Gareth Barry angers fans as he leaves Aston Villa for Manchester City
Jun 3 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Post
and with Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.
“He plays at a level that has an impact on the game, and we are thrilled that he is joining us.”
Barry’s versatility was also vital to City’s move according to Hughes.
“I like players that have the sort of flexibility that enables you to change your tactics if you need during a game, and Gareth has that,” he said.
“He also has a range of passing that I’m keen to introduce to the team, and he has got great delivery at set plays as well. He will bring a lot to City.
“I have spoken to him briefly, and I will do at greater length soon. It’s clear to everybody that being at City is going to be exciting in the future, and Gareth sees that.”
City finalised the transfer just 24 hours after submitting a bid.
Hughes added: “I was looking to get a number of deals done as soon as possible, and we have had a great start with Gareth joining us. I hope we can conclude some more so that when we come back for pre-season training we have everybody fit and well and set for a successful campaign.”
Former Villa manager Graham Taylor believes the switch to City was done with one eye on next summer’s World Cup.
“I think he has to believe that Manchester City will be signing the quality of player that will give them the possibility of Champions League football the season after,” Taylor said.
“Villa have done extremely well this season and have been looking to break into that top four. It may just be that Gareth himself feels the change is right now.
“What he has to be careful about, and what I’m sure he’s aware of, is that there’s nothing greater than playing in the international team and playing in a World Cup, and we’ve got that in 12 months’ time. At Aston Villa it’s almost certain he will be a regular player, and I think he would be at Manchester City. I’m not so certain that could be the case at Liverpool.”
Taylor added that Barry deserves some credit for not allowing his contract to run down completely: “In all fairness to Martin O’Neill and Gareth himself, they both knew this situation would arise when they agreed for him not to go to Liverpool.
“If in fact Gareth is thinking about that kind of move, then it’s far better from Aston Villa’s point of view that it takes place this summer than to let his contract run out.”
