Mpenza keen to battle for City shirt

Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza has turned down the chance of first-team action elsewhere to stay at Eastlands.

Mpenza: Turned down loan opportunities
Mpenza: Turned down loan opportunities

Belgium international Mpenza, 29, was wanted on loan by a number of Championship clubs for the last few weeks of the season.

Mpenza has started just eight of his 14 Premier League appearances this season, scoring twice, and Leicester were one of the clubs apparently keen to offer him more time on the field.

"There is nothing there for this moment," said City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"He has had a lot of requests but so far he wants to stay. He is under contract, so it is very much up to him if he wants to stay and fight."

Meanwhile, Eriksson expects one of his back-up goalkeepers Andreas Isaksson or Kasper Schmeichel to leave this summer.

Both Isaksson, who has been capped more than 50 times by Sweden, and Schmeichel, currently on loan at Coventry, have played in the top flight for City this season but have been forced onto the sidelines by the form of Joe Hart.

"We haven't spoken about next season and we don't know at this moment what is happening with our goalkeepers," said Eriksson.

"The situation is good as it is, for us, but I can understand that Andreas and Kasper want to play regular football.

"I should be quite surprised if both of them want to stay, I am quite sure that one of them would like to leave."

Post to the Mailbox!

Be the first to post a comment on this story


Character Count : 0/1900





Team News:

Doctor Duncan (Liverpool) : "...Sammy Lee could be a great signing for Liverpool to replace Alex Miller. Sammy is a fluent Spanish speaker and he will help convey Rafa's ideas into "Scouse" English for the home grown players and will also be able to coach the Hispanic players in th..."   view full comment

   

Paper Talk: Reds snub Gerrard offer

Liverpool have turned down a £25million offer from Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan for England midfielder Steven Gerrard.

More from today's press

Potters have Prem survival chance

Stoke clinched promotion from the Championship on Sunday and TEAMtalk's Mark Holmes is already contemplating life in the Premier League.

Read today's Column

smudger8 (Liverpool) : "...Kenwyne Jones just seen at Anfield! - not sure how he'll fit in myself! Crouch defo on his way to Portsmouth - All the best and Talks of Michael Johnson from Man City to join Liverpool!..."   view full rumour

   
Related Team Pages
Related Players

Don't miss these

LATEST PHOTOS FOOTY QUIZ WALLPAPERS
Cristiano Ronaldo strikes early for Man Utd...
Image Image
Go to the Gallery Can you answer
all 10?
Download Wallpaper
 More Stories

Top Searches