James set to leave City

Chris Bailey

August 07, 2006

David James

CITY appear to have lost the battle to hold on to their England keeper David James.

He played no part in the two games on the tour to China and is expected to switch to Portsmouth this week - lured by the prospect of a three-year contract.

Unless there is a rapid change of heart, it will leave manager Stuart Pearce searching for an experienced keeper on the eve of the season and could mean a golden opportunity for the injury-jinxed Nick Weaver.

"Portsmouth have been in contact with the club," was all Pearce would say on the matter, though it is understood a firm bid has yet to be made. If Weaver is in goal in the final warm-up game against FC Porto on Saturday, then it will be an emotional return for the 27-year-old who has more than 175 appearances under his belt.

With only teenagers Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel as back-up, Pearce is sure to bring in another keeper should James leave.

Swede Andreas Isaksson is a confirmed target. He would cost around é2.5m from French side Rennes.

Pompey also remain in the hunt for Sylvain Distin. He pulled out of the opening day victory over Shanghai Shenhua with a sore hamstring, but was in the side that completed the tour against Kashima Antlers last night.

How big a blow would it be to lose James at this point? Have your say.

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Ben, Prestwich (07/08/2006 at 09:08)

2 million for a 35 yr old is good money , he has done really well and been really steady and saved us so many times , he has been superb but it buisness thanks and good luck, it may reduce wage bill to get Melbranque !!

Steve, Manchester (07/08/2006 at 09:17)

Appear to have lost there battle? Do you mean Pompy have asked to speak to him and nothing else has happened?

SP has already explained that Jamo didn't play as Hart needs the experience and he's right.

I want Jamo to stay as he's a quality 'keeper, what ever money we'd get for him we'd have to spend replacing him anyway so it can't be about the money for us.

I'd love to see Weaver back, but he's been away from top flight football for so long that I don't know if he's ready. (Even though I believe he's the longest serving player at the club? Won't it be his testomonial soon?)

Anyway, it's a wait and see game as always. But I'd hate to see him go.

JS, Town (07/08/2006 at 09:17)

Isakkson is 26, a current international and and seems keen to join City. Whilst he's always done a decent job for the Blues, James is 36, a former international and wants to join Harry Redknapp's merry band of honest and true footballers who are in it for the love of the game and not money(!). No brainer really.

s mitchell, cheshire (07/08/2006 at 09:17)

Would not be that much of a loss let the other keepers have a chance what's the point in having them otherwise, get casper in goal he does it in reserve team lets see him in first team action

Jack Thorley, Timperley (07/08/2006 at 09:19)

David James holds the record for the most cleansheets in the Premiership,yet despite this commendable record,his tenure at City has never endeared him to the fans.You would not blame him if he left for a longer contract, at his age its a good deal.In Joe Hart we have a young and very good prospect wether he is capable of performing before premiership size crowds is a gamble that Stuart Pearce can not take with the transfer window closing rapidly.

Ollie, Guernsey (07/08/2006 at 09:19)

For me it is a no brainer. We sell James who is 36 and has one year left on his contract for 2m and buy Isaksson who is 25 6 foot 6 a current international for 2.5m. Isaksson was due to sign for Charlton but delayed signing when he heard of City's interest. He has publicly stated that he is waiting for our offer. This would be a great bit of business. There must be some truth in it with both James and Isaksson not being played at the moment.

Charlie, Macc (07/08/2006 at 09:22)

Andreas Isaksson is reportedly one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. only 24/25 years old and is Sweedish No1. if he will only cost 2.5 million from Rennes and Pompey are prepared to pay 2 million for James then its a deal. I would be sorry to see James go & a replacement like Isaksson would be needed as Weaver is not good enough & Hart is good but too young.

pablo, bikini bottom (07/08/2006 at 09:23)

will be a blow, if Jane goes. But will prove a good business in the long run. James could not go on for ever and to get ??2M for him plus his 30k aweek, sounds good to me, Bring in the Swede,

Mick, Hopeless (07/08/2006 at 09:27)

Excellent! Isaaksson to replace him. Here's hoping to move out more of our mid thirties antiques for some more mid twenty players!

P'boro Blue, ex Levenshulme (07/08/2006 at 09:30)

Can't argue the logic of going for a younger player . However I am bit disappointed that so few fans acknowledge what he has done for us. Without him we would have been relegated at least once in the last 3 seasons. OK he drops the occassinal b-llock but over a season he is worth every penny. Also with a mute Captain as one of our centre halves thank god Jamo was there shouting and organising the defence.

Dave Bear, Home (07/08/2006 at 09:31)

Losing DJ would be a very sad day - a good keeper and moreover an example to JB and the youngsters on how to behave - wish him well but hope he sees out his career with us

Alan Ballzer, football genius (07/08/2006 at 09:32)

It sounds like the deal has been sorted already, I've read that the Swedish No 1 goalie is stalling on signing for Charlton because he wants to speak to city. If we can sign a 25 year old current international as a replacement for a 36 year old ex England player for a similar fee then it would be good business. Also David James clearly doesn't want to play for us anymore and it sounds like Isaksson does. Time to get rid of DJ, he's been good for us but ta tah.

frank clarke's guitar tutor, corner of city dressing room (07/08/2006 at 09:34)

Best transfer news all summer. James was making far too many mistakes, was often beaten at his near post and well past his best. To be offered 2 m for a 36 yr old with one year remaining is a joke and city are laughing all the way to the bank. Thank you Harry. Believe me James will be an embarressment this season.

Mike, Ashton (07/08/2006 at 09:38)

He's a quality prem keeper but 2m for someone of his age is too much to turn down. Get Isakkson for the same money who is younger and has potential to be as good. Apparently Charlton want him but is waiting for us to come in for him before he makes a final decision.

dylan, Chelmsford (07/08/2006 at 09:42)

If Pompey pay 2 mill its good business. DJ is 36 and will play at the top for another 2-3 seasons due to his superb physical condition. I will be sorry to see him go. DJ hs been in great form for the blues and is a true world class keeper on his day. Ok he loses concentration at times but at other times he is like a cat in our goal. Thanks for some great saves DJ and good luck in the future.

Goater's Lovechild, Bolton (07/08/2006 at 09:46)

I'm gutted. Jamo was top class last season, and anyone who's citing his mistakes is judging him on reputation rather than performance. It'll be a BIG mistake to sell.

Topsixfinish, Dreamland (07/08/2006 at 09:46)

Ollie, Guernsey - spot on. Isaksson is top drawer, 10 years younger and will probably be cheaper in terms of wages. 2 mil for James, who barring the defeat at Tottenham was average at best last year (no real clangers but when did you ever see him make any top drawer saves?) and at his age would be outstanding business.

J lanigan, Didsbury (07/08/2006 at 09:56)

This is not good news. Whatever he might do for England, James has been outstanding for the blues, and was instrumental in helping us stay up when he first joined us. Save for one error at the end of last season at Blackburn I cannot think of any other goal fro which he has been responsible. I dread the thought of Weaver in goal. People need to think back to his error strewn season in the Premiership and then under Keegan when he was displaced by Nash. If we are to sell, which I hope we do not then we need a quality replacement immediately. This is one of the key positions.

Anthony, Plymouth ex Denton (07/08/2006 at 10:01)

I personally would feel saddened if Jamo left us. He is a quality keeper, has NEVER let us down, commands the defence remarkably, is a massive presence on the park (and probably in the dressing room as well) is a model pro (and seemingly a clever bloke). Good luck Jamo if you do leave us, but please stay!

ninja, eccles (07/08/2006 at 10:01)

If the swede is so good and available why is Redknapp trying to sign James from us when he could be offering the money to Rennes himself?

Phil, Sheffield (07/08/2006 at 10:02)

What's this about James making loads of errors? For England maybe, but not for City. David James has been an excellent goalkeeper for City, and was instrumental in keeping us up in 2003/2004 after the Seaman debacle. He commands his box, is good on crtosses and is a very good shot-stopper. I'd sooner we keep him. That said, if Isaksson, has all those attributes, then it would make good sense to allow Jamo to go and bring the Swedish keepr in. If James goes, then thanks and best of luck to him.

Mr Blue, Manchester (07/08/2006 at 10:04)

Sell him. Great keeper, great servant. but we win all ends up! Young keeper desperate to play for us, same transfer fee, half the wages, 10 years playing time?? No call to make. Jamo has been superb for us and saved us a lot. Still represents good and sensible business.

Sam Haggar, Lowestoft (07/08/2006 at 10:07)

Who will be the blaon of losing DJ is it pearce or John Waldle

Jimmy, Blue in Bolton (07/08/2006 at 10:11)

David James has been a great keeper for City and it'll be a shame to see him go. Nevertheless, he is getting on a bit and if we can get a good deal for him then hey, roll with the changes. Just as long as we can get a top quality replacement before the season starts we'll be ok.

Al, Macc (07/08/2006 at 10:14)

Sounds like good business for City and for DJ. 3 year contract at 36. That's brilliant. ??2m for a 36 y old in last year of contract. Fantastic. Let him go.

I know nothing about the Swede but everyone on here seems to rate him. I guess it means Nicky Weaver is consigned to being a second choice keeper from now on. Hart or Scmichel (how do you spell that?) should overtake him in a year or 2. Would he not be better moving on too? If only to get a game.

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