In the later part of the previous season, all the hard-work that was being done, was done by Stephen Ireland and Robinho [count Given as well]. The surely felt a necessity for a Striker so as for Ireland to play a mid-field role and a striker to perform some scoring duty. They relied on the likes of Benjami, Bojinov, Bellami and even, Caceido [all assisting Robinho]. When the summer transfer season began, a striker signing was sure on cards. But to everyone's surprise, the very first signing was in the name of Gareth Barry, an English midfielder.
The signing spree then eventually began, as Mark Hughes, manager of Manchester City signed Roque Santa Cruz. A real good buy in my opinion. A perfect goal-poacher for the likes of the club of Manchester City. Speculation began as if Manchester City were to sign another striker in Samuel Eto'o but to everyone's surprise, around 20 days later, Manchester City signed Carlos Tevez, a striker who was said to be ignored by Sir Alex in the later part of his contract at Old Trafford. Everyone just though, Mark Hughes had something else in mind, maybe playing a 4-3-3 strategy with Robinho, Santa Cruz and Tevez and Ireland+Barry+Elano/Petrov combination working out the things in midfield.
PS : Be it Santa Cruz [£17.5 million], Gareth Barry [£12 million] or Carlos Tevez [around £25-30 million], all were said to be signed for a fee more than they actually deserved to. Money doing all the talking. Thanks to their Rich Abu Dhabi Group owners!!!
But Mark Hughes, again showing the strength of money, did, which even Manchester City fans weren't able to visualise in thei dreams. He signed Emmanuel Adebayor, striker from Arsenal, for a hefty fee to be in the region of £25m. If even a Arsenal fan is asked, Adebayor never deserved a transfer fee of around £25m.
Secondly, with high-profile strikers such as Robinho, Tevez and Santa-Cruz, there wasn't any need for signing a strikers such as Adebayor. At the moment, Manchester City has following strikers---Robinho, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Adebayor, Bellami, Bojinov, Benjani, Caceido and even Ched Evans. That makes it 9 strikers who can play for Manchester City. With Santa Cruz and Robinho virtually assured to be playing in the playing XI almost each and everytime Manchester City come out on-field, we'll have to see, who amongst Tevez and Adebayor makes it into playing XI. With the likes of Barry, Ireland, Petrov and Elano present in the midfield, I hardly doubt if any of the strikers would be made to play on the wings. But one thing is for sure, that it was all a talk when Tevez accused Manchester United that they didn't made him play in the playing XI for much, and that was the reason he was leaving Manchester United. Money drives everyone crazy, and maybe, so was the case with Adebayor and Tevez.
Mark Hughes has a tough job at hand. Who to play and who to leave. But then, no-one would mind sitting on the bench for getting such hefty salaries.
Money does all the talking!!!