|
|
Emmanuel Adebayor and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini at loggerheads over striker's return from Africa
Italian wants £25m forward back for assessment before next week's derby
22 Jan 2010 10:15:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Mohammed Bhana | Chief Correspondent
Manchester City are embroiled in a behind-the-scenes row with striker Emmanuel Adebayor over when he can return to the club from Togo, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The £25 million striker is wanted back at Eastlands by his new boss Roberto Mancini before next week’s semi-final League Cup clash against Manchester United.
But Adebayor has refused to offer any assurance that he will come back from Africa any time soon, after surviving a machine-gun attack on the national team bus which left three people dead.
Earlier this week Mancini said the ex-Arsenal striker would be back at City 'in the next few days'.
But Goal.com UK understands Adebayor, who has been given compassionate leave, has also told Mancini that he has an injury.
This has worsened the row with Mancini asking him to return immediately so that Manchester City’s own medical staff can determine the extent of any possible injury.
A source close to Mancini told Goal.com UK: "Adebayor has told the club that he can't come back yet and said he has an injury. He is not being very responsive to his new manager.
"But If Adebayor is not well enough to play, the manager feels he should come back now and get all the care and attention he requires.
"With [Roque] Santa Cruz out, Roberto is desperately lacking aerial strength and needs Adebayor back as soon as possible."
The source insisted that the Italian manager was sensitive to any pyschological trauma Adebayor may have suffered after the attack and would not rush him back into action.
"Roberto absolutely sympathises with Adebayor,” said the source.
“He saw what happened on the TV and was sickened. Whatever the injury - be it physical or pyschological, he wants the player to know he will get the best treatment at the club."
A member of Adebayor’s management team, Bruno Paulinho, told Goal.com UK: “Adebayor is still very upset and is recovering. It has been a very traumatic experience, but we are in regular contact with the club.”
When asked where Adebayor was at the present time, the spokesman refused to comment.
Speaking from the Togolese capital Lome in an interview last week, Adebayor said: "I am sweating every day and I can't eat. I will take my time and come back on the pitch at the right time.
"My boss and my team understand that, that is the most important thing. They know I need time to recover from this.
"It is difficult because my personal press officer died in my hands, that is the worst image I have had in my life. He passed away in my hands. It is very difficult."
Mancini yesterday met with Brian Marwood, City's football administrator, to discuss the best way to handle the situation.
City recently released a statement saying they are prepared to give Adebayor as much time off as he would like in the wake of the attack.
“The club is in regular contact with Emmanuel, his advisors and the English Football Association. It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini and senior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as he needs to recover from the horrific attack.”
By Mohammed Bhana | Chief Correspondent
Manchester City are embroiled in a behind-the-scenes row with striker Emmanuel Adebayor over when he can return to the club from Togo, Goal.com UK can reveal.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The £25 million striker is wanted back at Eastlands by his new boss Roberto Mancini before next week’s semi-final League Cup clash against Manchester United.
But Adebayor has refused to offer any assurance that he will come back from Africa any time soon, after surviving a machine-gun attack on the national team bus which left three people dead.
Earlier this week Mancini said the ex-Arsenal striker would be back at City 'in the next few days'.
But Goal.com UK understands Adebayor, who has been given compassionate leave, has also told Mancini that he has an injury.
This has worsened the row with Mancini asking him to return immediately so that Manchester City’s own medical staff can determine the extent of any possible injury.
A source close to Mancini told Goal.com UK: "Adebayor has told the club that he can't come back yet and said he has an injury. He is not being very responsive to his new manager.
"But If Adebayor is not well enough to play, the manager feels he should come back now and get all the care and attention he requires.
"With [Roque] Santa Cruz out, Roberto is desperately lacking aerial strength and needs Adebayor back as soon as possible."
The source insisted that the Italian manager was sensitive to any pyschological trauma Adebayor may have suffered after the attack and would not rush him back into action.
"Roberto absolutely sympathises with Adebayor,” said the source.
“He saw what happened on the TV and was sickened. Whatever the injury - be it physical or pyschological, he wants the player to know he will get the best treatment at the club."
A member of Adebayor’s management team, Bruno Paulinho, told Goal.com UK: “Adebayor is still very upset and is recovering. It has been a very traumatic experience, but we are in regular contact with the club.”
When asked where Adebayor was at the present time, the spokesman refused to comment.
Speaking from the Togolese capital Lome in an interview last week, Adebayor said: "I am sweating every day and I can't eat. I will take my time and come back on the pitch at the right time.
"My boss and my team understand that, that is the most important thing. They know I need time to recover from this.
"It is difficult because my personal press officer died in my hands, that is the worst image I have had in my life. He passed away in my hands. It is very difficult."
Mancini yesterday met with Brian Marwood, City's football administrator, to discuss the best way to handle the situation.
City recently released a statement saying they are prepared to give Adebayor as much time off as he would like in the wake of the attack.
“The club is in regular contact with Emmanuel, his advisors and the English Football Association. It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini and senior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as he needs to recover from the horrific attack.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
