Roberto Mancini has cited that Manchester City’s Premier League rivals have a tinge of jealousy at the resources available to the club, but could perhaps prove to be a major thorn in the Italian’s side.
With a seeming unlimited windfall at his disposal, and being linked with copious amounts of players, signing quite a few of them, the pressure which will accompany these big name captures will only intensify.
Indeed, Mancini has become one of the bookies favourites to feel the axe come down on his neck, with a positive start to the campaign imperative.
Although the Abu Dhabi consortium have got their man having off loaded Mark Hughes, it is likely near instant results will be expected, increasingly so giving the money that has, and will continue to be spent before the start of the campaign, and the evident desire for Champions League football at Eastlands.
Patience is not often a word associated with football at any level, whether it be 5-a-side or 6-a-side soccer, but the top clubs, the elite, a group that Manchester City are fast becoming part of, have the temperature turned up quite a few notches.
Mancini has a big task ahead of him this season
Mancini is making all the right noises, stating that the clubs target should be nothing less than the top flight title: “Last year we fought for fourth place until the penultimate game against Tottenham and the aim this year is to try to win the Premier League. That must be our target.”
It is remains to be seen how likely it is that these aspirations are to be fulfilled, but nothing less should be targeted. Money doesn’t buy instant success, take a look at Real Madrid’s fortunes last campaign for example, who flexed their financial power only to fall short in both domestic and European competitions, with Manuel Pellegrini subsequently losing his job.
Claudio Ranieri was the first Chelsea manager to fell the benefits of a cash windfall at Chelsea following Roman Abramovich’s purchasing of the club, but also suffered the backlash of not bringing overnight success, being replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Thus far, City have seen the arrival of four major signings, combing a total £80million, with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boetang and Aleksander Kolarov all coming through the doors, with a number of other individuals on the radar.
Reports today suggest that City are now eyeing Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, in what would be an audacious move for both the club and the player if it were to came off, underlining the power that financial wealth brings.
Regardless of how wealthy the club is, and the size of the war chest that Mancini has at his beck and call, it is evident that Manchester City don’t want to be forced into paying over the odds for individuals simply due to their fully justified reputation, as the Italian explains: "Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe and is already playing in the Premier League for three years and knows it very well. When Manchester City enquire about a £10m player, the club asks for £20m. That is not good for us.”
However, luring Torres away from Liverpool will cost big bucks, and the £70million quoted may go some way to restoring the Reds fans faith in the board, especially if the transfer fee is re-invested into the squad.
If Mancini were to splash out what is quite clearly silly money on one player, there aren’t many individuals out there with such raw talent as the Liverpool number nine, and would certainly send out a message that Manchester City are determined to stop at nothing for success.
The opening month or two don’t provide the most comfortable of starts for the newly assembled squad, and it is vital that there is a certain degree of harmony amongst the big star names – maybe it would be best to get a quick sale on the disruptive influences who are unsettled and dissatisfied with Mancini’s hard line routines.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea all lie in wait in what should be an intriguing opening few months to the fast approaching season.
Alex Z