• Champions League

Napoli dig at Mansour's 'toy' City

ESPN staff
November 24, 2011
Sheikh Mansour has invested huge sums into Manchester City © Getty Images
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Barely 24 hours after beating Manchester City, Napoli have put the boot into the Premier League leaders by describing them as a mere plaything of owner Sheikh Mansour.

City's Champions League future is hanging in the balance following their 2-1 loss in Naples. Their European destiny lies in the hands of others - which is the first crisis of the season for a team who are unbeaten domestically.

Mansour has ploughed in hundreds of millions of pounds to turn City into a European powerhouse, but Napoli president Antonio de Laurentiis feels it could rapidly turn sour.

"I think Sheikh Mansour just wanted a toy when he bought Manchester City," De Laurentiis said. "If they don't win something quickly, he could just go somewhere else and buy another toy.

"If Mansour would like to invest in Napoli he should invest as much as I did and get your team to improve and grow.

"Our success proves two things - perhaps money isn't everything, as even with balanced books you can still go far. And this Napoli side has a strong fibre and can give us great moments."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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