Yaya Toure believes Manchester City can be bigger and better than the mighty Barcelona within two years.
A routine win over Notts County in an FA Cup replay in front of a sparse crowd of 27,276 might not be the best platform from which to make such a bold declaration of intent.
While City made light work of their League One opponents, Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to five points with a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp, watched by 85,000 fans.
But with City's financial might and ambition to get to the same level as European heavyweights like Barca, Manchester United and Real Madrid, Toure believes they will be a major force within the next few years.
"At the moment you can't compare Barcelona with City because Barca are at the top and have top quality players," said Toure, who played at the Nou Camp for three years.
"Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves, they're all fantastic.
"But City are still signing new players. In a couple of years we could maybe be better than Barcelona.
"What we need to continue to do is work hard and try to continue to improve with every game.
"I keep saying to my brother and my family that City have great players but we need to continue to work hard to become a great team."
Yaya's brother and team-mate, Kolo, hailed City's skipper Carlos Tevez as their own version of Messi, the Argentine having scored 50 goals in 73 appearances since defecting from Manchester United in the summer of 2009.
And while Yaya said such a comparison was unfair to Messi, voted the world's best player for the past two years, he acknowledged Tevez is as important to City as his Argentina compatriot is to Barca.
"I think I know what Kolo meant," said Yaya. "Carlos is a really important player for this club, you can say that.
"But I don't think you can compare him with Messi though, because Messi an amazing player.
"Carlos is amazing too, he has lots of quality and scores really important goals for us.
"He's one of the best I've played alongside. He's a fantastic player for City.
"His record is fantastic. He's typical of a top striker, he works so hard and every day he wants to improve.
"For this club, for the fans here, he's a very big player.
"But Messi is fantastic because he can beat two or three players at any moment. Even when he's quiet he's still dangerous."
With City still involved in the title race and in with a chance of success in the FA Cup and Europa League, Yaya admitted Roberto Mancini's players need to step up a gear at this stage of the season.
"We are in a good position in the cups and we are well placed for the top four," said Yaya. "Our target is to be in the Champions League next year, it's very important
for this club.
"But it will be tough to stay in there because Liverpool are coming back [up the table] and I'm sure Chelsea will be back."
City striker Mario Balotelli endured a difficult afternoon against Notts County on his first start of 2011 after being sidelined with a knee injury for six weeks.
Balotelli reacted angrily to being replaced by Tevez on the hour but Yaya said the volatile 20-year-old Italian would prove his worth between now and the end of the campaign.
"It's not easy for Mario after a long time out injured," said Yaya. "It was his first start for a while.
"Sometimes it's difficult for him. He's young. But he's a fantastic player and the team need him.
"It takes time because football here is not the same as in Italy. I feel sorry for him because he had a long-term injury.
"When you've been out for a while it's not easy but I'm totally sure he will be a top player and we need him.
"He wants to play, score and give enjoyment to the fans. I know he will be a great player for City."
Rodwell eyed by Real Madrid as Mourinho joins Manchester clubs in race to Everton star
Jose Mourinho has instructed Real Madrid spies to compile a dossier on Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.
Sportsmail revealed last week that Manchester United are preparing a £15million bid for the versatile 19-year-old, while Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Rodwell.
But the Manchester clubs are set to be joined by Real in the race after Mourinho’s intervention.
The Spanish giants have kept an eye on Rodwell since he impressed in England’s run to the European Under 21 Championships final in 2009.
Mourinho is poised to reignite the Bernabeu club’s interest after asking Madrid scouts to update him on Rodwell’s progress.
The Portuguese manager’s request underlines Rodwell’s growing reputation as one of the brightest talents in Europe.
Everton’s tight finances are making it increasingly difficult for the Merseyside club to hold on to their prized assets and it is looking increasingly likely they will listen to offers for Rodwell in the summer.
Sportsmail understands a switch to Old Trafford is Rodwell’s preferred choice should he leave Goodison Park.
Rodwell, who can play in central midfield or at centre back, came through Everton’s youth set-up and has a strong affiliation with the club.
However, he is unwilling to let emotional attachments stand in the way of a move that he feels would progress his career.
Rodwell believes joining one of the top flight’s big guns will provide him with a better platform to win silverware and break into the senior England set-up.
But, while Rodwell’s first choice is a move to Old Trafford, Manchester City’s wealth could yet dash Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of landing the youngster.
United know they will struggle to compete with their arch rivals to finance a package that would suit both Everton and Rodwell’s advisors, should City follow up their interest.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
French midfielder Samir Nasri has revealed he could quit Arsenal for Barcelona in the summer - if the Gunners win the title. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Barcelona's out-of-favour defender Gabriel Milito and hope to snap him up for free in the summer. talkSPORT
Manchester United have set their sites on CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who is retiring at the end of the season. Footylatest
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to form a dream centre-back partnership between David Luiz, who arrived from Benfica in January, and Borussia Dortmund's Serbian star Neven Subotic. talkSPORT
Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar and Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb, who is on loan at Birmingham, are both wanted by newly promoted Russian Premier League team Krasnodar.
Full story: Daily Mail
Former Liverpool and Sunderland star Djibril Cisse, now with Panathinaikos, says he will definitely leave Greece in the summer after alleging he was attacked by Olympiakos fans at the weekend.Daily Mail
Manchester United midfielder Anderson could be out for two months after suffering his second knee injury in the last 12 months in Saturday's FA Cup win over Crawley. Guardian
Former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, the most expensive British player in history, is ahead of schedule in his attempt to return to fitness after a thigh injury and could even make his Liverpool debut this weekend against West Ham. Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims forward Andrey Arshavin is close to rediscovering his best form for the Gunners after a below-par season so far. Metro
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has confirmed he is speaking to the club about signing a new contract. Metro
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says it would be "a miracle" if his side managed to finish in the top four of the Premier League for a second season running. the Guardian
Everton captain Phil Neville concedes the club's season had been "a disgrace" before Saturday's FA Cup win over Chelsea. Daily Mirror
Stoke's Matty Etherington could miss Wednesday's game against Arsenal because a jaw alignment problem is giving him back problems. The Sun
Celtic striker Gary Hooper is playing well enough to put himself into England contention, says the man who gave him his start at non-league Grays Athletic, manager Mark Stimson. (Daily Record)
Rangers' El-Hadji Diouf insists Sunday's 3-0 Old Firm defeat was a one-off and that they will still beat Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title. Daily Record
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara - currently on loan at Wolves - believes his girlfriend Danielle Lloyd, who is moving up to Birmingham with their baby son, is the key to helping him settle at the Midlands club as they battle against relegation. Daily Mirror
Scientists at the University of Portsmouth say managers who wear suits on match days and tracksuits for training inspire their players to perform better. Daily Telegraph
