Trevor Sinclair, Manchester City’s former England midfielder, and Stephen Jordan will be released by The Blues at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old Sinclair joined City in July 2003 from West Ham in a £2.5m and has played in 79 games, scoring 6 goals – including two memorable strikes in Derby wins at The City of Manchester Stadium.
Sinclair said: ‘After sitting down to discuss my situation this week with the Manager, we have agreed that I will not be staying at City once the season ends and I will be looking for a new challenge in my football career.
‘I have enjoyed my time at City enormously and have fulfilled my boyhood dream of playing for the Club I have always supported. I’d like to thank all the staff and fans and wish them all the best for next season.
‘I have not played as much as I would have liked recently and I am excited by the thought of a new challenge which will give me the opportunity to play more regularly as I feel I can continue to play in the Premier League for at least another couple of years, if not longer.’
25-year-old defender Jordan, a product of the Club’s Youth Academy who made his senior debut for City against Bolton in April 2003, has not appeared for the first team since he produced a terrible display in the home defeat to Blackburn in January.
Jordan started 56 games for the Blues, mostly at left back although he occasionally filled in at centre-half.
Blues boss Stuart Pearce said: ‘Stephen will be released at the end of the season, along with various younger members of the squad. Both Stephen and Trevor have served the Club very well down the years, we’re sorry to see them go and we wish them well for the future.’
The release of neither player comes as a surprise. Sinclair`s career at City has been blighted by injury and his performances have been beyond ineffective this season when called upon. Jordan has been usurped by the arrival of Michael Ball in the left back spot. Ball`s performances have blown anything that Jordan has ever produced for the club out of the water.
Other areas of the squad may also be set for a change. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all said to be mulling over a bid for England defender Micah Richards. The player claims to be very happy at the club however, so it`s unlikely any move will occur this summer.
After his infamous one sided boxing match with Ousmane Dabo, Joey Barton is also set for a move should a club activate his £5.5 million release clause. Everton and Sunderland lead the chase in England, whilst Celtic are reportedly keeping a watchful eye on developments across the border. Dabo himself is also looking for a transfer away from the club after being told by Stuart Pearce he does not feature in his future plans. Dabo has been a big disappointment since signing from Lazio last summer on a Bosman free transfer and looks likely to move back to France.
Of the other out of contract first teamers, Hatem Trabelsi will leave the club along with young French winger Djamel Abdoun whose loan from Ajacco will not be made permanent as I understand. Nicky Weaver`s contract also expires this summer, although he is likely to ink a 1 year contract with City as his options elsewhere in the Premiership do not equate to the starting spot he desires. The Sylvain Distin situation is well documented and he will be mulling over his options once the current season finishes.
Danny Mills will once again be searching for a football club to take over his contract and wages this summer. Mills still has another 2 seasons on his City contract and is proving difficult for the club to shift. Bernardo Corradi`s ill fated City career will be over if a buyer can be found. Old stagers Paul Dickov and Dietmar Hamann may also be sent elsewhere after producing very little this season.
Reserve team captain Nathan D`Laryea will also be leaving the club in the summer. He will be joining Macclesfield Town. D`Laryea can consider himself unlucky. This season he has easily been as good as Matthew Mills and has outshone him on plenty of occasions. But as money was spent on Mills, D`Laryea is the fall guy. Other youngsters likely to leave the club in the summer include ‘keeper Laurence Mathewson, left back Sam Williamson, midfielders Ashley Williams and Mark Laird, along with forward Ashley Grimes.
Pearce also clarified his position over DaMarcus Beasley, currently nearing the end of a season-long loan from PSV Eindhoven.
‘At the moment we are talking with PSV in respect to his future, the price tag might be a sticking point but we are still discussing that.’
In recent weeks, Beasley has shown great improvement, maybe due to him coming to terms with the demands of the Premiership. He provides an option that no other player in the squad does and has turned in some MOM performances over the last month. The player is very much worth keeping but only at the right price. Anything around the £1 million mark would be reasonable or maybe even another season long loan depending on other interested parties. After spending a year getting the player used to the English style of football, it would be stupid to lose him just as he is coming to terms with it.
Emile Mpenza signed a new contract with the club which keeps him here for another season at least. Mpenza has established himself as City`s number 1 striker in less than 3 months of being at the club. Fellow January addition Michael Ball has also signed a 2 year deal which will be announced by the club soon. Promising full back Shaleum Logan recently agreed a new 1 year contract and he will look to break into the first team next season. Logan is an attacking full back with great pace who reminds me a lot of a young Ashley Cole. He can play on both the left and the right which will stand him in good stead.
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