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City chairman: It doesn't faze us
Man City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak is bracing himself for more criticism as City close in on the signing of Joleon Lescott.
Lescott passed a medical today with the club confirming there are no major problems with the 27-year-old's transfer despite the move still not quite being completed.
By the time they conclude the signing of Lescott, City will have spent £120million, easily the most invested by any club in England.
As they also splashed out £100million last season there can be few excuses if the Blues fail to gatecrash the top four.
Yet while some would welcome a breaking of an established order that has monopolised the English game, others view such spending as obscene, particularly from a club who would not have a chance of generating such sums without the largesse provided by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
And City chairman Khaldoon is aware that any City success is bound to be greeted with a degree of scepticism, just as some outsiders would love it.
"There will always be critics and I know that will only increase," Khaldoon told www.mcfc.co.uk.
"With the ambition we have and what we have committed to the club there will be more criticism.
"It is frustrating but it will only be there because of our success.
"It doesn't faze anyone here. We are looking forward to proving we can do it that right way."
Just to prove the richest club in the world do not get everything their own way, the long-running pursuit of Lescott is still not quite a done deal.
Club officials have confirmed the England defender has passed a medical and that there are no major problems, certainly none affecting City or the actual deal with Everton.
Whether Lescott is claiming a loyalty bonus on the basis that Everton turned down his transfer request is open to conjecture but while senior staff at Eastlands are ready to sign the deal off, so far there has been no resolution to the problem.
Given the bad blood that exists between Lescott and the Merseysiders, it is inconceivable the delay will prove to be anything other than temporary.
However, it may delay Lescott's debut given City are next in action on Thursday when they visit Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup.
Mark Hughes could have a new face involved at Selhurst Park though as they have completed the capture of veteran full-back Sylvinho on a one-year contract.
The 35-year-old was released by Barcelona at the end of last season after an excellent spell at the Nou Camp, which saw him claim two Champions League winners' medals, completing the full 90 minutes against Manchester United in May.
"Sylvinho has a wealth of experience at the very top level, having represented Brazil and played for some of the very top clubs in Europe," said Hughes.
"When the chance presented itself to bring him to Manchester City as a free agent I saw it as representing excellent business for us.
"Sylvinho won the European Cup last season at Barcelona and he will strengthen our defensive options."
Once the Lescott deal is complete, City will have cover in every position.
Given there is no European football to distract them, there is no reason why the Blues should not be battling in the higher reaches of the table.
Two wins from two so far is certainly a decent start, even if it has come at a large financial cost.
Not that Khaldoon is complaining. He goes along with Hughes' belief that City have spent their money wisely.
"The value of a player is down to the purchasing club," said Khaldoon.
"Maybe the value of Carlos Tevez to Manchester City was different to his value for Manchester United.
"The reality is we are trying to build a club to be the best in Europe. That takes time and a financial commitment. You will not reach that top echelon of European football by not investing.
"We have made team judgements on the areas where we need to invest and I think the results will show they were the right choices."
-ketuanan Arab dah bersore.. |
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Post time 25-8-2009 01:52 PM
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