Friday, April 23, 2010

Mancini Delays Torres Talk

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted his admiration of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, but has put off all transfer talk until end the of the season.

The world's richest club have been heavily linked with the Spain ace for several weeks and it is thought City could make a bid for the currently injured star once the season is over.

But while Mancini has admitted his admiration of the player, he believes all the top clubs in Europe would love to sign the striker.

And instead of transfer talk, the City boss is concentrating on securing UEFA Champions League football next term.

Mancini said: "Fernando Torres is a fantastic striker.

"But all the teams in Europe are interested in him.

"We must get the rest of the matches out of the way first, then we will decide about other players."

Mancini believes securing Champions League football is vital to attracting the top players to the mega-rich club, who also want to make a bid for the title next term.

He added: "All the top players want to play in the Champions League.

"Next year we want to be a team who wins the Premier League. To do that we need top players."

Mancini also confirmed defender Micah Richards could be involved in Saturday's encounter with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after a four-match absence with a knee injury.

The game will see a return to north London for ex-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The forward made a controversial goal celebration when the two sides met at Eastlands earlier in the season and then landed himself with a three-match ban for raking his studs down the side of Robin van Persie's face in the same game.

But Mancini wants Adebayor to forget about want has gone on before and instead focus on helping his present club on Saturday.

The City boss added: "I remember that game because I watched it on TV.

"I don't know why it happened but it is important Emmanuel only concentrates on Manchester City on Saturday.

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