Manchester City: Mark Hughes Working to Secure Foundation

As Manchester City attempt to secure the services of Jo, Ronaldinho and other unnamed targets, Mark Hughes realises that a high player turnover rate in the club could do more harm than good. 

Hughes walked into a job where a number of top players are under the microscope of rival English Premier League clubs. 

Richard Dunne, Michael Johnson and Joe Hart have all been linked to moves away from Eastlands, however Hughes has made a commitment to secure these players' services. 

Reports out of Manchester appear to be optimistic regarding the talks with skipper Richard Dunne.  Rumors suggest that Dunne could be given a salary of roughly £56,000. 

Joe Hart, also linked with a move away from City, has been in negotiations as well.  Hart as been linked with Tottenham of late, as Juande Ramos is looking for a goalkeeping replacement for the out-of-favor Paul Robinson.

The Michael Johnson situation is a bit different, as the young midfielder has been linked with Liverpool seemingly since January.  It's no secret that Rafa Benitez holds Johnson in the highest regard.

Johnson is a young player who is in high demand.  He has battled injuries, but when healthy he has shown his ability to dominate the ball and set the pace of the play.  Hughes is keen on securing Johnson to a long-term deal, but he must be able to stave off the approaches of Liverpool and other suitors. 

Thanksin Shinawatra has made no secret about who he believes is the future of his club, and that is Micah Richards.  He has already placed the "off limits" sign on Richards, who last season signed a five-year deal with the club.  Manchester United and Arsenal have been interested in the young defender, who has shown his ability to be a superstar in football for years to come.

Mark Hughes is also tasked with deciding which players need to be shown the door.  Andreas Isaksson has been very vocal recently of his wishes to leave, but what other players won't be wearing the City shirt next season?

Sun Jihai: Out of contract...thank God.

Geovanni: City's Derby Day hero never could quite secure a first-team spot under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Rolando Bianchi: Returning to City after loan in Italy, should be sold by the start of the season.

Paul Dickov: Still a City legend and a man whom City fans will always owe their gratitude towards has been linked with moves to MLS of late. With age creeping up and nagging injuries, he'll be moved shortly.

Stephen Ireland: Will be at City for the first half of season, perhaps.  But the Irish midfielder has been spastic and inconsistent during his time at Eastlands.  It is wondered where his head really is during a match.  Sunderland were rumored to be interested.  Mark Hughes will give him a chance, but I believe Ireland will likely be playing his football away from City fairly soon. A January move may be the answer.

Andreas Isaksson, Bernardo Corradi, Georgios Samaras, and both of the Mills (Danny and Matthew) are also expected to leave the club.

Times are changing at City, but Mark Hughes is committed to ensuring that the Club's stability never come into question.