Left is right for Logan

Chris Bailey

July 21, 2007

SHALEUM Logan is on track to be the latest Premiership player to roll off City's production line.

The 20-year-old defender has four more warm-up matches, including today against Carlstad, to prove he is worth a start against West Ham on August 11.

His cause is helped by the fact that regular left-back Michael Ball will be suspended for the opening two matches of the season, a legacy of his red card against United in last May's derby.

At present there are no other left-sided players among the senior squad, while Logan has played on both flanks at reserve team level.

It is a point not be lost on boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who watched with admiration as Logan produced a Man of the Match performance as a right-sided midfielder against Orgryte IS on Wednesday.

"Shaleum is normally a right or left-back, but I think that he did very, very well and he impressed me," confirmed the manager, after Logan had scored one and made one in the 4-1 win over the Swedes.

"He's yet another Academy player who looks at home, both in training and during matches.

"I've seen a lot of him in the last 10 days and he's looked sharp. I like him very much.

"He is very versatile, which could be useful for us."

City wind up their successful mini-tour of Sweden today, and will welcome new Brazilian Geovanni when they return to Carrington on Monday. The former Benfica midfielder will wear the No 8 shirt vacated by Joey Barton.

Eriksson is determined that the Blues will get the best out of the 27-year-old, saying: "He's an extremely big talent and we hope that we can develop him further."

Geovanni is likely to make his debut in the friendly against Belgian side Charleroi next Saturday. The Blues then play Shrewsbury at the New Meadow (August 1), and wrap up their pre-season preparations at home to Valencia (August 4).

Meanwhile, the squad will discover a new-look Carrington when they return, with £250,000 of improvements.

The gym has had a refit and an extension, while a plunge pool has been installed to help offset muscle injuries.

Is Logan worth a try at left back? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (77) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

patrick/sweden, vasteras/sweden (21/07/2007 at 09:25)

Here in Varberg he has been outstanding.Now we are looking forward to todays game against Carlstad United.

celf, hazel grove (21/07/2007 at 09:32)

im sure sun will get the nod at left back.

albatross, bury (21/07/2007 at 09:36)

I'm a massive fan of playing the younger players and building a formidable team spirit. I would start Micah, Nedum and Michael Johnson this season (and be happy to play Ireland if we can't bring in any more reinforcements), but Logan hasn't had enough experience and should only be played in emergencies for now IMO. Off on holidays now for two weekes sat on the beach in the rain! AND access to City info. will be one newspaper a day - torture!

kevin cairns, morecambe (21/07/2007 at 09:41)

Yes he is! It looks like he is a good promising young player that is very quick! He could do as well as Richards and Johnson

rallyman, Greater Manchester (21/07/2007 at 10:05)

if the manager is happy with him then so am i.

Prestwich Blue (21/07/2007 at 10:17)

Will be a useful addition to first team squad. We don't need to off-load him or make a decision on him until the first team additions are completed (which it looks like won't be in this window), so we are in the nice position of nurturing his talents even further.

Reidus, Sheffield (21/07/2007 at 10:23)

is he left or right footed?

Dribble, Manchester (21/07/2007 at 10:26)

He's worth a go at left back, but should we rely on him with no back up until January, what if something happens to Ball? He's untried at Prem level, but in Sven I trust!!!! Logan's had rave reviews in the reserves and to be honest Sven has seen more of him the last 14 days than I've seen since he's been at City, so I'll trust his gut feeling on this 1.

Also I'd like Sven to choose Logon's best position & develop him there, I don't really like this "he can play at right/left back or right/left midfield" business. It's great having a player with versatility, but let's ascertain his best position 1st & develop him there & at some point in the future or if needs necessitate, try him in other possible positions.

30 years of pain, Lowestoft (21/07/2007 at 10:54)

I understand he has been playing left back, so where is the problem it is better to have a round peg in a round hole. Only other player who could possibly play there is Sun Jihai. Alternatively get out the cheque book and buy one.

bluefield, chesterfield (21/07/2007 at 11:28)

He's worth a go, but I wouldn't be surprised to see another left sided defender signed before the West Ham game. Oh and Sven, when are the big new signings arriving?.

mark, stretford (21/07/2007 at 12:04)

shaleums gonna shine this season,just watch him put twinkle toes in his pocket.

Paul Nolan.....Super Leeeeeds, Manchester (21/07/2007 at 12:08)

Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear,.....It looks as though City are NOT going to buy big as I said afew weeks back.

WE ARE LEEEEEEEEDS

Dinger, Aberdeen (21/07/2007 at 12:09)

re Bluefield; I would imagine that moves shall be made in the transfer market,once Sven returns home from Sweden.It would not be ideal at the moment,being where he is.

Manc Through and Through, Withington (21/07/2007 at 12:34)

What timing for this lad! Sven will make him a good player.

blue bins (21/07/2007 at 12:35)

oh well, me thinks however we will still be spending a few more quid than the super, super leeds united.
r.i.p leeds united. west yorkshire sunday league champs 2011

blue bins (21/07/2007 at 12:36)

oh dear, oh dear

Olivers Blue Army, Earby, Lancashire (21/07/2007 at 12:40)

We'll be buying a hell of a sight bigger players than the 'mighty' Leeds will be, lests put it that way! At this point Leeds can't afford to pay the players they've got! They can have Dickov on loan... don't worry Paul... we'll pay his wages.... te he...!

Like my man Chuck Berry i got the blues, London (21/07/2007 at 12:53)

if he can be as creative at fullback as he was on the wing against Orgryte (1 assist and goal) then i think he'll have a good first season

Happyblue, Failsworth (21/07/2007 at 12:53)

Paul Nolan we've spent more on our training ground than Leeds will spend for the next 5 years make comments when your crappy club can pay it's players, who earn less than a paper boy,so be quiet you little wimpit.

Darren Preece (21/07/2007 at 13:01)

Mr Nolan

I bet we end up spending more than Leeds this season...

Maybe Ken Bates could ask our chairman for a loan ?

Edski Vega, Nottingham (21/07/2007 at 13:05)

I don't think the first game of the season is right to start a youngster because West Ham will go all out to try and win. He could play as a sub but the pace will be much faster than anything he has ever experienced. We have seen so many times in the past when a youngster makes a mistake and their confidence plummets.... that is one of the reasons all our youth players over the past few years have been given time (sub apps) to settle in and not rushed through. I think the same is true for Danny Sturridge.

Jay (21/07/2007 at 13:20)

LMAO, ive had to bump this from the last topic because something needs to be said:

Quote:

Oh crikey.. I think Blue John is actually right as things stand. The squad AS IT STANDS TODAY is weaker. Nedum and Micah are only kids still learning the game as is Michael Johnson. Ireland has yet to prove himself too so I'm afraid that as of 21/07 BJ is right. HOWEVER, I will be amazed if Sven lets us drift into the season in this state and I am expecting signings to follow of proven ability. If not then I think we will indeed struggle!

Jerry, Whalley Range., Manchester
21/07/2007 at 11:37

Now me:

This is totally pathetic.

1. we lost "pain in the *" Barton, we now have a proven talent far better in Gelson Fernandes & Geovanni Gomez.

2. New Defender to be signed soon but on that note we still have Dunne/Ball/Richards/Onuoha/M Mills/Sun.

3. We now Have a full season of Mpenza, New signing Bianchi, expect another signing.

Concluding with 1 new defender 2 wingers but be patient, there aint many about, 1 Midfielder & possibly 1 more Striker.

Now tell me the squad is weaker & i will continue to call you deluded & pathetic & laugh it off.

We will be in europe soon, mark my words.

CTID

ho chee fatt (21/07/2007 at 13:21)

looks like guily and benayoun were pivotal in sven's rebuilding. now that we have lost them to other so called bigger clubs, and the fact that we may also lose the signing of petrov to spurs - this may have disrupted sven's plans to bring in 5 more new signings. as such he may need to up his bids for future targets which may then hurt our budget. frankly guily, benayoun and petrov would have been ideal for us as this would have given us the much needed creativity and wing play that we so dearly missed the last season.

Edski Vega, Nottingham (21/07/2007 at 13:23)

S P In exile, Tameside (21/07/2007 at 13:29)

Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear,.....Just remind me where are Leeds playing next season..........OH!!!! yes two leagues below us which is where they belong....

()

Report

Manchester City