Sheikh Mansour’s blueprint for success at Manchester City could cost rivals dear
A director of one of the traditional top four clubs was recently given a very special mission: find out what budget Manchester City have – and whether they intend to continue spending.
He came back with, for his club and the rest of the Premier League, and possibly eventually Europe, bad news.
Not only had City spent a cool £325 million on new players in the two years under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan – in addition to buying the club for £210 million in August 2008 – but that figure was actually significantly under what had been budgeted for in Abu Dhabi.
It was discovered by the director that Sheikh Mansour had earmarked around £500 million alone for transfer deals – net of any receipts from sales that the club achieved during that time. The surplus of that money is still there, to be spent, if the right players can be found.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may have called it "kamikaze spending" but there is no concern from the sheikh who recently took in his first match, the 3-0 home victory over Liverpool.
Indeed he and his associates regard the whole City project as not just a sporting but, more importantly, a marketing exercise to spread the name of Abu Dhabi and acquire positive headlines around the world through the club's success.
It's why there was so much nervousness around the ham-fisted sacking of Mark Hughes as manager last December because the decision and the way it was handled was reported so negatively. Abu Dhabi made headlines but they weren't the kind they liked.
Things have settled down and with it has come a shift in strategy. City had looked at the Chelsea model – with owner Roman Abramovich attempting to acquire ready-made world superstars when he took over in 2003 only to have his fingers burned with money wasted on the likes of Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu – and made bids for Kaka and Samuel Eto'o.
With the failure to get the big names – bar arguably Carlos Tévez – there came the decision that City should invest in young emerging talent such as Mario Balotelli alongside a British core including Adam Johnson and James Milner.
Once they reach their targets – Champions League football, the Premier League title – the big names might arrive. There is, certainly, the money there and it doesn't sound like it's going to dry up either.
Leeds United are just as big as Manchester City - Clayton
Adam Clayton, Leeds United’s midfield signing from Manchester City, believes his new club is just as big as the one he has just left!
Although Leeds only won promotion to the Championship in May and Premier League club Manchester City are awash with cash, Clayton has no regrets over the move.
The Manchester-born youngster failed to make a first- team appearance for his local club but played 28 league games while on loan at Carlisle last season. He said: "Everything at Leeds is geared up to the Premier League – the stadium, the facilities, the tremendous atmosphere and the fans. If we keep fighting for every point, I think we can be there or thereabouts this season.
"Leeds is a massive club – just as big as Manchester City. It is definitely a place where I can learn and get better as a player."
Clayton, 21, signed a three-year contract on converting his loan spell at Elland Road into a permanent trans-fer earlier this week.
The England Under-20 international is keen to force his way into the first team but has Jonny Howson and Neil Kilkenny currently barring his way.
WAGS OF THE DAY
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TRANSFER BOLLOX
Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale was the subject of a "big-money" bid over the summer, according to Wales manager John Toshack. Daily Mirror
Spartak Moscow are ready to offer Yuri Zhirkov a route out of Chelsea after Russia coach Dick Advocaat warned the defender he must be playing regular football to feature for his country. Daily Mail
Former England Under-21 defender Chris Riggott, who was released by Middlesbrough in the summer, is having a trial at Cardiff. Daily Mail
Tottenham have been told to make a "better offer" for SuperSport United's South Africa international defender Bongani Khumalo. Daily Mail
Tottenham keeper Carlo Cudicini could be loaned out to a Championship club when the window opens on Tuesday for Football League clubs. The 36-year-old is third choice at Spurs and Middlesbrough are monitoring the situation. Talksport
Nigerian defender Danny Shittu, 30, could get the chance to reboot his career with a move to Celtic after being released by Bolton.
Full story: Daily Record
England fly-half Danny Cipriani has thrown his rugby union future into doubt after travelling to the United States for a trial with Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids. the Times
OTHER BOLLOX
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return to English football with Aston Villa after holding talks with the club's owner Randy Lerner. Daily Mail
But former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been ruled out of the running for the vacant managerial post at Villa Park. the Sun
Defender Jamie Carragher can savour the prospect of at least another three seasons at Anfield after opening talks on a new Liverpool contract. Daily Mail
After Premier League 25-man squads announced, we introduce the top-flight kids from ... Fame!
The new Barclays Premier League rules, which forced clubs to submit 25-man squad lists on Wednesday, are designed to give youth a chance.
Many teams did not take up their full allocation of 25, adding a lengthy list of players aged 21 and under to their basic squads instead. Sportsmail identifies 20 young players you could see at a Premier League ground this season.
Arsenal
Havard Nordtveit, 20, defender, Norway
A mobile centre back who is comfortable on the ball and signed for Arsenal three years ago in a deal worth up to £2million. Has been out on loan in Spain, Norway and Germany but caught the eye during pre-season games.
Aston Villa
Eric Lichaj, 21, defender, USA
Comfortable anywhere along the back-four and with experience from playing in every defensive position for Kevin MacDonald in the reserves. Was handed his first-team debut at Rapid Vienna in the Europa Cup play-off.
Birmingham
Nathan Redmond, 16, midfield The second-youngest player ever to appear for City - at just 34 days older than Trevor Francis - when he made his debut in the Carling Cup victory over Rochdale. He has been likened to Ashley Young and Aaron Lennon.
Blackburn
Josh Morris, 18, defender/midfield
A versatile left-sided prospect who is renowned for his prowess at set-pieces and already has some spectacular goals to his name.
Blackpool
Mark Halstead, 20, goalkeeper
Rated as one of the brightest prospects in the country, he was loaned out to non-League Hyde United last season after facing Everton in a pre-season friendly and is tipped to apply real pressure on Matty Gilks for the first-team jersey.
Bolton
Tom Eaves, 18, striker Signed on a three-year deal from Oldham this summer, two weeks after the 6ft 4in striker had scored a hat-trick against Bolton in a friendly.
Chelsea
Josh McEachran, 17, midfield
Has been at the club since he was eight and is a stylish midfield pass-and-mover who was integral to Chelsea's FA Youth Cup win last season and England's European triumph at Under 17 level.
Everton
Shane Duffy, 18, defender, Republic of Ireland
Centre-back now recovered after almost losing his life on international duty when colliding with a keeper and being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. Made his comeback ahead of schedule for the reserves last week.
Fulham
Alexander Kacaniklic, 19, left winger, Sweden
Recruited as part of the deal that took Paul Konchesky to Liverpool on transfer deadline day. Broke into the Liverpool reserve side last season and has a sweet left foot.
Liverpool
Daniel Pacheco, 19, midfield, Spain
Left-footed attacking player with superb touch and eye for a pass. Brought to Anfield by Rafa Benitez, but new manager Roy Hodgson appears to rate him just as highly after awarding him a new three-year contract.
Manchester City
John Guidetti, 18, striker, Sweden
Showed his potential with 13 goals in as many games for City's Under-18s and a hat-trick on his debut for the reserves in March.
Manchester United
Corry Evans, 20, defender/ midfield, Northern Ireland
Can play in the centre of midfield or in central defence, like his older brother Jonny, and is a regular in United's reserves. He also has a handful of senior international caps for Northern Ireland.
Newcastle
Haris Vuckic, 18, midfield, Slovenia
An attacking player who has attracted interest from Manchester United and AC Milan. Becoming a strapping lad, who can play wide or upfront.
Stoke
Matthew Lund, 19, midfield
A product of Crewe's highly-rated youth academy, Lund's potential £430,000 fee had to be set by a tribunal when he moved to Stoke last summer. A combative central midfielder who is good in the air.
Sunderland
Jack Colback, 20, midfield
He had a great loan spell with Roy Keane at Ipswich last term, where he was voted the players' player of the year. He marked his Sunderland debut with a red card in May, but is regarded as a talented ball player.
Tottenham
Harry Kane, 17, striker
An England Under 17 international, he scored 18 in 22 matches for his club's Under 18 team last season and knocked in another five this week as a young Tottenham reserve side smashed eight past Crystal Palace.
West Bromwich
Sam Manton, 18, midfield He was loaned to Icelandic side FA Haukar during the summer to continue his footballing education. The Stourbridge youngster made his debut against Leyton Orient in the Carling Cup, picking up the man-of-the-match award.
West Ham
Cristian Montano, 18, striker, Colombia
Moved to London as a boy and joined West Ham's under 12s before progressing through the ranks. Top scorer for the Academy team last season, he signed his first professional deal in the summer and, modelling himself on Faustino Asprilla, has pledged his international future to the country he was born in after being invited to train with Colombia's senior team.
Wigan
Jordan Mustoe, 19, midfield
A former Liverpool trainee, who plays on the left and broke into the Wigan first team squad at the end of last season. Manager Roberto Martinez has high hopes for him, and a number of the youth team who signed senior contracts in the summer.
Wolves
Johnny Gorman, 17, winger, Northern Ireland
So highly rated by Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington that he is in his country's full squad for the double header against Slovenia and Italy. The former Manchester United Academy trainee already boasts three full caps to his name, but combines playing with studying for his A levels at Wolves.
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