5 into 4 won't go

[foureyes]

Does the emergence of CIteh as a new Chelski not worry you? I read some of the threads and folks are saying how it won't work because the owners will interfere or because the purchasing of new players will ruin the confidence of their current players etc. All valid points to some degree but it simply does not get away from the fact that Citeh are now Chelski on steroids. Just look at the scale and rate of improvement Chelski went through when Roman came in.

They bought Robinho yesterday at the drop of a hat in their first day in charge. It shows just what their intent is and just how much financial clout these boys have. They make Roman look poor.

I'm not saying that Hughes is a poor manager, but imagine if they manage to get Hiddink this year or next and really splash the cash come January. They barely had time to spend this time around.

It's worrying for our Champions League prospects. We may get away with it this season, but i'm not even sure of that now after the poor start we've had and the more it starts to sink in just how powerful Citeh are going to be.

The only silver lining to this cloud is the fact that it may make the Yanks realise that they simply can't compete, and more importantly to them, the annual Champions League windfall they look forward to most likely will not be there next season or the season after that. Hopefully after considering this, they will sell to DIC.

The big four are now the big 5. There are only 4 CL slots. One has to give way and I really do fear that it may well be us.

 

[LarryHagman ★]

There'll only be 3 in a couple of years once Napoleon starts implementing his plans.

 

[HC]

The big four is not a big five.

Fuck off,haha.

Come back to me at the end of the season when City finish in 8th. And again next season when their galacticos crash and burn.

 

[singlerider]

To be honest, the way we're playing at the minute, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if Citeh overtake us this season.

Hughes is a decent manager, and they've got a decent squad. If Rafa keeps fucking about playing silly buggers it's not inconceivable that they could finish above us.

I reckon Robinho will flop though

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666090#msg666090 date=1220380015]
The big four is not a big five.

Fuck off,haha.

Come back to me at the end of the season when City finish in 8th. And again next season when their galacticos crash and burn.


[/quote]


Just how exactly have Chelski and their Galacticos crashed and burned? All Citeh need is the right manager...

Mark my words HC.

 

[Atlas]

Everyone waited for Chelsea to crash, it hasnt happened yet.
We now wait for Roman to get bored and walk away....

Edit:
be interesting to see his take on it.
Will he end up bidding even crazier amounts on players

 

[HC]

Chelsea didnt sign Galacticos. They signed the best possible players, paying too much in the process like.

Let's just wait and see where they finish this season, eh Foureyes.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666096#msg666096 date=1220380314]
Chelsea didnt sign Galacticos. They signed the best possible players, paying too much in the process like.

Let's just wait and see where they finish this season, eh Foureyes.
[/quote]

That's what I mean when I say it all hinges on the manager. If he buys the right players and manages them correctly they will be fucking hard to stop. Bottomless pockets and a top notch manager, why shouldn't they. As I said, maybe not this season but certainly the next. If they don't make top four this season I think Hughes will be gone.

Indeed sweetcheeks, we shall wait and see.

 

[HC]

Hinges on the manager, my arse. I think that arab coming out today and saying what he did is fairly indicative of what is going to happen, in a similar way to Shevy la shenko signing for Chelsea and Ballack etc being Romans signings, not Jose's.

If that happens, they'll go to pot.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666102#msg666102 date=1220380573]
Hinges on the manager, my arse. I think that arab coming out today and saying what he did is fairly indicative of what is going to happen, in a similar way to Shevy la shenko signing for Chelsea and Ballack etc being Romans signings, not Jose's.

If that happens, they'll go to pot.
[/quote]

And where are Chelski now? Gone to pot? Hardly.

 

[HC]

[quote author=foureyes link=topic=26731.msg666106#msg666106 date=1220380671]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666102#msg666102 date=1220380573]
Hinges on the manager, my arse. I think that arab coming out today and saying what he did is fairly indicative of what is going to happen, in a similar way to Shevy la shenko signing for Chelsea and Ballack etc being Romans signings, not Jose's.

If that happens, they'll go to pot.
[/quote]

And where are Chelski now? Gone to pot? Hardly.
[/quote]

Fair play. City still won't be in the top four come may. Fact.

 

[Tal]

If the owners are serious it will take:

1. An impossible to refuse offer to a world class manager
2. £500M in player expenditure.

Since the family who now own the club have an estimated wealth of £560 Billion, I can't see either being any sort of hurdle.

Top players will go there if other top players are there. They have already gazumped Chelsea so the precedent is set. It's looking exactly like how Chelsea began.

I don't fear this season, but next season I would suggest we are going to be in deep trouble if things remain as they are at Anfield.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666108#msg666108 date=1220380737]
[quote author=foureyes link=topic=26731.msg666106#msg666106 date=1220380671]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=26731.msg666102#msg666102 date=1220380573]
Hinges on the manager, my arse. I think that arab coming out today and saying what he did is fairly indicative of what is going to happen, in a similar way to Shevy la shenko signing for Chelsea and Ballack etc being Romans signings, not Jose's.

If that happens, they'll go to pot.
[/quote]

And where are Chelski now? Gone to pot? Hardly.
[/quote]

Fair play. City still won't be in the top four come may. Fact.
[/quote]

If not I think that will be for three main reasons. Firstly, the new owners came in a little late, any earlier would have seen them clear up the transfer market. Secondly, Hughes. I think he's a good manager but there's a big fucking difference between keeping Blackburn mid table and challenging with the big boys and having to control and motivate some serious egos. Thirdly, us. If we get our shit together we may keep fourth, but the way we are at present, it's there for the taking.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Tal link=topic=26731.msg666112#msg666112 date=1220380995]
If the owners are serious it will take:

1. An impossible to refuse offer to a world class manager
2. £500M in player expenditure.

Since the family who now own the club have an estimated wealth of £560 Billion, I can't see either being any sort of hurdle.

Top players will go there if other top players are there. They have already gazumped Chelsea so the precedent is set. It's looking exactly like how Chelsea began.

I don't fear this season, but next season I would suggest we are going to be in deep trouble if things remain as they are at Anfield.
[/quote]

If that figure is correct, they could have any almost any player and any manager they want. If that's the case, what happens at Citeh will make the Chelski story look like a fairytale.

 

[Tal]

The figure is from a BBC article. Admittedly it does not say the owner himself is worth that, just the whole big 'family, rulers of the emirate' wealth. In truth I don't suppose anyone really knows, but oil-rich arabs are so obscenely rich it becomes irrelevant what the actual figure is.

Here's some of the article:

"Although Dr Sulaiman is the face of the new owners, Sheikh Mansour is the main player."

Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, and his 19 brothers include the president and crown prince of the emirate.

He is married to Sheikha Manal bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, daughter of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

The estimated wealth of the Al Nahyan family is an almost unimaginable $1 trillion (a thousand billion dollars) or more than £560bn.

Sheikh Mansour, a member of the federal cabinet in the United Arab Emirates and Minister of Presidential Affairs, is also politically influential.

And his love of sport has already led him to become chairman of Al Jazeera Football Club and the Emirates Horse Racing Authority."

 

[Tal]

Who knows, it might spark some rivalry with Mansour's 'family-by-marriage in Dubai ... isn't that Maktoum chap the one with interests in DIC?

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Tal link=topic=26731.msg666131#msg666131 date=1220381723]
Who knows, it might spark some rivalry with Mansour's 'family-by-marriage in Dubai ... isn't that Maktoum chap the one with interests in DIC?
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure it is. Here's hoping.

 

[viingx]

[quote author=foureyes link=topic=26731.msg666117#msg666117 date=1220381172]
[quote author=Tal link=topic=26731.msg666112#msg666112 date=1220380995]
If the owners are serious it will take:

1. An impossible to refuse offer to a world class manager
2. £500M in player expenditure.

Since the family who now own the club have an estimated wealth of £560 Billion, I can't see either being any sort of hurdle.

Top players will go there if other top players are there. They have already gazumped Chelsea so the precedent is set. It's looking exactly like how Chelsea began.

I don't fear this season, but next season I would suggest we are going to be in deep trouble if things remain as they are at Anfield.
[/quote]

If that figure is correct, they could have any almost any player and any manager they want. If that's the case, what happens at Citeh will make the Chelski story look like a fairytale.
[/quote]

How did they figure "Manchester City"!?!

One of the cheapest club to buy in the PL, so let's go with that? Stoke, Hull, Fulham are on the card then?

 

[foureyes]

Don't know why they bought Citeh. I guess it's a fairly big club, big city, the owners were desperate to sell and the stadium is already sorted. Can't remember the figure but it didn't sound too expensive a move either.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Maybe its that skinywater was looking for a quick exit as his assets are frozen and criminals aren't allowed to own clubs, and they were looking for a quick entry.

Nice new stadium, ability to increase the capacity and big, loyal fan base.

Either way, Arsenal arent safe either but no ones mentioned them yet

 

[Rafiagra]

I am pretty sure that in time and without further investment for us, they will overtake us.

I dont particularly rate Robinho and they are loons for the amount of cash they have splashed on him. However, it is imperative that we qualify for the Champs League next season as if we cannot offer that, we will be unable to match them in any transfer.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Rafiagra link=topic=26731.msg666168#msg666168 date=1220384008]
I am pretty sure that in time and without further investment for us, they will overtake us.

I dont particularly rate Robinho and they are loons for the amount of cash they have splashed on him. However, it is imperative that we qualify for the Champs League next season as if we cannot offer that, we will be unable to match them in any transfer.


[/quote]

I don't think we'll be able to match them anyway mate. they'll easily outbid us for any player with regards to fees and salaries. The promise of playing in a dream team would be very tempting to most. They have no CL footy this season and managed to lure Robinho.

 

[Tinto ★]

The vast majority of the best players already play for the biggest clubs. So, why would we sell them Torres, why would Arsenal sell them Fabregas and United Ronaldo? Only a stupid amount of money would stand a chance prizing away those type of players and then Man City would have given their rivals a huge amount of money to buy other players.

I'm not saying City won't make it a Big 5 eventually as money talks but they will have to buy best players from the smaller clubs and it will take longer than they think.

 

[foureyes]

Chelsea managed it with less money than these boys have and won the Prem in Maureen's first season. Followed by another.

 

[keniget ★]

[quote author=Tal link=topic=26731.msg666112#msg666112 date=1220380995]
If the owners are serious it will take:

1. An impossible to refuse offer to a world class manager
2. £500M in player expenditure.

Since the family who now own the club have an estimated wealth of £560 Billion, I can't see either being any sort of hurdle.

Top players will go there if other top players are there. They have already gazumped Chelsea so the precedent is set. It's looking exactly like how Chelsea began.

I don't fear this season, but next season I would suggest we are going to be in deep trouble if things remain as they are at Anfield.
[/quote]

Yup and the precedent got set in the first couple days of their arrival. Worrying.

I think Hughes is a very good manager and they already have a good squad. If they spend big and well, they'll be a serious threat very soon.

 

[Avmenon]

It can't be helped,tho.

This is part of what Sunny and Vladders was talking about; the amount of money is changing the game; but the only thing that can be done is to either adapt to these changes or risk becoming another former giant that people reminisce about ie 'Remember Notthingham Forest?'

The only thing working in our favour is that all the doom-mongers don't remember when we were the masters of the universe, when we 'were' football.But a lot of people still do; and we're a damn sight more likely to attract the real investment needed.

So I'm not going to hit the panic button just yet.

[size=6pt]We need a new fucking manager tho[/size].

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Don't let anyone come on here and say it won't.
When Chelsea were starting their climb out of a pit of also-rans and having practically gone bust I raised the same question and the idea that Chelsea could possibly become any competition was ridiculed. It was"going to take them ten years" they said. It hasn't. "Roman will get fed up" they said. He hasn't. "They won't be able to build an international fan base like ours". They are.
This twat seems to have even less class, and more money to chuck at it than Abramovitch and may do it quicker.
It is a cancer eating away at football and ironically even great clubs like ours have to catch it to survive.


regards

 

[Tinto ★]

I can't quite remember even though it's not that long ago, but wasn't Chelsea in the champions league already when Roman bought them? They already had a squad capable of challenging... Man City don't (yet). Football wise, when Roman bought them, Chelsea were much stronger than City is now. Also United weren't the team they are now and despite the doom and gloom, we're much stronger now than back then too.

Man City will find it harder than Chelsea to do a 'Chelsea', but as I said in my previous post, the money will tell eventually.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=Tinto link=topic=26731.msg666438#msg666438 date=1220432090]
I can't quite remember even though it's not that long ago, but wasn't Chelsea in the champions league already when Roman bought them? They already had a squad capable of challenging... Man City don't (yet). Football wise, when Roman bought them, Chelsea were much stronger than City is now. Also United weren't the team they are now and despite the doom and gloom, we're much stronger now than back then too.

Man City will find it harder than Chelsea to do a 'Chelsea', but as I said in my previous post, the money will tell eventually.
[/quote]

The team may have been better, but Chelsea had over-spent trying to achieve what they couldn't afford, as they did not have a decent enough fan base and sponsors because they were a shit club, they were going into receivership and Roman brought it for a penny.
I think City are a far better structured club and that won't need much work. If they are prepared to spend like they are saying, and learn from Chelsea's mistakes they could do it as quickly. The fact that Chelsea did it so quickly is quite frightening looking at things today

regards

 

[Tinto ★]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=26731.msg666447#msg666447 date=1220432570]

The team may have been better, but Chelsea had over-spent trying to achieve what they couldn't afford, as they did not have a decent enough fan base and sponsors because they were a shit club, they were going into receivership and Roman brought it for a penny.
I think City are a far better structured club and that won't need much work. If they are prepared to spend like they are saying, and learn from Chelsea's mistakes they could do it as quickly. The fact that Chelsea did it so quickly is quite frightening looking at things today

regards
[/quote]

Yeah, it is frightening... but I was fairly worried about Chelsea before Roman took over, whereas, football wise I'm not as worried about City yet.

City are better structured off the pitch no doubt than Chelsea were but to achieve their objective of winning the Premier League next season and then the Champions League the season after, they will need the best players the world has to offer. Most of the best players in the world are at big clubs already and are very well paid. I think they will find it harder to prize those top players from the top clubs unless they smashed the world record transfer fees for each of them. Even then, if we did sell, say, Torres to them, it would be a bit like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Of course, I'm worried about City and their owner's ambitions but I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible.