What is the point of Man City signing De Rossi?

It feels like every other day that Manchester City is linked with signing Roma’s Daniele De Rossi. It is a story that is quickly becoming boring, but of more irritancy is the question why? What is the point of signing De Rossi?

The Premier League Champions already have a squad jam packed full of talented central midfielders. Yaya Toure is one of the best in the business, Barry is consistently effective, and James Milner is a bundle of energy if ever required to play infield rather than out wide. On top of the tried and tested City also acquired the services of Jack Rodwell, for £15m, and Javi Garcia, for £16m, in the summer. Both midfielders are of an age that suggests a lengthy innings at the club could be achieved. So why on earth do they need De Rossi?

There is no doubting that De Rossi is a quality player. He is for Roma what Lampard is to Chelsea, what Gerrard is toLiverpooland what Phil Mitchell is to Eastenders. That said it would cost City in the region of £30m to prize him away from the Rome club. City would also have to bare in mind that only two players in the Italian league earn more in wages, those being Wesley Sneijder and Gianluigi Buffon. De Rossi earns £4.9m plus bonuses a year and would be unlikely to want to take a wage cut to move to Manchester. Money is obviously not a problem for the wealthy Mancunians but, it is a lot of money to pay for a player approaching the latter regions of his career.

I can understand City looking to replace the aging Gareth Barry, but why do it with a 29 year old? Besides I thought that’s what Rodwell and Garcia were bought in for. If Mancini really is looking for a long term replacement then surely Busquets or M’Villa would offer a better and equal quality solution. It is worth remembering too that some of the most high profile names to have made the transition from Italian to English football have struggled, think Veron and Shevchenko. Although having said that the likes of Zola, Vialli, and Desially were huge successes. Whichever category that De Rossi would fall into he wouldn’t have much time to acclimatise.

There is also the concern that De Rossi is struggling for form in Italy this season. A point made no clearer than when he was dropped to the bench by Roma manager Zdenek Zeman. His performances for the Italian national side have been better though. He scored in both ofItaly’s games during the international break.

To me the signing of De Rossi would represent an expensive risk that City doesn’t need to take. There must be more than just a love for De Rossi’s football prowess that is glistening in Mancini’s eyes, because this doesn’t make sense.

Do you think Man City need De Rossi?