Stephen Ireland Holds ‘Crunch Talks’ With Man City
By Chris Wright
Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has held ‘crunch talks’ with the club to discuss a summer transfer.
According to Goal UK, Ireland has met with City’s football administration officer Brian Marwood to outline his plans to leave at the end of the season after falling out of favour at Eastlands.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2008-09, receiving the club’s Player of the Year award for his troubles, but has struggled to hold down a first team place this season – making only 16 league appearances.
Ireland himself has spoken publicly of his frustration this season, telling The Manchester Evening News;
“It’s been difficult because I’ve only played a handful of times which is nowhere near the amount I played last year. When I have played, I haven’t played in my position and it’s been a difficult and frustrating season for me.
I think there’s a question mark over next year for me and I don’t know what will happen, but it’s out of my hands.”
Although neither club have commented about the prospective transfer, it is widely thought that City’s bitter rivals Manchester United are leading the race to snap up Ireland, after being heavily linked with a move for the £12-million-rated midfielder over the past six months or so.
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It would be sad indeed were Ireland to leave. It is so easy to buy players, but real management skills bring the best out of those you already have. In Ireland and Johnson we have two box to box midfielders who can tackle, pass and finish, as opposed to sitting in front of a back four simply defending (or at best getting a nose bleed if forced into the opposition half) If Mancini cannot see this he is not the man for City. Sad to say it but the Rags would have beaten Spurs on Wednesday because they would have continually got numbers in Spurs box. We lack ambition and drive. Mancini must keep Ireland (and SWP and Micah ) AND BRING THE BEST OUT OF THEM. That’s Managment!
Perhaps it’s time for Stevie to go somewhere else and revive his career.
He’s a very talented lad, but hasn’t made any progress this season. Like Richard Dunne, he needs a change.
their most talented midfielder
what a waste
any club would be lucky to have him
cant play enough for me
[...] his first-team oppurtunites limited this season following a dip in form and is understood to have met with City’s football administrator to discuss a summer [...]