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'Similar to Xavi & a perfect complement to David Silva' - introducing Manchester City new boy David Pizarro
The midfielder was frozen out at Roma by Luis Enrique this season but he may be the addition which could tip the Premier League title hunt in Roberto Mancini's favour
3 Feb 2012 08:10:00
Getty Images
COMMENT
By Julian De Martinis
Roberto Mancini may have done just enough to give Manchester City the edge in the race for the Premier League, simply by adding a 32-year-old Chilean playmaker to his squad.
David Pizarro arrives at the Eastlands after half a season of being almost completely ignored by Luis Enrique at Roma. The midfielder is a relic of a time gone by in the Italian capital, when Luciano Spalletti’s men were the harbingers of a 4-6-0 formation that quickly began to sweep across Serie A. His partnership with Daniele De Rossi in the centre was the foundation on which the team was built, and his creativity lead to several spectacular displays.
Pizarro is technically gifted. Similar to Xavi in style, if not in pure talent, the affectionately nicknamed 'Pek' loves nothing more than to be the deep playmaker of a team.
He rarely loses possession, just over a 90 per cent passing success rate in seven Serie A appearances has not been bettered by any of his Roma team-mates this term. While his excellent awareness and control in close quarters allows for swift distribution both long and short.
Nevertheless, the player remains a gamble for Mancini. His form is certainly questionable given his lack of playing time this season, though his desire to prove himself may more than compensate.
If the gamble fails and Pizarro doesn’t adapt, there’s no long-term obligation and he returns to Roma. In short, it seems like a win-win scenario.
The six months he has at City could be enough for him to make a significant impact. There are few players with his technical nature deep in the midfield in Mancini’s squad, as the likes of Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry and Owen Hargreaves are all renowned for their defensive qualities, rather than technical excellence.
Pizarro gives Mancini’s side a new dimension deep on the pitch. He could easily replicate his partnership with De Rossi with nearly any of City's defensive-minded players, or even with Yaya Toure, who would serve as the perfect foil to his guile.
Could he lead City to the title? His presence will only help the squad and his experience could prove vital. Pizarro fits in at City as a new weapon in a club already primed with talent, and in a deeper role, he could be a perfect complement to David Silva's mesmeric displays in the final third.
Following their defeat against Everton on Tuesday, City's lead at the summit was erased and Mancini's men now sit level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
Teams are starting to tighten up to City's fluid attack and in matches similar to those against David Moyes' resilient side, where creativity is needed from deep, Pizarro just may turn out to be one of the tidiest transfers dealings this window.
By Julian De Martinis
Roberto Mancini may have done just enough to give Manchester City the edge in the race for the Premier League, simply by adding a 32-year-old Chilean playmaker to his squad.
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David Pizarro arrives at the Eastlands after half a season of being almost completely ignored by Luis Enrique at Roma. The midfielder is a relic of a time gone by in the Italian capital, when Luciano Spalletti’s men were the harbingers of a 4-6-0 formation that quickly began to sweep across Serie A. His partnership with Daniele De Rossi in the centre was the foundation on which the team was built, and his creativity lead to several spectacular displays.
Pizarro is technically gifted. Similar to Xavi in style, if not in pure talent, the affectionately nicknamed 'Pek' loves nothing more than to be the deep playmaker of a team.
He rarely loses possession, just over a 90 per cent passing success rate in seven Serie A appearances has not been bettered by any of his Roma team-mates this term. While his excellent awareness and control in close quarters allows for swift distribution both long and short.
The difference | Can David Pizarro push Manchester City to the title?
Nevertheless, the player remains a gamble for Mancini. His form is certainly questionable given his lack of playing time this season, though his desire to prove himself may more than compensate.
If the gamble fails and Pizarro doesn’t adapt, there’s no long-term obligation and he returns to Roma. In short, it seems like a win-win scenario.
| PIZARRO'S PEDIGREE |
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| NEW CITY MAN'S FORMER CLUBS |
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| SANTIAGO WANDERERS UDINESE INTER ROMA |
41 apps 117 24 142 |
The six months he has at City could be enough for him to make a significant impact. There are few players with his technical nature deep in the midfield in Mancini’s squad, as the likes of Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry and Owen Hargreaves are all renowned for their defensive qualities, rather than technical excellence.
Pizarro gives Mancini’s side a new dimension deep on the pitch. He could easily replicate his partnership with De Rossi with nearly any of City's defensive-minded players, or even with Yaya Toure, who would serve as the perfect foil to his guile.
Could he lead City to the title? His presence will only help the squad and his experience could prove vital. Pizarro fits in at City as a new weapon in a club already primed with talent, and in a deeper role, he could be a perfect complement to David Silva's mesmeric displays in the final third.
Following their defeat against Everton on Tuesday, City's lead at the summit was erased and Mancini's men now sit level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
Teams are starting to tighten up to City's fluid attack and in matches similar to those against David Moyes' resilient side, where creativity is needed from deep, Pizarro just may turn out to be one of the tidiest transfers dealings this window.
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|
| 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! |
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 4-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
20:06 BST
So, that game gave a few players a chance to impress for England. Who did/didn't? Will Welbeck start against France? Or Carroll? Or Defoe?!
19:59 BST
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, they are trailing the Netherlands 4-0 at half-time. Looks like that one's all sewn up then.
19:54 BST
We're still getting plenty of Hazard chat on Twitter. A few are now saying that he's not worth the hype, others saying he was brilliant(!?) and others (which I agree with), saying he created much of his own hype. What do you think? Get involved!
19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
19:38 BST
Here's Roy Hodgson's reaction to the result and some injury chat: "I'm very pleased, it's been a hard week and we've used a lot of players. There was a lot of disruption in the second-half with substitutions – some forced upon us, some we wanted to do. But it's still a very good end to the week playing against a good Belgian team here. Arguably even stronger than the Norwegian team we played last week and I've got to be more than happy that we've come out with another victory."
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
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