ingratiating him to the support as a whole - and Mark Hughes must be unimpressed at the latest quotes attributed to him, not least because of the endless questions he is likely to have to field from a media keen on the latest soundbite.

I've posted before about Robinho's future, and far from thinking he will be a marginalised figure once he returns to full fitness as most do, for me he could be an integral part of an attacking line-up looking at how we have shaped up this season.

The concern is that the constant drip feed of quotes and reports could build in to a unwanted distraction over the next couple of months as we head to the January window.

Given how Hughes has dealt with 'troublesome' situations he has encountered, if he does sense it developing into a long term issue he won't be slow to take decisive action if need be.

Robinho setback

From harbouring hopes of a return next week against Scunthorpe, it seems that Robinho is instead set for another couple of weeks on the sidelines:

"He's had a little bit of a setback, and the likelihood is it will be another 10 to 14 days," confirmed Hughes.

"The area where the stress fracture is hasn't healed as quickly as we anticipated.

"He could probably join in with the group, but the fear would be if he got a direct bang on that area there's a chance he may re-break the leg.

"So we don't pitch him into those circumstances, and it would be crazy to, so we're going to err on the side of safety.

"We've options, so can cope and give Robi the time he needs. It's important we don't put him at risk."

Perhaps it will at least delay some of the undoubted media controversy his return is expected to create for a little longer.

Waiting in the wings

Mark Hughes mused today on the possibility that Robinho could see a return to action in next weeks Carling Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe:

"There is a possibility that Robi will be on the bench for Scunthorpe, but it might be a bit soon and I don't like to throw players in before they've had games in training or in the reserves.

"We had to throw Vinnie Kompany in because of the circumstances but ideally he'd have had more time, and with the options we've got we can afford to give Robi some more time."

Whilst I have expected changes to the line-up for both of our previous ties in the competition, Hughes has stuck rigidly to his first choice side so far.

This time though we have a number of players who have returned to full fitness but lack match sharpness - Vincent Kompany, Michael Johnson, Roque Santa Cruz and likely Robinho himself. Looking past an opponent can be a dangerous move and the game offers a fantastic opportunity to get through to the last eight, but whilst reserve games can help I'm sure Hughes will be looking at the game as a possibility for these players to taste more competitive action.

Whilst players such as Martin Petrov and Pablo Zabaleta have seen action of late, there are some such as Stuart Taylor, Sylvinho and Vladimir Weiss who have been left kicking their heels on the bench that Hughes could give some time to if he decides to make changes.

No Robinho move says Balague

Hot on the heels of more Robinho exit rumours comes Guillem Balague's considered view:

The Premier league club have no intention of selling their star player and Barcelona do not have sufficient funds to even consider making a large enough bid that might give City reason to reconsider. Furthermore, the Spanish champions are taking the prospect of Mark Hughes` club becoming a major European player seriously - and are eager to treat City with respect - which is why they have not even considered approaching them over a loan move for a player whom they know City have no desire to sell.

Mark Hughes considers Robinho a key player in his plans to progress the club to the next level and City have no intention of letting him go. However, the City boss faces having his man management skills tested to the full as Robinho is excited by the idea of a move to the Camp Nou and has already discussed the prospect with a Barcelona player.

I posted last week about how important it is to keep Robinho, and what an asset he can be to the side this season.

A lot of people are fixated on the idea that because of the form of Bellamy and Petrov then he will be kicking his heels third in line, yet this ignores the versatility he offers and I think Hughes sees him being able to perform a role in the side right across the front line.

There is also no real need to sell Robinho, and the only circumstances that would see him leave is for an ugly and protracted exit, something I don't see either Robinho or Barcelona keen on forcing.

I still maintain that Robinho goes nowhere in January, and becomes a big part of the side over the remainder of the season.

Hughes positive over Robinho

In his press conference today, Mark Hughes dismissed rumours linking Robinho with a move away from the club and predicted good things ahead this season - and echoes what I wrote earlier today:

"There's always speculation and noise surrounding Robi. Read the interview and the vast majority of his comments are positive ones about Man City and what's happening here.

"He made a real impact last season and scored goals for us under difficult circumstances when the team was not playing consistently well. He was one of the few shining lights last year.

"He's not been able to do it in recent weeks but that's the only frustration we have sensed here. That will hopefully be resolved in the next seven to ten days and he's back playing."

"We're not in the process of taking outstanding players out of the team. We want to bring in outstanding players to complement the outstanding ones we already have. We don't want to move Robi or anybody else out of the squad. We're looking to build, we're not looking to dismantle."