QUIET man Javi Garrido reckons the Blues are all geared up to be a big noise in the Premier League.
The only Spaniard in Sven-Goran Eriksson's newly-assembled league of nations admits he is not missing La Liga.
Garrido could have stayed in his homeland as there were plenty of offers when it became clear that Real Sociedad's relegation and dire financial plight meant he had to be sold.
It would have been easy for him to choose a club that he knew, in an area that was familiar where they spoke a language that wasn't alien to him but instead he decided on the challenge of playing with the Blues.
And if Martin Petrov ever gets injured or suspended, watch out for the versatile 22-year-old Garrido putting his hand up to revert to the attacking role that was once his bread and butter. He might even shift across to central defence if pushed.
"I did have a number of offers from other places but two things swayed my mind to agree to come to City," he said. "Sven is a great coach and I know his reputation and I was influenced too by the fact that City were signing a lot of internationals and that was a strong attraction.
"There is no doubt that to play in La Liga is fantastic, it is a great league, but I look at the Premier League and I see how the level has been raised in the last couple of years and that was a factor too.
Culture
"I am not just here for the football either. I want to learn another language and the culture and how to live in England. I am here as part of my education in life and to make new friends. I know I will benefit in many ways from the move."
So far, Garrido has made plenty of new admirers in the stands as he has kept experienced England international defender Michael Ball on the bench for the Premier League games.
He mixes flair with caution, reads the game well but cannot hide from seasoned observers that being a full-back was not his first job in football.
"I started playing in midfield and then the coaches moved me to defence," admitted Garrido who had been at Real Sociedad all his footballing life.
"I have though always played on the left side. Even in Spain the position is a problem with many right footed players having to play out of position. I know I am very lucky to be born with a left foot that can kick a ball.
"Such players are of great value in Spain and England because they are rarer than right-footed ones. I am a player who likes to work hard within the team, to be part of the team. I like to go forward and I believe my greatest strength is as an attacking full-back. Now I want to play my part in helping keep City high in the League."
TICKETS are still available for this Sunday's non-televised home fixture against Middlesbrough. Supporters just need to call 0870 062 1894 or visit the Stadium Box Office to buy seats.
And the Blues are using the game to encourage fans to pledge to get healthy as part of the `Getting Manchester Moving' campaign.
Fans will have the chance before the match to try a range of sports designed to encourage a more active lifestyle.
Getting Manchester Moving is a unique partnership between City, Manchester Public Health Development Service and the City Council.
For more information visit
www.gettingmanchestermoving.org or ring Jane Parker on 0161 438 7720.
What is your verdict on Garrido's start with City? Have your say.
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Top player, been steady since the first game...works hard every week in my opinion.
Javi Garrido has been very good this season so far. He has had doubters, which amazes me as he hasnt put a foot wrong so far. Possibly one of SGE's most shrewed pieces of business. £1.5 million for a very good player is great business in anyone's book.
This guy is another unsung hero. Great left back great signing.
Keep it up Javi lad
He is very impressive. Very solid as a defender and decent on the ball too. Uses it well.
every great team has no nonsense, disciplined, reliable full-backs.
At 1.5million he's not far behind Elano in the bargain buy stakes. No slur on him in any way but after seeing Ball in the Norwich game my granny could keep him out of the "first" team.
a bit dubious of his defensive qualities at first but improves with every game, definately good on the overlap which helps petrov run into space, 1 critism not to quick on the turn
What a bargain, amazing find by Sven and co. The guy is great on the ball, accurate passing and has been improving every match in terms of his defensive positioning. Being so young I can see him playing for City for many years. Bring on M'Boro!
one of the unsung heroes doing his job without fuss whilst Elano,Petrov and Johnson earn the paludits,and at £1.5 million is already proving a shrewd piece of business.
Surprisingly, he's been my favourite signing value for money-wise. I think he's an excellent defender. Let's get a song for him :-)
Good player, nice to know he can play in midfield if Petrov gets injured. One of Svens best buys for me.
Excellent buy. Very underated. Like his attitude. Like others have said he is an absolute steal at the price we paid.
he's thai he's rich he gets on fergies t**s super frank super frank
Looks to be a better player with Ball behind him. Which is handy if we are holding onto a lead. matt fallon, totally agree he does lack a yard of pace on the turn. But all in all at £1.5m for a 22 year old, the plus outway the minus.
at only 1.5m he is one of the snips of the season, but mind u same can be said for the rest of svens purchases.
barnsey-do for me that one-get it going blues!
CTID
A very under rated player who was a bargain. His one negative is that he's not very quick, but can mostly get away with it as he reads the game quite well.
I see Dabo has been linked with Fiorentina . . . . get rid of him ASAP Sven !!
Garrido must be one of the most instrumental buys of the season. And his attitude seems great!
I’ve been really impressed by him, his work rate is fantastic and he never gives up. Vastly underrated, so it seemed – great to see so many folks giving him his due on here. ^_^
really like this guy. had a great start to the season. he's been a bit ropey in the last 2 games. have you noticed though that as the defence began to make mistakes the midfield reacted by attacking with more flair. city play better when we go a goal down.
OH NO!!!!!! Lawro has picked City to win 2-0 v Boro......... There goes our chances of staying in the top 4. What next? Merson to tip us for the title?!
Great jounalism. One story taken from the official podcast and one from the Newcastle programme!
Garrido is fantastic though. His engine is superb and he is never out of position.
Agree he could do with another yard of pace but he reads the game really well and most of the time gets a block in any way .... At £1.5m I reckon he's been our best pound for pound performer so far. Gives us great support on left side of midfield too and talks so sensibly ... obviously don't have Barton-Allardyce schools of football in Spain ... I see Fat Sam is deluded enough to think that City didn't beat Newcastle last week ! Give it up man you're losing the plot !
A bed rock player and a bargain. Reads the EPL better with each passing game and his attitude to education when not in training shows the measure of the lad - he ain't no mug.
He's keeping Michael Ball on the side lines, a player I also rate highly but for different reasons. MB's a physically stronger player and a graduate of the Mike Doyle/Dave Watson school of defensive football - eh Ronaldo?.
Garrido or Ball? It's horses for course really but you've just gotta love this new blue era with so much quality and depth in all sections of the field and at every level of the Club. Bring it on.
Never catches the eye, but has been very solid and dependeable. He's also very comfortable in posession and when passing. A bargain.