Monday, February 6th, 2012
Following the injury to first choice goalkeeper and club captain Shay Given, Manchester City are now facing a goalkeeper crisis with only third choice Gunnar Nielsen available. Given’s backup Stuart Taylor is also out with injury and Roberto Mancini is obviously not keen to rely on inexperienced Faroe Island international Nielsen to keep the team in the race for the fourth Champions League spot.
City have thus turned to a petition to the Football Association to allow them to sign a goalkeeper via an emergency loan deal. It will be interesting to see how the FA responds as it would be deemed a highly unfair move to allow the club to take such an action considering that they still do have a goalkeeper to use in the form of Nielsen.
City have also tried other desperate measures like asking Birmingham to release Joe Hart from his loan deal. Hart moved to the Midlands club this season in a loan arrangement that only allows him to return to Eastlands after the season. City are now trying to reverse the agreement in light of the crisis.
However, Birmingham and the FA would do well to deny the club such requests. Again, City have a goalkeeper in Nielsen, regardless of his inexperience. Other clubs would have to handle a similar crisis in the same manner. Perhaps the rich at City have decided that they are above the law and special dispensation should be allowed them. Unfortunately it is not fair play at all and if they are granted their request, expect Liverpool, Aston Villa and Spurs to contest the decision, whatever it may be.
Tags: Birmingham City, EPL live, goalkeeper crisis, Gunnar Nielsen, Manchester City, Roberto Mancinim, Shay Given