In 1995, Georgiou Kinkladze appeared for his native Georgia, against Mike Smiths Wales side, vying for a place in the European Championships, which were to be held acro s the border in England some 2 years later. It was during this game in which he announced himself, to not only the fans in Cardiff Arms Park, but to numerous Premiership clubs.Kinkladze scored once in the first leg, which Georgia won 5-0 and again in the return fixture, a 1-0 victory and totalled 55 caps for the former Soviet state, scoring 8 goals and making him their most famous export, until Temuri Kestbaia had an altercation with an advertising hoarding at St James Park several years later.Kinkladze was born in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, in 1973. At this time his homeland was under Soviet rule and declared independence in 1991 and shortly after became a member of FIFA and Uefa respectively. He started, like many children growing up at this time, playing football, as somewhat of an escape from the desolate landscape that surrounded him and his friends. He started out with local club Mretebi Tbilisi, shortly after moving onto Dinamo Tbilisi, who are comparatively the Real Madrid of Georgia. It was here that he honed his guile and craft, mesmerising his native people for over 100 games, for the side that he had admired so, growing up in the city.Following his two outstanding performances against Wales, a host of Premiership clubs were touting Kinkladze, with Manchester City his eventual destination. Between his spells at Dinamo and City, there had been a brief spell at German side Saarbrucken; however club politics prevented a move becoming permanent. It was at City that he achieved cult status, following a reported 2million move from Dinamo, becoming former England International; Alan Balls first signing with the club.As of the 15th July 1995, 21 year old Kinkladze had the eyes of the blue half of Manchester bearing down on him, following much speculation and indeed hype on his arrival. Furthermore, many of the supporters voiced their concerns at letting Ball spend such a large amount on an attacking midfielder, when City had been struggling the previous season defensively. Indeed Kinkladze Matt Thomas Jersey appeared slightly chunky upon his entrance; however rich praise came from ball stating that when the season starts, every football fan will be talking about him. Rich praise indeed for a man that lifted the World Cup with England in 1996.It was little over a month after his arrival, on the 19th August when Georgiou made his debut against Tottenham. Following this, it took almost 3 months for him to get a win under his belt whilst in the starting line up, finally coming against Aston Villa, with the Georgian getting on the score sheet. Incidentally, the first 3 months of his City career were a sign of things to come over the next 3 years for Gio, as the Maine Road club failed to sparkle and he was relegated in his first season at the club,Despite playing for a floundering City side, Gio was undoubtedly the saving grace for the supporters during his time there. His magical runs, outstanding vision and world cla s finishes were something that will not be forgotten amongst fans that saw him play. In comparison, his style of dribbling was similar to George Best, his pa sing of Gascoigne and finishing of Bergkamp; indeed City had a player of true cla s. This was so much the case, much was made of Kinkladze winning Visiting Player of the Season, following his performance at Middlesbrough and won Goal of the Month or his strike against Southampton.During his time at City, it was moments like this that warmed him to the hearts of the supporters and indeed won the Player of the Year award in both seasons at the club. He appeared in the famous blue shirt 106 times Malcolm Miller Jersey over this period, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. The arrival of no-nonsense manager, Joe Royle, meant that Gios time at City was drawing to a close, much to the disappointment to the supporters.With the number 7 putting in outstanding performances week in, week out, for a struggling side, clubs from acro s Europe were starting to take an interest and eventually City cashed in on their talismanic midfielder, commanding a fee of around 5million, on what was widely thought to be a like for like replacement for Finn, Jari Litmanen.Following life after City, Kinkladzes time at Ajax was plagued by injury and sporadic appearances, meaning he only played 12 times in the famous red and white jersey. He then moved to Derby County, to play under Jim Smith. Between 1999 and 2004 he made 93 appearances, scoring approximately every 13 games, compared to 1 in 5 at City. Whilst with the Rams, he again won another Player of the Season award and the fans loved him, there were the expected moments of flair and although not representing a so called big club, had the support of veterans such as Ravanelli to call upon.On leaving Derby 6 years ago, Georgiou then moved to Cyprus after numerous unsucce sful trials with the likes of Celtic, who renewed their interest in him, after initially making an enquiry whilst at Dinamo. In the 2004-2005 season, he re-discovered his form, helping Anorthosis Famagusta to the league title, where the aforementioned Ketsbaia was stationed as a player/coach.Rubin Kazan was Georgious last profe sional club as a player. City have coincidentally been linked with 23 year old, Argentinean left back, Cristian Ansaldi, who currently plies his trade with the Ru sian club. However in the 2005-2006 season, it was Kinkladze who helped guide them to a Uefa cup qualifying spot and have since gone onto make the Champions League. His playing days came to an end, like many, as a result of a lack of fitne s and a club, due to his advancing years, though in no small part, had a role to play in the Ru sians succe s, even if his jinking runs were not there, his vision and finishing ability did not diminish.Manchester City supporters will always remember him for his flair and guile in the centre of the park, being one of their most technically gifted players in recent generations. Perhaps Gio was lucky, in the fact that he joined the likes of Lomas, Rosler and Quinn, although legendary, were not the type of player that would get the Kippax Stand on their feet with such ease. With Citys millions, it is unlikely that they will be looking to Tbilisi for a marquee signing in the near future, although it would be fascinating to know what a player of Kinkladzes calibre would fetch in todays market.
In 1995, Georgiou Kinkladze appeared for his native Georgia, against Mike Smiths Wales side, vying for a place in the European Championships, which were to be held acro s the border in England some 2 years later. It was during this game in which he announced himself, to not only the fans in Cardiff Arms Park, but to numerous Premiership clubs.Kinkladze scored once in the first leg, which Georgia won 5-0 and again in the return fixture, a 1-0 victory and totalled 55 caps for the former Soviet state, scoring 8 goals and making him their most famous export, until Temuri Kestbaia had an altercation with an advertising hoarding at St James Park several years later.Kinkladze was born in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, in 1973. At this time his homeland was under Soviet rule and declared independence in 1991 and shortly after became a member of FIFA and Uefa respectively. He started, like many children growing up at this time, playing football, as somewhat of an escape from the desolate landscape that surrounded him and his friends. He started out with local club Mretebi Tbilisi, shortly after moving onto Dinamo Tbilisi, who are comparatively the Real Madrid of Georgia. It was here that he honed his guile and craft, mesmerising his native people for over 100 games, for the side that he had admired so, growing up in the city.Following his two outstanding performances against Wales, a host of Premiership clubs were touting Kinkladze, with Manchester City his eventual destination. Between his spells at Dinamo and City, there had been a brief spell at German side Saarbrucken; however club politics prevented a move becoming permanent. It was at City that he achieved cult status, following a reported 2million move from Dinamo, becoming former England International; Alan Balls first signing with the club.As of the 15th July 1995, 21 year old Kinkladze had the eyes of the blue half of Manchester bearing down on him, following much speculation and indeed hype on his arrival. Furthermore, many of the supporters voiced their concerns at letting Ball spend such a large amount on an attacking midfielder, when City had been struggling the previous season defensively. Indeed Kinkladze Matt Thomas Jersey appeared slightly chunky upon his entrance; however rich praise came from ball stating that when the season starts, every football fan will be talking about him. Rich praise indeed for a man that lifted the World Cup with England in 1996.It was little over a month after his arrival, on the 19th August when Georgiou made his debut against Tottenham. Following this, it took almost 3 months for him to get a win under his belt whilst in the starting line up, finally coming against Aston Villa, with the Georgian getting on the score sheet. Incidentally, the first 3 months of his City career were a sign of things to come over the next 3 years for Gio, as the Maine Road club failed to sparkle and he was relegated in his first season at the club,Despite playing for a floundering City side, Gio was undoubtedly the saving grace for the supporters during his time there. His magical runs, outstanding vision and world cla s finishes were something that will not be forgotten amongst fans that saw him play. In comparison, his style of dribbling was similar to George Best, his pa sing of Gascoigne and finishing of Bergkamp; indeed City had a player of true cla s. This was so much the case, much was made of Kinkladze winning Visiting Player of the Season, following his performance at Middlesbrough and won Goal of the Month or his strike against Southampton.During his time at City, it was moments like this that warmed him to the hearts of the supporters and indeed won the Player of the Year award in both seasons at the club. He appeared in the famous blue shirt 106 times Malcolm Miller Jersey over this period, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. The arrival of no-nonsense manager, Joe Royle, meant that Gios time at City was drawing to a close, much to the disappointment to the supporters.With the number 7 putting in outstanding performances week in, week out, for a struggling side, clubs from acro s Europe were starting to take an interest and eventually City cashed in on their talismanic midfielder, commanding a fee of around 5million, on what was widely thought to be a like for like replacement for Finn, Jari Litmanen.Following life after City, Kinkladzes time at Ajax was plagued by injury and sporadic appearances, meaning he only played 12 times in the famous red and white jersey. He then moved to Derby County, to play under Jim Smith. Between 1999 and 2004 he made 93 appearances, scoring approximately every 13 games, compared to 1 in 5 at City. Whilst with the Rams, he again won another Player of the Season award and the fans loved him, there were the expected moments of flair and although not representing a so called big club, had the support of veterans such as Ravanelli to call upon.On leaving Derby 6 years ago, Georgiou then moved to Cyprus after numerous unsucce sful trials with the likes of Celtic, who renewed their interest in him, after initially making an enquiry whilst at Dinamo. In the 2004-2005 season, he re-discovered his form, helping Anorthosis Famagusta to the league title, where the aforementioned Ketsbaia was stationed as a player/coach.Rubin Kazan was Georgious last profe sional club as a player. City have coincidentally been linked with 23 year old, Argentinean left back, Cristian Ansaldi, who currently plies his trade with the Ru sian club. However in the 2005-2006 season, it was Kinkladze who helped guide them to a Uefa cup qualifying spot and have since gone onto make the Champions League. His playing days came to an end, like many, as a result of a lack of fitne s and a club, due to his advancing years, though in no small part, had a role to play in the Ru sians succe s, even if his jinking runs were not there, his vision and finishing ability did not diminish.Manchester City supporters will always remember him for his flair and guile in the centre of the park, being one of their most technically gifted players in recent generations. Perhaps Gio was lucky, in the fact that he joined the likes of Lomas, Rosler and Quinn, although legendary, were not the type of player that would get the Kippax Stand on their feet with such ease. With Citys millions, it is unlikely that they will be looking to Tbilisi for a marquee signing in the near future, although it would be fascinating to know what a player of Kinkladzes calibre would fetch in todays market.