Matt Oldfield
Manchester City have made a highly promising start to the Premier League season and fans and players alike are now considering the league title as a realistic possibility. And if not this year then very soon. So who has impressed so far in City’s fantastic start? And can Eastlands side really sustain this form and keep pace with established, experienced giants like Chelsea and Manchester United?
The big-money additions – Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor in particular – have of course made an instant impact, but the outspoken Welshman Craig Bellamy has been a surprise star so far this season, seemingly inspired by the fierce competition for places at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Squad depth is a also key issue; if City are to challenge, the team must be able to maintain their form despite injuries and suspensions to star players like Robinho and Adebayor. The initial signs are good. Without both of these players, City appear to have coped rather well and in the form of returning Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov, manager Mark Hughes appears to have a more than reliable replacement for the inconsistent Robinho. If, at least, only Hughes would use him.
After a man-of-the-match return against West Ham, Petrov did not feature from the bench against Aston Villa in the very next game. The Bulgarian is quickly losing patience and who can blame him?
Petrov has already tried to quit City once this season, on the last day of the transfer window in August. After a long-term cruciate knee injury, the 30-year-old Bulgarian returned to the first-team at the end of last season to find a host of new signings and a lack of opportunities. Worried and frustrated about his future, Petrov was strongly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, with David Bentley moving in the opposite direction. When the deal fell through at the last minute, the former Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg winger was forced to remain in Manchester to compete for places with the in-form Bellamy.
However, luckily for both himself and Manchester City, Petrov did not wallow for long. Instead, he fought his way back into the City starting XI and after a wonderful performance against West Ham, looked likely to keep his place for the foreseeable future. With Robinho sidelined and Adebayor facing further suspension, there appeared to be space in the side for both Bellamy and Petrov.
Alas, this was not to be. Against Aston Villa, Adebayor returned up front, Bellamy reverted back to his wide left position and the Bulgarian was left to warm the bench for 90 minutes. So much for good performances earning rewards.
Hughes simply does not seem to appreciate Petrov’s value. Against Aston Villa, City could surely have used his natural width, as well as pace, as they chased a winning goal. The Bulgarian will always create chances, as he showed against West Ham, setting up Tevez’s opener and then scoring the second from a free-kick. The Hammers’ defence simply could not cope with the winger’s directness and trickery.
Rather than Bellamy and Robinho, who are more comfortable moving infield, the Bulgarian can provide traditional width, hugging the touchline, beating defenders and delivering crosses.
Perhaps Hughes feels that Petrov offers little that right winger Shaun Wright-Phillips doesn’t; both are pacy and skillful widemen. However, the former Atletico Madrid man is certainly the stronger player and arguably also the better crosser and finisher. As an old-fashioned winger, Petrov is an increasingly unusual but very useful player and City must find a satisfying role for him. After all, variety, along with depth, is the sign of a great team.
Whatever the reasons, Petrov is certainly not content with the sitation. "When they give me a chance I give my best", the frustrated winger told the press. "I think I’ve shown that I deserve a place in the starting line-up but it’s up to him [Hughes]…It’s not a pleasant situation. I’m a professional and I’m observing my obligations…"
The sale of Petrov would truly represent the end of one era and the start of the next at Manchester City. With Elano, Geovanni, Vedran Corluka, Rolando Bianchi and several others gone, the Bulgarian is the last remaining member of the infamous Sven-Goran Eriksson revolution.
The winger moved to Eastlands in July 2007 for just under £5M as part of the Swede’s big plans to turn around the club’s fortunes. In his first season, while the Brazilian Elano stole the headlines, Petrov was arguably the pick of the signings. The Bulgarian only scored six goals but his runs created at least a dozen more and his left foot became renowned as one of the league’s most deadly weapons.
Initially somewhat erratic, Petrov was quickly finding his feet in the Premier League. And then he disappeared. In October 2008, just as the season really got going, Petrov suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty and only returned in April 2009, as the season drew to a close. Such a prolonged absence coupled with the dramatic Arab takeover and cash injection, left Petrov’s place looking increasingly uncertain.
And it still does look uncertain. If Bellamy continues his early season form, first-team chances will be few and far between for Martin Petrov at Manchester City. Already he is looking to escape, with the January transfer window seeming his best bet. Most Premier League clubs would welcome the Bulgarian into their starting XI with open arms.
Petrov fans will hope he finds an appreciative home soon, and who knows, maybe then City will come to regret their cruel treatment of such a valuable player.
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