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The record British transfer fee which brought Robinho de Souza to Manchester City on the final day of the summer 2008 transfer window was the most visible symbol of the club’s newly found financial muscle. City fans were hoping Robinho would bring his exciting, free-flowing samba style to Eastlands. The player duly exhibited his superb skills and goal-scoring ability but soon grew unhappy at the club. His loan move back to his boyhood club, Santos earlier this year signalled the possible end of his time in England. In the coming days, however, Robinho will return to his parent club where he is likely to request a permanent move to Brazil. Was this turbulent relationship with a gifted yet temperamental always set to end in tears?
Robinho played for Real Madrid for three seasons between 2005 and 2008. Although his time there was not considered an unbridled success the player who inherited Figo’s No 10 shirt contributed with fine goals and impressive assists. Robinho felt he was never fairly recognised for his efforts with Los Blancos where he faced several spells out of the first team and fell out spectacularly with Ramon Calderon. Plans to renew his contract were thrown into the long grass as the club hoped to use the player as a potential makeweight in their quest to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Robinho demanded a transfer stating that his relationship with the club had been damaged irreparably. He knew his preferred destination. “Chelsea have a great team and their offer is good for me and for the team.” When Abramovic’s Chelsea were outbid by Sheik Mansour’s Manchester City the player had to accept the move.
This turn of events should have been the first warning for City fans that their relationship with the Brazilian would not always be congenial. On arrival Robinho promised to showcase his skills, run at defenders, score goals but also create them. He got off to an encouraging start, scoring on his debut against rival bidders Chelsea and scored with a sumptuous lob in City’s 3-0 defeat of Arsenal. He netted 15 times that season, registering a hat-trick against Stoke and creating many more goals through his excellent link up play and penetrative passing.
The 2008/09 season was not merely full of such delights for Robinho. The player had apparently adapted to Manchester life after being spotted queuing for a discount store card and hopping on the bus. However he attracted a record fine from the club after walking out on their mid-season training camp in Tenerife. The signals were that the player was already disenchanted with life at the club. A number of lacklustre performances followed and in a season when the majority of the City players didn’t perform away from home, Robinho was made the scapegoat. This perception served to illuminate those occasions when the player appeared disinterested, unwilling to provide defensive cover and only able to spring into life once the perfect ball had been received to feet.
The club’s purchase of Craig Bellamy who combined attacking verve with tenacity and commitment on the left flank isolated Robinho further. Roberto Mancini’s arrival at the club last December was supposed to mark the revival of the Brazilian star. The former Sampdoria striker who expertly combined temper and talent saw something of himself in Robinho. But the player was now unhappier than ever and asked for a return to his homeland. He was allowed to return on loan to Santos where he received a hero’s welcome.
His future now appears undecided as he returns to Manchester. He is reluctant to play again at Eastlands and there are doubts as to whether he would make Mancini’s 25-man squad. The gifted player is effectively in limbo as City and Santos discuss a potential deal. The indications were there from the start, however, that this would not be a smooth or long-lasting relationship.
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery