Manchester City star Roque Santa Cruz implores Stephen Ireland to stay at Eastlands

26 May 2010 17:23
Roque Santa Cruz has urged Manchester City team-mate Stephen Ireland not to turn his back on the Eastlands club amid mounting speculation over the midfielder's future.[LNB]Ireland has struggled to find his way into the plans of City manager Roberto Martinez following the Italian's arrival midway through last season.[LNB] Should I stay or should I go? Manchester City star Stephen Ireland [LNB]The 23-year-old is just 12 months into a lucrative five-year deal atCity but is reportedly eyeing an exit after failing to reproduce thesparkling form he showed during the 2008/09 campaign.[LNB]However, Paraguay international Santa Cruz believes Ireland still has much to offer the Barclays Premier League club, despite the expected influx of new players this summer.[LNB] Battle: Stephen Ireland clashes with Johnny Heitinga during City's match against Everton in March[LNB]'He is a very nice guy and a fantastic player also, so I think everybody at the club would be very disappointed to see him leaving. He is a great talent,' said Santa Cruz.[LNB]'This season has been hard for him, not finding a starting place in the team, but it is always going to be hard when you are at a team that is always getting new players who start all the time.[LNB]'It is very hard for everyone.'[LNB] Champions League? Forget it! Debt-ridden Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool could face exclusion in future with UEFA set to ratify new financial fair play rulesManchester City need a good right back! Nigel de Jong urges Blues to sign Ajax defender Gregory van der WielMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail