Buffon justifies City snub

(GSM) – Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has claimed that he made the right decision in turning down a move to Manchester City, questioning whether they have what it takes to even finish in the top four of the Premier League.

The Bianconeri veteran was strongly linked with a move to City in March of this year, but moved quickly at the time to strenuously deny having any interest in a transfer to Eastlands.

And the Italy international, who has established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers over the past decade, revealed that it was not the first time he has rebuffed an approach from City.

“I knew of Manchester City’s interest in me a couple of years ago and, while I was never close to signing, I can now see that I made the right decision,” he told the Daily Star Sunday.

And while Buffon recognises the wealth of attacking talent at Roberto Mancini’s disposal, he believes a lack of quality in defence may restrict City’s ability to compete with Europe’s best.

“They have signed some great players but I get the feeling they are signing great players for the sake of signing them,” Buffon said. “Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Yaya Toure and a few others would make it into any squad in the world.

“But they don’t have one defender that would even get near the Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United team. Great teams are always built from the back and I am really surprised they are not trying to do that, considering their coach is an Italian.”

“Whenever I have been successful for either club or country it’s because I have had great defenders in front of me, players like Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro.

“Without defenders of that quality I would not have won what I have won. If they don’t sign at least two world-class defenders before the transfer window shuts, I am not sure they will even make a top four finish, let alone win the Premier League.

But Buffon admitted that if Mancini does move to strengthen City’s backline, they could be a force to be reckoned with. “They have so much quality there now that, if they sign these defenders, I think they can make a real impact.”