BRAZIL FIRST ... for City ace Robinho
...........................................................................................................
REBEL Robinho seems certain to defy Mark Hughes and put Brazil before Manchester City.
The £32.5million Samba star plans to make his eagerly-awaited comeback from injury in Tuesday's meaningless exhibition match against Oman.
Britain's most expensive player has not played for City since the end of August as he fractured his ankle while on international duty the following month.
Eastlands boss Hughes was expecting his erratic £160,000-a-week forward to play his first game next Saturday at Liverpool in a crunch Premier League clash.
Furious Sparky already believes Robinho has outstayed his welcome by staying on and training with Brazil ahead of tonight's friendly against England.
But the defiant player, 25, said: "I am not fit yet but maybe in the next game.
"When I am with Brazil, it is like being with my family. It is like being back at home again.
"I want to be here always. I don't want to be in the middle of a row between Manchester City and Brazil.
"My obligation is to be here and that is supported by FIFA.
"My club pays me every month and it's important I do a good job with them so that I can play for my country. I don't want a problem. I'm so happy at my club. We talk a lot.
"I'm just trying to focus on playing again. I came here to look after myself medically. Someone has to sort out the problem but it is not me."
Hughes has already voiced his frustration that Robinho has remained with the Brazil squad in Qatar instead of rejoining City on their trip to Abu Dhabi.
The Manchester United legend claims his wayward star was allowed to join up with his countrymen purely out of courtesy, to confirm the extent of his ankle injury and for Robinho to then take the one-hour flight back to Abu Dhabi. City jet home today but Robinho will infuriate his Eastlands paymasters even more by staying on with Brazil in the Middle East for the next four days.
He joined in with training again last night but is almost certain NOT to face England tonight.
Brazil play a friendly in Muscat against Oman on Tuesday and that leaves just three days before the crucial game at Anfield as ambitious City push for a top-four finish and Champions League football.
And the star has the full backing of Brazil boss Dunga in the tug-of-war.
World Cup-winner Dunga said: "We are five-times world champions - they must show us respect.
"Manchester City cannot expect to just come to our hotel and take Robinho away with them.
"He has come here to be with us and to be observed and treated by our doctors and we hope to return him in a condition fit to play."
Robinho last lined up for the Blues in their Carling Cup second-round win at Crystal Palace on August 27 - seven weeks ago. There has been constant speculation regarding his commitment to the club ever since he signed from Real Madrid.
He insists he is happy at Eastlands, despite the ever-shifting sands suggesting he wants out. Brazil team-mate and ex-Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has told the unsettled Samba star he needs to embrace English culture to fully enjoy the Premier League.
Midfielder Gilberto, 33, was a Gunner for six years and now plays for Panathinaikos in Greece. He said: "The biggest advice I can give Robinho to adapt to England is to learn the language.
"That is one of the most important things. It opens up so many more opportunities.
"Then learn how the game works there. I think he's learned that and I think his English has improved. We do speak.
"Kaka is another Brazilian who speaks English and we all speak together in English sometimes. We even do it in a fun way."
Gilberto added: "In the last few weeks, Robinho's been receiving treatment for his injury.
"He's concerned because he wants to play for City and for Brazil but he looks all right now.
"Of course, when these kind of rumours come out - are you going to stay, are you going to leave - the player tries not to get involved and to avoid this conversation.
"If people interpret comments, it can turn another way. So we are avoiding this topic."
The £32.5million Samba star plans to make his eagerly-awaited comeback from injury in Tuesday's meaningless exhibition match against Oman.
Britain's most expensive player has not played for City since the end of August as he fractured his ankle while on international duty the following month.
Eastlands boss Hughes was expecting his erratic £160,000-a-week forward to play his first game next Saturday at Liverpool in a crunch Premier League clash.
Furious Sparky already believes Robinho has outstayed his welcome by staying on and training with Brazil ahead of tonight's friendly against England.
But the defiant player, 25, said: "I am not fit yet but maybe in the next game.
"When I am with Brazil, it is like being with my family. It is like being back at home again.
"I want to be here always. I don't want to be in the middle of a row between Manchester City and Brazil.
"My obligation is to be here and that is supported by FIFA.
"My club pays me every month and it's important I do a good job with them so that I can play for my country. I don't want a problem. I'm so happy at my club. We talk a lot.
"I'm just trying to focus on playing again. I came here to look after myself medically. Someone has to sort out the problem but it is not me."
Hughes has already voiced his frustration that Robinho has remained with the Brazil squad in Qatar instead of rejoining City on their trip to Abu Dhabi.
The Manchester United legend claims his wayward star was allowed to join up with his countrymen purely out of courtesy, to confirm the extent of his ankle injury and for Robinho to then take the one-hour flight back to Abu Dhabi. City jet home today but Robinho will infuriate his Eastlands paymasters even more by staying on with Brazil in the Middle East for the next four days.
He joined in with training again last night but is almost certain NOT to face England tonight.
Brazil play a friendly in Muscat against Oman on Tuesday and that leaves just three days before the crucial game at Anfield as ambitious City push for a top-four finish and Champions League football.
And the star has the full backing of Brazil boss Dunga in the tug-of-war.
World Cup-winner Dunga said: "We are five-times world champions - they must show us respect.
"Manchester City cannot expect to just come to our hotel and take Robinho away with them.
"He has come here to be with us and to be observed and treated by our doctors and we hope to return him in a condition fit to play."
Robinho last lined up for the Blues in their Carling Cup second-round win at Crystal Palace on August 27 - seven weeks ago. There has been constant speculation regarding his commitment to the club ever since he signed from Real Madrid.
He insists he is happy at Eastlands, despite the ever-shifting sands suggesting he wants out. Brazil team-mate and ex-Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has told the unsettled Samba star he needs to embrace English culture to fully enjoy the Premier League.
Midfielder Gilberto, 33, was a Gunner for six years and now plays for Panathinaikos in Greece. He said: "The biggest advice I can give Robinho to adapt to England is to learn the language.
"That is one of the most important things. It opens up so many more opportunities.
"Then learn how the game works there. I think he's learned that and I think his English has improved. We do speak.
"Kaka is another Brazilian who speaks English and we all speak together in English sometimes. We even do it in a fun way."
Gilberto added: "In the last few weeks, Robinho's been receiving treatment for his injury.
"He's concerned because he wants to play for City and for Brazil but he looks all right now.
"Of course, when these kind of rumours come out - are you going to stay, are you going to leave - the player tries not to get involved and to avoid this conversation.
"If people interpret comments, it can turn another way. So we are avoiding this topic."
...........................................................................................................
No comments:
Post a Comment