VMC’s Skoorb gives his close season low-down on City and France’s Gael Clichy, one of The Blues bargain buys of recent years…
Gael Clichy
Squad Number: 22
D.O.B
26/07/1985
Birthplace:
Toulouse, France
Height:
5` 9.5′
Position:
Defender
Signed:
04/07/2011 from Arsenal for £7m
Former Clubs:
Arsenal, Cannes
International:
France (11 caps, 0 goals)
According to the surgeon who operated upon him, that Clichy is alive to play top-flight football at all is a miracle after his heart stopped for 15 seconds during a seven-hour operation as a 15-year-old.
He signed for Arsenal in 2003 after having played only 15 games for Cannes & made his debut for the Gunners on the same night as Cesc Fabregas in a League Cup tie. He understudied England’s Ashley Cole for a couple of seasons, and became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal in 2004 at 18 years and 10 months. After Cole left for Chelsea in 2006 he emerged as one of the mainstays of Arsene Wenger’s side despite being hampered with injuries. He arrived at City with a justified reputation as one of the finest left-backs in Europe having been part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ squad that went through the 2003-0404 Premier League season unbeaten in all 38 matches.
His pace and anticipation, allied to an ability & willingness to get up and down the pitch made him one of Arsenal’s most consistent defenders and this this has not changed since joining City. Ever willing to support an attack, Clichy’s unselfish overlapping runs and great positional awareness made him the club’s first choice left back ahead of wantaway Aleks Kolarov.
An understated but reliable performer, he has become a mainstay in the meanest defence the Premier League has seen over the past two seasons.
Focus On…Matija Nastasić
Focus On…Gareth Barry
Focus On…Jack Rodwell
UPCOMING DATES for Your Filofax
all times East Manchester BST
Mo 8 Jul First Team Training Starts
We 10 Jul Squad Depart for South Africa
Sa 14 Jul 14h00 Supersport United, Nelson Mandela Football Invitational, Pretoria
Th 18 Jul 19h00 AmaZulu FC, Nelson Mandela Football Invitational, Durban
We 24 Jul TBC South China, Barclays Asia Trophy, Hong Kong
Sa 27 Jul TBC Spurs/ Sunderland, Barclays Asia Trophy, Hong Kong
We 31 Jul 17h15 AC Milan, Audi Cup 2013, Munich, Allianz Arena
Th 1 Aug TBC Bayern Munich/ Sao Paulo, Audi Cup 2013, Munich, Allianz Arena
Sa 10 Aug TBC City vs Arsenal, Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Sa 17 Aug 15h00 Newcastle United, The Etihad
Sa 24 Aug 15h00 Cardiff City, Cardiff City Stadium
Th 29 Aug 12h00 Champions League Group Stage Draw, Monaco
Sa 31 Aug 23h59 Summer Transfer Window Closes
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