Dunne plea to Distin

Chris Bailey

October 13, 2006

Richard Dunne

RICHARD Dunne has pleaded with central defensive partner Sylvain Distin to remain at City.

The Blues skipper believes the two of them have such a good understanding and working relationship that it might be a waste to break up the partnership as they each enter their prime.

"I want him to stay here and I have been at him for months," said the Republic of Ireland man as he collected the Thomas Cook City player-of-the-month award for September.

"We work well together and I think our strengths complement each other's game. When you go away like I did with Ireland last week you notice a central defensive partnership doesn't just click.

"Sylvain could probably have the opportunity to move away but that doesn't necessarily mean it is a good thing. You can go out and play on your own and sometimes you do not look the same player that you did in a partnership.

"Perhaps it needs both of us together to make it look like we are decent players."

Former Paris St Germain and Newcastle man Distin is in the final year of his contract and so is entitled to begin negotiating with other clubs in January ahead of a free exit next summer under the Bosman Ruling.

Middlesbrough and Portsmouth both showed interest in the 28-year-old former club captain in the last transfer window, but Distin chose to remain with City and leave a four-year contract that would have made him the club's highest earner on the table.

The paperwork is still there waiting and Dunne is hoping it will be signed, saying: "I don't know what is happening with him but I hope he stays.

"All City players and the fans who genuinely want us to do well would realise that we want him to stay. Obviously it is his option whether he does or not, but I would have thought he had enough things here at City to help him get where he wants to."

Should City fight to keep Distin? Have your say.

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transfer pundit, Stockport (13/10/2006 at 09:44)

YES! without question. The partnership between Distin & Dunne has been City's strongest for a long time. Distin is one of few naturally left-footed defenders in that position in the league or indeed in Europe. Having said that I feel that Distin will inevitably leave on a Bosman in summer, after having helped us(hopefully) to having a decent season.

True Blue, Galway,Ireland. (13/10/2006 at 09:52)

elliot, Newcastle (13/10/2006 at 10:01)

i would really like distin to stay but i cant see him signing a new contract and am sure he will leave for free in the summer

Simon Brown, London, UK (13/10/2006 at 10:04)

"I want him to stay here and I have been at him for months" - this is the difference between Dunne & Distin - it's also the reason why Dunne is now the captain. Richard Dunne feels tremendous loyalty towards the club that brought him back from the brink. To give Distin credit, he's never got himself into the kind of position where he needed the club to help him as much as Dunne did, but as a consequence he won't feel that kind of kinship with City. It's not his fault obviously. Distin must be wondering what he needs to do to get in the French team and that will be nagging at him. If he wanted to get in at all costs he'd have moved in the summer or just turned the contract down flat. The fact that the contract is still on the table is probably because Silvain would rather achieve his goals and stay at City but in the current climate... you have to be playing for a "big" club who play in Europe. If we qualify for the Uefa cup this year he'll probably stay. If we don't he probably won't. It's a shame but it's also testament to a sensible, if dour, transfer policy where we're not spending beyond our means. It pays off in the long run because the club doesn't go out of business but in the short-term it does mean we thrash about in mid-table a bit.

Ian Hunter, Bury (13/10/2006 at 10:05)

He has been a good and loyal servant for the club for around 180 games and 4.5 years. He deserves more plaudits from the fans than he gets. The fans need to make him feel more welcome. If we show him our support then maybe we can hang on to him.

Gareth, Reddish (13/10/2006 at 10:12)

Definitely. He's one of the best centre-halves around and the understanding with Dunne is worth far more than the sum of its parts. People can bleat on about 'loyalty' all they want but we have to give top players reasons to stay. Otherwise, in 2 years time instead of reading about Distin's contract wrangles it'll be 'Richards contract wrangles'.

Pie, Suffolk (13/10/2006 at 10:42)

No need to waste our time and effort trying to get Distin to stay. There is no way that he will be with us next season.
He can go for free and line his pockets. I have been a City / football fan for 30 years and love the club. He is an employee not a fan and if roles were reversed 99% of us would do exactly what he is doing. It is the transfer system that creates these situations which players find difficult to ignore.
We are not the first to lose a quality player this way and will not be the last. SP and the Club knows the score, why else would you take the captains armband away (although I would have had Dunnie as Captain anyway). We are being kept in the quiet about his plans so we don't get on his back any more that we have. I bet a deal has been done whether at Middlesborough or elsewhere.

J the EL, Manchester (13/10/2006 at 10:55)

hmmmm i smell a rat.
not being funny, would've loved silvery to be playing footie at boro now.
well so would he, he'd have been earning more..
ball & bat!

J the EL, Manchester (13/10/2006 at 10:58)

simon brown,
you mean a big club like bolton???
nico anelka...

Daz, Sharston (13/10/2006 at 11:25)

would be very surprised if he's wearing a city shirt come the 1st game of next season. I think the only thing that MIGHT keep him at city is if we were to qualify for europe. So i wouldnt hold my breath. Its a shame because him and Dunne have got an excellent partnership but i think next season it will be Richards not Distin alongside Dunne.

Anthony, Plymouth ex Denton (13/10/2006 at 12:01)

If Distin wants to get into the French team, he doesnt have to leave City.

Chris, Northwich (13/10/2006 at 12:02)

A great player and although he has his critics there aren't that many central defenders in the prem I would swap him for. Still yet to see him lose out in a ONE on ONE. Everyone needs to get behind him and with a bit of luck he will remain with us. If not then I guess Micah Richards is perfect to take his place.

Anthony, Plymouth ex Denton (13/10/2006 at 12:10)

If Distin wants to get into the French team he doesn't have to leave City. I believe that the reason that he doesn't get selected for France is not because of his defensive qualities- we all know that he is an exceptional defender(except when gets caught out of postion or trys to be fancy and goofs up). I really believe that Distin does not get selected because of his distribution. He seems to just lump the ball forward in the air and doesnt show much vision to pick a pass or distributie with any meaningful quality. So I predict that Distin will not get selected for France even if he moves to a "bigger club" unless he improves this part of his game. I hope he stays, but fear that money will talk and like all footballers- they seem to have pound signs in their eyes.

Chris, Davyhulme (13/10/2006 at 12:27)

If he is going which looks likely I think Micah will eventually be a good replacement, however it would be foolish not to bring in an experienced centre half to help cover and to teach...maybe a slightly older ex international player who fancies a season or 2 in the EPL. Jan would be a good time to start looking for a few bosmans.

Frank Clarke's guitar tutor, corner of city dressing room (13/10/2006 at 12:30)

Man City players and management are the greatest publicists in football. I am sure they use local media to justify themselves and there fellow players. Fact: City this season have amongst the bottom third goals conceded in the premiership and there are only seven clubs in the PL that have a worst goals against than us. We rarely keep a clean sheet and Distin tends to go to sleep during games and Dunne cannot turn. I would swap him for a lot of other PL centre half's especially those that have conceded less goals than us. There are a lot of good centre half's out there - we should have bought Lescott from wolves he was excellent last week at Everton. Also W.Brom have a very good up and coming centre half I think his name is Curtis Davis but may be wrong. Distin and Dunne are not the be end and end all- even if there agents think they are!!!!

Jim, Furness Vale (13/10/2006 at 12:34)

Yeah, he's a good player but if he wants to go he owes it to the club to let them know ASAP, so we can find a replacement. If we keep hold of Micah then he could replace him or try for van Buyten again who at least is a goal scoring centre back, which is something we also need.

Gorton Blue, Gorton (13/10/2006 at 12:41)

Pie, Suffolk - I hear your argument 99% would do what he is doing - i don't go fot it. 99% of us would go for a higher paid job BUT 99% of us are not already multi millionaires. If Distain is Happy and he should be then money is not an issue - he is not trying to take his family off the breadline. So i'm afraid its bread and butter - if he goes then he has taken the mick out of MCFC and will get no respect from me AND hopefully his teamates and manager.

JMU, Oldham (13/10/2006 at 12:47)

Would love him to stay, but like he will move on, Dunney meet your new partner he's called Micah Richards.

Simsim, Finland (13/10/2006 at 13:01)

It's about time someone like Dunne goes public about Distin. I don't care what you say folks but together they make the best pair of defenders in the Premiership at the moment and we are so fortunate to have them. They already had that understanding a few seasons back. Distin has to have a very good reason to leave, Middlesboro or some other club like that isn't good enough.

Moonbeams Lovechild, Planet Zog (13/10/2006 at 13:36)

If he hasn't signed by now, he'll definately go in January.....No problem, we've got plenty of cover in Onuha and Richards......Use the cash to get a quality creative midfielder to bounce off Barton.

Robinio, Stretford (not scum - formerly Withington) (13/10/2006 at 13:37)

As we know from the past it is very difficult to get a good centre half partnership. Do all to keep him. Anyway, I don't see many MASSIVE clubs queuing up for him (Middleboro ?)

Jon, Here (13/10/2006 at 13:45)

I think we all want him to stay. I doubt very much that it will depend on us qualifying for Europe as he can start talks in Jan, and we wont know if we have Qualified by them will we.... so thats a load of tosh!!!Cant see Midds comin in for him as they have bought Huth and Probs go for Woodgate!!Portsmouth, wont keep their form going all season...so i doubt he will go that way unless they offer stupid money to him!!I think we should take the positives from that he has not rejected the contract flat out..and he is wanting to make sure he makes the right choice come the end of the season, which makes me think there is a good chance he wil stay!!Come on you blues!!

Danny, Wilmslow (13/10/2006 at 13:50)

Sylvain Distin is the best defender at the club by a mile. Any City fan who genuinely thinks we would be better of without him has no idea about the game. In footballing terms we would find it near on impossible to replace him. Without doubt one of the best central defenders in the premiership and a huge player for City, his partnership with Dunne may be the difference between a bad season and an average season. If City really want to be fighting it out near the top of the division then Distin must stay. Simple as that.

Big Blue Doris, Manchester (13/10/2006 at 14:01)

Am I missing something or do we have the worst away record in the Premier League?
We have let in 10 goals this season so where is this fantastic understanding that Dunne suggests exists???
If Distin wants to go let him. All I want is players that want to play for City and consistantly.
Dont get to carried away with your own press Richard at best you and Distin are better than average.

Chris, Cheadle (13/10/2006 at 14:17)

Chris, Northwich. You were not at the Wigan game last year then... Jason Roberts tore him apart

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