Mancehster City Sign Gareth Barry: the Perfect Match

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Manchester City have moved decisively today, signing Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for a reported £12m.

Now that seems like very good value for a current England international at the peak of his footballing prowess.

The press are already running out the standard stories of Barry having made a bad decision and only being interested in money.

A top-four club could offer him Champions League, and Villa are in Europe in the less glamorous Europa League, but European football is, apparently the be-all and end-all.

It is likely that the decisive factor in moving to City is the World Cup in 2010.

Playing for City means that he is far more likely to play regular, first team football, which is to be undeniably important to Capello when he picks the squad for South Africa.

The fact that City are not in Europe is also likely to be seen as a positive as well.

Villa will have to play many more games than City with injuries more likely for their tired players; that's a risk not worth taking when the vastly more important national squad is in the mix.

And are Villa actually going to get any where near the final of a competition they seemingly don't value?

So Barry has signed for the right club, at the right time in his career, and apparently at a very good price.

Next stop Carlos Tevez?

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