'Committed' Robinho vows to return

omgukilledkenny SG

Everyone expected Manchester City to announce the world-record capture of Kaka last night, but instead they were left with only Craig Bellamy to unveil as AC Milan decided to keep their brilliant playmaker.

And now the Citizens face a potential crisis after Robinho went missing from their training camp in the Canary Islands last night.

Sources in the English press claim that the ex-Real Madrid star stormed out of the Sky Blues' base in Tenerife and could not be contacted all evening.

It is believed the 24-year-old has grown sullen at Eastlands, as he has become frustrated with City's underperformance on the pitch and, perhaps, at the negotiating table.

There is a suggestion that Robinho is upset at the club's failure to sign Kaka. He has long stressed his desire to see more Brazilians in the blue half of Manchester, and the former FIFA World Player of the Year would have been a dream addition.

The details of this whole affair are still sketchy, but it might be enough to convince Chelsea to have another crack at one of Luiz Felipe Scolari's favourite players.

goal.com

kopredkop SG

hmmm the beginning of the downfall for man city?

robinho is unhappy

elano is unhappy

jo is unhappy

all the samba boys are unhappy - woohoo!

Scania N113CRB l0v3r SG

Lolx nice I think Robinho Regret lia0

omgukilledkenny SG

Robinho insists he is happy at Manchester City and left the club's training camp in Tenerife to return to Brazil for family reasons.

The former Real Madrid forward left the Canaries on Monday amid speculation he stormed out following the club's failure to complete a deal for AC Milan star Kaka.

However Robinho told BBC Sport: "I had made Manchester City aware that I needed to return to Brazil because of a family matter.

"I will return to the club and hope to sort this out as soon as possible."

Robinho added: "I feel it is important to underline that I did not return to Brazil because of the Kaka deal.

"He is one of my good friends and it would have been great to see him at Manchester City - but it had nothing to do with his decision to stay in Milan.

"I am committed to helping Manchester City become the force the owners assured me they will become."

The Blues smashed the British transfer record when they splashed out £32.5million on the 24-year-old in August last year.

Widely assumed to be joining Chelsea, Robinho plumped for City when Real Madrid refused to do business with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

On a personal level, Robinho has been a success, netting 12 goals for his new club - all but one of which have come in the Premier League - and becoming an instant hit with the City faithful.

However, City's failure to establish themselves in the top half of the table under manager Mark Hughes is bound to be the source of disappointment.

The striker has been giving Hughes some advice over his team building, claiming last week that even though he would like to see Kaka at Eastlands, defensive reinforcements were the priority.