A word on John Terry

Man City are continuing their relentless pursuit of John Terry, with crazy figures like £300k per week being mooted in the press, in addition to a possible £30m transfer fee.

Is he worth it? Purely as a player, arguably not. He is 28, increasingly injury prone, and there are whisperings of impending vulnerability. But by signing Terry, Man City get so much more than just a footballer.

They would be buying respect, buying the attention of other clubs, other players… sending out a statement of intent. The best players do want to come here, we can attract the biggest names, we have taken the England captain from the (erstwhile) richest club in the country.

No-one wants to be first – Robinho was their biggest coup, attracting him to a club where he linked with Michael Ball and Darius Vassell down the left. That put them in the spotlight, and allowed them to sign the likes of Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy (in addition to the vast funds of course). That in turn attracted Given, then Barry and Santa Cruz, then Tevez, then Adebayor… The very definition of a multiplier effect.

Terry would take them to the next level. Who do they go for after him?