Robinho interested in Barcelona switch

ROBINHO believes his ambition to be the best player in the world would be better served playing for Barcelona than Manchester City, although he insists he is not trying to force a move away from the Premier League side.

Robinho, who only joined City just over a year ago for a British record £32.5million from Real Madrid, has been closely linked with a move back to Spain over the last few months with Barca confirmed admirers.

The Brazil international has already admitted he would relish the chance to play for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side, and, in his latest comments, he also feels that by representing Barca he will have a better chance of achieving his long-held goal of being the best player on the planet.

Robinho told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: “I’m very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me, playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best player in the world than at City.”

However, Robinho, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, insists he is not trying to manufacture a move away from City or that he has a problem with manager Mark Hughes.

“I’m not forcing a hypothetical exit from England and neither do I have problems with my coach,” he added.

Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy explained yesterday why the FA were right to spare him any charges over his altercation with a supporter during last month’s Premier League derby at Old Trafford.

Bellamy was concerned about the repercussions of widespread criticism of his behaviour in a match City lost 4-3 – but he was subsequently heartened the FA chose only to warn him about his conduct.

The 30-year-old Wales captain said: “He shouldn’t have been on the pitch – and I shouldn’t have gone over to him.”

But recalling the events of a match in which he scored twice, Bellamy clarified: “I didn’t punch him, didn’t slap him, didn’t backhand him. I’ve gone over, told him to get off the pitch. I didn’t quite say it like that – but he got the message.

“He shoved his head towards me – and the FA have seen this; everyone has seen this.”

The fan in question was fined £305 and banned from all football matches for three years.

Bellamy added: “Certain papers tried to make it look like I have just attacked some fan. I’ve shoved his head out of my direction. The FA have seen that, that’s why I didn’t get a ban.”

City could be hit by injury concerns as they prepare for a Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Scunthorpe tomorrow.

Hughes is counting the cost of his side’s painful 2-2 Premier League draw with Fulham on Sunday, with in-form Bulgarian Martin Petrov and defender Kolo Toure both suffering knocks.

Petrov, who scored City’s second goal before the Cottagers staged a late comeback to rescue an unlikely point, suffered another knock on a troublesome knee complaint and will receive physio this week.

Toure, who scored the extra-time winner in the last round, also exacerbated a recent heel problem and faces a race against time to be fit for the visit of the Coca-Cola Championship side tomorrow.