Former City defender makes Messi and Robinho comparison
Former Manchester City defender Richard Dunne believes the signing of Lionel Messi could have a similar effect on the club as the arrival of Robinho in 2008.
Dunne was City captain when Sheikh Mansour bought the Blues and has recalled the difference made overnight as world-class players started to arrive.
The signing of Robinho was a turning point in City’s history and Dunne thinks Messi’s arrival could have a similar effect.
“It was brilliant,” Dunne told Sky Sports. “It was a change from one day to the next, when the club became a club with massive expectations, and the first thing we did was we went and signed Robinho, a world star at the time.
“We’ve got some great players at Man City but when Messi comes in, or if he comes in, those players will want to up their game. They will want to prove they are on the same level and deserve to be playing alongside him.
“It makes a huge difference, even at a big club who have huge superstars already. If you can bring in a player on the next level, it really helps around the place.”
Who is City’s next Brazilian wonderkid?
Manchester City are understood to have reached an agreement for the signing of Gremio teenager Diego Rosa, paying an initial £5.2 million for the player which could rise to £23 million with a number of add-ons.
Rosa, who doesn’t have a British work permit, is expected to be loaned out for the 2020/21 season, with one of Manchester City’s sister clubs, such as Girona or Troyes.
M.E.N. Sport’s Stuart Brennan details what City fans can expect from the young Brazilian and why the club have made such an effort to bring the teenager to the Etihad Stadium.
The midfielder, who was also wanted by Juventus, has not made a first-team appearance for Gremio but impressed in a number of games for Brazil’s Under-17 side.
How City's record-breaking kits were produced
The past few weeks have seen Manchester City unveil their new Puma kits for the 2020/21 season, with the club’s third kit launched on Thursday.
The global COVID-19 pandemic made it significantly more difficult for City and Puma to work together on the designs, with new working conditions causing a headache for both organisations.
MEN Sport’s Simon Bajkowkski has detailed how logistical difficulties were overcome as City and Puma went on to produce a set of kits that broke open day sales records when they were released.
