How will the the arabs affect Man City?

Cookie Monster wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:this isn't an abramovich play thing they are business men first and foremost, they'll only spend what they believe they can recuperate from improved financial performance. anybody expecting chelsea like money down a big black hole imho is mistaken.

Apart from teh fact they ahve said they will spend what ever it takes.

ffs i'd love a pound for every chairman/owner whose come up with that line and failed to deliver

Manchester City's prospective new owners have declared they want the club to challenge for honours on all fronts.

The Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), which is set to take over from Thaksin Shinawatra, has already helped seal the signing of Brazil striker Robinho.

City bought Robinho from Real Madrid for a British record fee of £32.5m

"We would like to be a lot better than last season, and we are eager for trophies next season," said ADUG spokesman Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim.

Thaksin has signed a memorandum of understanding with ADUG which would see the Arab company taking a majority stake in the club.

The move has drawn comparisons with Russian Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea in 2003.

Since then, the London side have won the Premier League title twice, lifted the FA Cup once and reached the final of the Champions League.

City have not won a trophy since the League Cup in 1976, but Al-Fahim believes the funds available to manager Mark Hughes should help bring silverware.

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"We would like to see Manchester City fighting for trophies in every tournament," said Al-Fahim.

"We don't just want Manchester City to be challenging for trophies in England, but also in the Champions League. We want them to be in for every trophy available."

News of a takeover bid backed by the Abu Dhabi royal family was greeted warmly by supporters, who have already jokingly renamed their home ground 'Middle Eastlands.'

Former City star Mike Summerbee told BBC Five Live: "We are very, very lucky - Manchester City FC are a very big club and it's a wonderful thing for them.

"It's about time we had little a bit of luck. A royal family has taken us over and we can compete with the biggest clubs in the country and in fact anybody in the world now."

City, who finished ninth in the Premier League last season, face Chelsea in their next league clash at Eastlands on 13 September.

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Robinho could make his Premier League debut in that match after the 24-year-old moved to City rather than long-term suitors Chelsea, who refused to match his asking price.

Al-Fahim will try to attend that match, and wants to travel to England for talks with the club and the Premier League to clarify details of the takeover.

In a statement released on Monday, ADUG said the aim would be for City to compete in the Champions League in the 2009-10 campaign, which would require a top-four finish this season.

Although the club have started the season well and are third in the table after three games, Al-Fahim appeared to acknowledge the real hunt for trophies would begin next season.

"A place in the Champions League is quite a jump from last season, but we are ready to sit down with the manager, find out the players he would like, and bring the right players into the club," Al-Fahim added.

And financial advisor Amanda Stavely, who brokered the Abu Dhabi deal, said the Manchester club proved an entincing prospect.

"The Premier League without doubt as a sporting brand is a great opportunity. We should be very proud of British football," she said.

"Any outside or foreign investor can only be excited to get involved in world-class league. Manchester City sells itself."

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Good to see he ackowledges the step up and its clear its Hughes who will pick the players.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

Cookie Monster wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:this isn't an abramovich play thing they are business men first and foremost, they'll only spend what they believe they can recuperate from improved financial performance. anybody expecting chelsea like money down a big black hole imho is mistaken.

Apart from teh fact they ahve said they will spend what ever it takes.

ffs i'd love a pound for every chairman/owner whose come up with that line and failed to deliver

I agree with Frank

Absolute bull that any owners coming out with comments such as "I'm not in it for the money." Lerner, Glazers, and the Hick + Gillete's of this world aren't just going to risk millions for their supposed 'love' for their respective club. They expect results and trophies that equalling(that word lol) to £££. Anyone thinking any different is extremely guillable.

They guy who bought Blackburn, his name escapes me, he is one in a million.

jack walker

Ade wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

Cookie Monster wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:this isn't an abramovich play thing they are business men first and foremost, they'll only spend what they believe they can recuperate from improved financial performance. anybody expecting chelsea like money down a big black hole imho is mistaken.

Apart from teh fact they ahve said they will spend what ever it takes.

ffs i'd love a pound for every chairman/owner whose come up with that line and failed to deliver

I agree with Frank

Absolute bull that any owners coming out with comments such as "I'm not in it for the money." Lerner, Glazers, and the Hick + Gillete's of this world aren't just going to risk millions for their supposed 'love' for their respective club. They expect results and trophies that equalling(that word lol) to £££. Anyone thinking any different is extremely guillable.

They guy who bought Blackburn, his name escapes me, he is one in a million.

It's gullible to think it's 'love' of the club, of course. They always want to be turning a profit on these things. But money is not the only thing they can get out of these deals...there's worldwide exposure, prestige. Do rich people buy ridiculously expensive cars or private planes to make money?

If these guys are as rich as has been suggested, there is no 'risk' for them in investing 100s of millions...it's an extravagent purchase, for them to show off to the world how rich they are, get lots of PR for Abu Dhabi (how many times have you heard the words Abu Dhabi in the last 24 hrs?).

There is money to be made from football clubs, but comparatively less than many other business ventures (what other businesses require you to pay the staff 100k a week?). It's the other factors which make them so attractive to these billionaires.

i see the exposure thing but that'll need to be paid for in hugely increased property development, etc. in the region which is looking to emulate its sister, Dubai. in the end it'll all be about money and making even more whether it be through football, or some other way.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:i see the exposure thing but that'll need to be paid for in hugely increased property development, etc. in the region which is looking to emulate its sister, Dubai. in the end it'll all be about money and making even more whether it be through football, or some other way.

£28,000,000,000

They've now said they want C. ronaldo

yea talk of £125m bid for C Ronaldo. Also bids expected for Henry, Cesc, Torres & fat Ronaldo in January.

Calidad wrote:yea talk of £125m bid for C Ronaldo. Also bids expected for Henry, Cesc, Torres & fat Ronaldo in January.

Buying Henry wouldnt be the worst idea, at least he is attainable, unlike the others.

Rosicky wrote:

Calidad wrote:yea talk of £125m bid for C Ronaldo. Also bids expected for Henry, Cesc, Torres & fat Ronaldo in January.

Buying Henry wouldnt be the worst idea, at least he is attainable, unlike the others.

If City bid say £40m for Cesc, Arsene will be right in there. He'll then go on to steal one of Barca academy players.

Can't see Torres, Ronaldo or Cesc joining them. They should stick to chasing mercenary Brazilians.

Calidad wrote:

Rosicky wrote:

Calidad wrote:yea talk of £125m bid for C Ronaldo. Also bids expected for Henry, Cesc, Torres & fat Ronaldo in January.

Buying Henry wouldnt be the worst idea, at least he is attainable, unlike the others.

If City bid say £40m for Cesc, Arsene will be right in there. He'll then go on to steal one of Barca academy players.

No way would he sell Cesc, certainly not to Man City.

If he ever does move it will only ever be to Barca or Madrid.

Robinho is now the highest paid player in the world. It City make similar offers to other players, they'll go too.

why do you think the Prem is seeing influx of foreign players? money.

would Sheva or Deco have dreamed of going to Chelsea before the Abram era? No. Players go where the money is.

Ade wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

Cookie Monster wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:this isn't an abramovich play thing they are business men first and foremost, they'll only spend what they believe they can recuperate from improved financial performance. anybody expecting chelsea like money down a big black hole imho is mistaken.

Apart from teh fact they ahve said they will spend what ever it takes.

ffs i'd love a pound for every chairman/owner whose come up with that line and failed to deliver

I agree with Frank

Absolute bull that any owners coming out with comments such as "I'm not in it for the money." Lerner, Glazers, and the Hick + Gillete's of this world aren't just going to risk millions for their supposed 'love' for their respective club. They expect results and trophies that equalling(that word lol) to £££. Anyone thinking any different is extremely guillable.

They guy who bought Blackburn, his name escapes me, he is one in a million.

The Glazers always said they were in it for the money. Just you gullable Liverpool fans thought your owners were different

Calidad wrote:Robinho is now the highest paid player in the world. It City make similar offers to other players, they'll go too.

why do you think the Prem is seeing influx of foreign players? money.

would Sheva or Deco have dreamed of going to Chelsea before the Abram era? No. Players go where the money is.

That's because 1. Chelsea couldn't afford them. 2. Chelsea were shite. So it's also how good the team is and what they can win, obviously money is an issue also.

FFS! Dr Sulaiman ain't joking. He got Robinho!

Citeh's ultimate team provided Sulaiman digs deep like Abramovich in transfers.

------------------------------Casillas---------------------------------

--Rámos-----------Pepe----------------Carvalho-------------Abidal

-----------------------------Senna---------------------------------

-------------------Xavi-------------------Kaká------------------------

---Messi---------------------------------------------------------Robinho

------------------------------Villa----------------------------------------

FFS!

Keegan or Fat Sam to manage the team. Ain't that right Kimbo bro!

Not all players do. Torres took a pay cut for example. Cesc signed a really long deal with Arsenal - surely he could have got more money with a shorter contract? Even C Ronaldo wants to play for Real Madrid so he can get his WPOTY. It's not just about money.

Puro wrote:FFS! Dr Sulaiman ain't joking. He got Robinho!

Citeh's ultimate team provided Sulaiman digs deep like Abramovich in transfers.

------------------------------Casillas---------------------------------

--Rámos-----------Pepe----------------Carvalho-------------Abidal

-----------------------------Senna---------------------------------

-------------------Xavi-------------------Kaká------------------------

---Messi---------------------------------------------------------Robinho

------------------------------Villa----------------------------------------

FFS!

Keegan or Fat Sam to manage the team. Ain't that right Kimbo bro!

Thanks

shazlx wrote:

Puro wrote:FFS! Dr Sulaiman ain't joking. He got Robinho!

Citeh's ultimate team provided Sulaiman digs deep like Abramovich in transfers.

------------------------------Casillas---------------------------------

--Rámos-----------Pepe----------------Carvalho-------------Abidal

-----------------------------Senna---------------------------------

-------------------Xavi-------------------Kaká------------------------

---Messi---------------------------------------------------------Robinho

------------------------------Villa----------------------------------------

FFS!

Keegan or Fat Sam to manage the team. Ain't that right Kimbo bro!

Thanks

I smiled at that one also. What the heck Puro bro!

If Man City are in contention come the next transfer window, and they offer extortionate amounts of money on both transfers and wages, players/clubs even from the top four may think twice.

If City offered Man Utd, 125m as has been reported, that is an insane figure for a club, even of Utd's stature to turn down. And if they offer to double Ronaldo's wages, he might just consider it too.

Personally, I think the Robinho transfer may prove to be a bit of a red herring in terms of how easy it will be for City to attract the more glamourous names, but the way football is going, I really wouldn't be surprised.

The way you make it seem Calidad, is that the only people who will be watching the premierleague in 5 years will be City fans.

Z wrote:The way you make it seem Calidad, is that the only people who will be watching the premierleague in 5 years will be City fans.

Don't you now support Citeh?

We all do

L.r.d wrote:
I smiled at that one also. What the heck Puro bro!

Sup LRD! Put Vargas, Evra, Clichy...instead of Abidal. They're all pretty close in my books I don't care.

Hey man, looks like Sulaiman is out to knock Fergie off his fucking perch in the least amount of time possible.

Any concern from you regarding this new Citeh threat? There's no stopping this guy, and he may even go after your man Cristiano.

Calidad wrote:If Man City are in contention come the next transfer window, and they offer extortionate amounts of money on both transfers and wages, players/clubs even from the top four may think twice.

If City offered Man Utd, 125m as has been reported, that is an insane figure for a club, even of Utd's stature to turn down. And if they offer to double Ronaldo's wages, he might just consider it too.

Personally, I think the Robinho transfer may prove to be a bit of a red herring in terms of how easy it will be for City to attract the more glamourous names, but the way football is going, I really wouldn't be surprised.

That's just nonsense. There is no way Ronaldo would ever go to manchester city ffs. Man Utd would not sell to Man City, Chelsea or such. It would make no sense. And Ronaldo would not go. The fact is he would earn insane amounts at Real Madrid, he would always choose them over anything else even for 50k less or something. Unhappy players will go there sure. But not top players from top clubs who are doing well. Ronaldo is the least likely of all, because he'd only go to Madrid.

Ronaldo could get an extortionate amount of money at Madrid also though. IMO if he leavues Utd it will be for them.

With Cesc I agree with rosicky that it would only be to barca or Real. He's not a mercenary.

Puro wrote:

L.r.d wrote:
I smiled at that one also. What the heck Puro bro!

Sup LRD! Put Vargas, Evra, Clichy...instead of Abidal. They're all pretty close in my books I don't care.

Hey man, looks like Sulaiman is out to knock Fergie off his fucking perch in the least amount of time possible.

Any concern from you regarding this new Citeh threat? There's no stopping this guy, and he may even go after your man Cristiano.

We'll see how long it lasts Puro, if City don't win anything in 3 years and he's spent hundreds of millions on wages and transfers he may decide to chill out.

He went after lots and got just Robinho who was desperate to leave Madrid anyway.

Fabio mate, not clichy evra or even vargas. Fabio!

I can see Man City taking over Pool and Arsenal, and properly challenging us and Chelsea, but they wont be getting either sides best players, no chance of that.

L.r.d wrote:I can see Man City taking over Pool and Arsenal, and properly challenging us and Chelsea, but they wont be getting either sides best players, no chance of that.

Players from Serie A may not be out of reach though - like Ibrah, De Rossi or Buffon.

Puro wrote:FFS! Dr Sulaiman ain't joking. He got Robinho!

Citeh's ultimate team provided Sulaiman digs deep like Abramovich in transfers.

------------------------------Casillas---------------------------------

--Rámos-----------Pepe----------------Carvalho-------------Abidal

-----------------------------Senna---------------------------------

-------------------Xavi-------------------Kaká------------------------

---Messi---------------------------------------------------------Robinho

------------------------------Villa----------------------------------------

FFS!

Keegan or Fat Sam to manage the team. Ain't that right Kimbo bro!

I think Mark Hughes is their manager.

I don't think the buying a whole team of galacticos is the best tactic if Man City want to win things...sure it would look amazing on paper and all, but they're better following what Chelsea did, where players like Cech, Drogba and Essien were not already proven at the very top clubs - hence were more keen to succeed and become stars. Sure, Chelsea also went on to bring in the 'galactico' types Shevchenko, Ballack, now Deco...but these are the players to get when you're already established as winning things.

The idea of bunging Ronaldo, Robinho, Torres, Kaka, whoever in one team, would just be a bunch of huge egos, near impossible to manage. Of course, there would be enough talent to win lots of games, but it's the kinda side I'd imagine falling apart in cup competitions.

Tweedle wrote:

L.r.d wrote:I can see Man City taking over Pool and Arsenal, and properly challenging us and Chelsea, but they wont be getting either sides best players, no chance of that.

Players from Serie A may not be out of reach though - like Ibrah, De Rossi or Buffon.

So EPL players aren't mercenaries but players from Serie A are?