Gareth Barry claimed last night he had no worries about swapping title-chasing Liverpool for mid-table Manchester City – and that he believes he can turn Mark Hughes’s side into title contenders.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez thought he had agreed a deal for Barry to join his Premier League runners-up from Aston Villa this summer.
But Barry produced a remarkable U-turn and completed a £12million switch to Eastlands instead.
He insists, however, he is not thinking about what might have been.
“It’s completely out of my mind, worrying about Liverpool and what could have been. That’s all in the past,” he said.
“This season it’s a different situation. Manchester City have had a bid accepted for me and they made me feel wanted.”
Barry believes he can turn City from mid-table inconsistents into a team capable of rivalling Liverpool for a title challenge next season.
He added: “You have seen the type of players Manchester City are able to attract, like Robinho.
“I think this club has got everything in place to achieve big things and challenge right at the top, to go from a mid-table team to a team challenging right at the top.”
Barry claimed it was the club’s ambition that persuaded him to move to Eastlands.
He added at a press conference yesterday: “The club put a price on me and Manchester City have come in and paid the money really early on.
“I spoke to the manager (Mark Hughes). I spent a bit of time thinking, spoke to friends and I am confident I have made the right decision.
“I felt very wanted here. The ambition was the main thing for me.”
Barry issued a letter to Villa fans through a local newspaper after the move explaining his decision to leave Villa Park.
He added: “People made out I was sort of apologising for it. I don’t feel a need to apologise for leaving Aston Villa. I just stated my reasons. I had spent 12 years at the club and wanted to state my reasons.”
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez thought he had agreed a deal for Barry to join his Premier League runners-up from Aston Villa this summer.
But Barry produced a remarkable U-turn and completed a £12million switch to Eastlands instead.
He insists, however, he is not thinking about what might have been.
“It’s completely out of my mind, worrying about Liverpool and what could have been. That’s all in the past,” he said.
“This season it’s a different situation. Manchester City have had a bid accepted for me and they made me feel wanted.”
Barry believes he can turn City from mid-table inconsistents into a team capable of rivalling Liverpool for a title challenge next season.
He added: “You have seen the type of players Manchester City are able to attract, like Robinho.
“I think this club has got everything in place to achieve big things and challenge right at the top, to go from a mid-table team to a team challenging right at the top.”
Barry claimed it was the club’s ambition that persuaded him to move to Eastlands.
He added at a press conference yesterday: “The club put a price on me and Manchester City have come in and paid the money really early on.
“I spoke to the manager (Mark Hughes). I spent a bit of time thinking, spoke to friends and I am confident I have made the right decision.
“I felt very wanted here. The ambition was the main thing for me.”
Barry issued a letter to Villa fans through a local newspaper after the move explaining his decision to leave Villa Park.
He added: “People made out I was sort of apologising for it. I don’t feel a need to apologise for leaving Aston Villa. I just stated my reasons. I had spent 12 years at the club and wanted to state my reasons.”
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