Jim White

Robinho's time is up

Wed Nov 11 12:56PM

Just as England arrive in Doha to play Brazil in a game Sir Alex Ferguson can hardly wait to watch, Manchester City are heading round the Gulf for a touch of Middle Eastern sun this week.

They have a series of engagements in Abu Dhabi, where they are being feted by their new owners, paraded like a collection of prize show dogs.

Mark Hughes has taken those not involved in international matches (unfortunately that does not include Wayne Bridge) plus those long on the injured list to do a bit of flesh pressing and to evangelise about the Eastlands revolution. Oh, and to play in a friendly.

Among those on the plane is Robinho. Let's hope Hughes has packed a muzzle: as ambassadors for the City project go, the temperamental Brazilian is perhaps not the most convincing.

According to gossip emanating from the City camp, such is the diminutive striker's current disaffection with all things sky blue he has told his advisers that, 15 months on from his move from Real Madrid, he does not "want another day in Manchester".

He has been publicly lobbying for a transfer to Barcelona since the summer, telling Brazilian journalists that the Camp Nou is "his destiny" and that he wants to be there as soon as possible, certainly no later than January 1.

It is not really the most compelling commercial Hughes might wish to have aired for his claim that City is now the centre of the footballing universe. The manager has insisted that all the talk in the papers is "people making mischief". Which may not be too far wide of the mark; the trouble is, the biggest mischief maker is Robinho himself.

Hughes must know Robinho is not happy. And neither should the City accountants be: his three appearances this season have cost them upwards of half a million quid a throw. Even the world's richest football club might seek slightly better return from their investment than that.

Partly because he is not playing, Robinho has become increasingly shirty. When his playmates Elano and Jo were moved out of the club, he found himself the only Brazilian around the place. His English is non-existent, his wife is said to be dispirited by the Mancunian weather and as for the renowned warmth of the local welcome... their neighbours have done nothing but complain about the volume of Brazilian music pumping out of Robinho's mansion.

And given that the nearest neighbour must be half a mile away, it must have been loud.

Deep down, Hughes knows there is only one way this plotline is heading. And he will have mixed feelings about letting Robinho go.

On the one hand, losing his big marquee name hardly acts as an advertisement to attract the best talent, particularly as the Brazilian is being so disparaging about the local lifestyle. 'Come to Manchester and get rusty' is not the best selling line the manager has to employ.

But on the other hand, far from damaging the collective enterprise, getting rid of the perpetual whinger would do no harm to Hughes's team spirit. Besides, without Robinho in their ranks this season others have been able to prosper: Martin Petrov has returned effectively into consideration in Robinho's very position, plus there is Craig Bellamy, who thrives under Mark Hughes's stewardship in a way he was never prepared even to try.

So good has he been this season, Liverpool fans must look on and wonder if this is some imposter wearing Bellamy's shirt. What a player he looks; right now he is as effective as anyone. So effective, indeed, he must read all the euphoric discussions about whether it is Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres who is the best forward in the Premier League and wonder what on earth he has to do to achieve recognition.

Squeezing his new genius Bellamy, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho into the same team was always going to be impossible for the City manager. If the one to miss out is Robinho, you suspect that whatever he says publicly, Hughes will not shed too many tears.

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last!
From dmcmullan2000 on Wed Nov 11 01:27PM
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last!
From dmcmullan2000 on Wed Nov 11 01:27PM
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I'd be amused if Chelsea nabbed him in the transfer window, to deny Barcelona
From sameenuk on Wed Nov 11 01:31PM
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I highly doubt City will miss him. He's done nothing since he arrived and as Jim said, Bellamy seems to thrive under Mark Hughes. I say good riddance to him, hes a bad advertisement for the league. And this comes from a die-hard United fan.
From simpsongerard on Wed Nov 11 01:37PM
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'paraded like a collection of prize show dogs...' what the f***?, since when collective and creative journalism allow you to call them that. When it comes to Arabs buying and saving your economy, you call us master of the dogs? who cares who the f*** they buy, we're injecting the money eih?
From mus_taha on Wed Nov 11 01:40PM
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Bye bye Robinho...
Stephen Ireland Is Manchester City's Best Player!!!
When Robinho joined Manchester City in a €42 million switch from Real Madrid, the club's supporters were in raptures at having a top-drawer talent that could lead into the upper echelons of the Premier League. While the Brazilian superstar has flourished, the Sky Blues remain in the bottom half of the table. Indeed, only goal difference is keeping them above the relegation zone at the moment. But that is not to say they haven't played some scintillating football, nor does it indicate that it has been a one-man show at Eastlands this term - quite the opposite, in fact.
Stevie Ireland. He was always a talented player but he has changed so much as a person and has grown up so much. And look at him now. Ireland's imperious form has seen him become a fixture under Mark Hughes, and has even cast doubt over the future Brazilian playmaker Elano and the highly rated Michael Johnson.
Stevie has already netted eight goals this term. Stevie Ireland is City's most impressive performer!!!
City have people like Robinho!!! But Stevie has probably is Manchester City's Best Player!!!
I met Stevie in a bar in Manchester and he was so nice to me, i LOVE Stevie Ireland very much!!!
But SORRY Stevie... On Saturday Liverpool will beat the BEST TEAM in MANCHESTER!!! CITY!!!
Stevie, you know...I LOVE you
Mr. Huges, please buy Sánchez and Fabiano (Sevilla FC)...
...and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
...and new shoes for me please ))
...Parfume: Burberry "weekend" ))
...a Chanel Handbag ))
...a Hérmes Handbay ))
and, and, and.....
From scousebabyliverpool on Wed Nov 11 01:42PM
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youve got a point Jim but you put your point across in a very boring way..
The fact is Robinho (as well as money) has been the attraction for majority of the big players that have come to City. It would be interesting to see what happens to City players if Robinho decides to leave.
From adamtim59 on Wed Nov 11 01:51PM
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mus_taha you've confirmed Jim's point entirely in what you've said. You're "injecting the money eih?" The phase money doesn't buy class has never been more appropriate than it is these days.
From jamesgwild on Wed Nov 11 01:54PM
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I notice Jim's been getting a bit of stick lately. Admittedly I would not so easily cast aside Robinho's impact last season. Some of his performances and goals were majestic - but come on this is Jim White! Surely no more trustworthy journalist breathes today! Would you rather read a column by #8 twice a week - purely devoted to Stephen Ireland?
From david.yarwood on Wed Nov 11 02:00PM
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Robinho? Who's that? Is he still with us? Was he ever WITH us? The truth is that most City fans have got more than used to him not being in the team, and we are not particularly unhappy about it. He is without question a very talented footballer, but he is not strong enough for the Premier League or the British climate (not just Manchester's!!). Let's get what we can for him and move on.
From michael.hardy11 on Wed Nov 11 02:12PM
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mus_taha, who are you?!?. What do you know about football anyway?? Your arab nations have to buy into class because you don't actually have any of your own!
LOL @ you and others like you! Acting like you are some big shot, like you are something important! Pure comedy gold!
It will be interesting watching you go back to your old ways when the oil runs out.
From andrew2010uk on Wed Nov 11 02:20PM
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2muchSAF
From svenverelst70 on Wed Nov 11 02:22PM
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Personally, Robinho is why I became a City fan [Yes, and I am not ashame of it even now], but he has to go. That kid is grossly callow, shallow and oh no, one garrulous @#$% sapien.
Adebayor is my favorite City player now and he's got the star power to attract a few good players too. Sell him for Yaya Toure and a few extra bucks.
This Club is too big for any one ego!
ROBIN-who?
From peculiarpraise on Wed Nov 11 02:30PM
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Stop paying his astronomical wages and sack him for throwing a sicky
Good luck at Barcelona it's niice and warm there
At least his @#$% won't get cold on the bench
From brianobrien on Wed Nov 11 02:34PM
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It would seem Jim White's sarcasm has flew over the head of some bloggers on here. Here is one quote from a football article to help those who cant keep up: "Sir Alex Ferguson has issued a veiled criticism of the Football Association's decision to schedule England's friendly international against Brazil in Doha next month." Because he is supposedly quoted to say they are a waste of time.
From aiken2me on Wed Nov 11 02:34PM
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Robinho does have the capability to be a great foorballer once again, but it will not happen with manchester city, they are not a winning club, and the fact they have have not met their expectations thus far, its not his fault.
The fault lies with Man City, you cant buy success. For the price of Robinho they could have bout several Stephen Irelands. And Robinho could be at a club where he could demonstrate his abilities.
It will take much longer for Man City to be recognised as one of the top sides in the world.
I think your article lacks common sense.
From richardseanbaker on Wed Nov 11 02:35PM
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i must say that this is not up to your usual standards Jim; did the Early Doors' boys ghost-write this for ya?
From bobo.spamble on Wed Nov 11 02:37PM
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For those that don't understand the Fergie phrase...
SAF has made it well known he hates pointless friendlies in the middle of the season. i.e. Brazil vs England.
Therego Jim White has used sarcasm in the phrase "a game SAF can hardly wait to watch"
From luke_argent on Wed Nov 11 02:48PM
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Completely agree with comment 3. This really is a petty post
From fahadm150 on Wed Nov 11 02:49PM
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who needs prima donnas in footie,dont they pee you off,bellamys ten times better value
From rap_bloggs on Wed Nov 11 02:56PM
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who needs prima donnas in footie,dont they pee you off,bellamys ten times better value
From rap_bloggs on Wed Nov 11 02:56PM
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This was a mistake from the get go..I think Robinho thought he was going to Manchester United, only to arrive at Manchester "City"...All in all, he will def leave. Anyone think he'd be happy at Chelsea?
From demanch0 on Wed Nov 11 03:09PM
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I've just read a quote from Robinho he says Jim White's time is up.
From ima_fat_tw on Wed Nov 11 03:19PM
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Don't know why everyone's having a dig at Jim in this article.. I think it was fine. Those of you that don't get the SAF reference don't keep up with footballing news. SAF made a show about how he wasn't happy with these ill-timed England friendlies and Jim merely referenced that in a sarcastic joke. He is the best writer on this page so those that don't like it, why don't you b ugger off.
From jamesbroadfoot on Wed Nov 11 03:23PM
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:P
From carl.meouchy on Wed Nov 11 03:24PM
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:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P
From carl.meouchy on Wed Nov 11 03:25PM
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Jim White's time - as a Eurosport Yahoo! blogger and self styled football pundit - has been up for years, yet somehow, against all odds this empty vessel keeps on making a lot of noise - about nothing!
Please Yahoo! take back a little credibility and sack this moron!!!
From alan_paperboy on Wed Nov 11 03:38PM
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Jim White's time - as a Eurosport Yahoo! blogger and self styled football pundit - has been up for years, yet somehow, against all odds this empty vessel keeps on making a lot of noise - about nothing!
Please Yahoo! take back a little credibility and sack this moron!!!
From alan_paperboy on Wed Nov 11 03:38PM
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How come when I submit a comment that's critical of White/Yahoo! I don't get the usual 'Invalid Comment' but receipt still isn't acknowledged either?
What kind of morons are running thw show?
From alan_paperboy on Wed Nov 11 03:40PM
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If you throw money at the transfer market there's always a good chance that one of your purchases will be a waste of time. Robinho in point.
If City win nothing this year who will be r the next dissaffected one. Bets perlease...Tevez?Ade? Belamy? or even Lescott
From cliveeta on Wed Nov 11 03:45PM
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