• Premier League

Hamann hits out at City's transfer policy

Soccernet staff
July 30, 2010
Roberto Mancini has been busy in the transfer market all summer © Getty Images
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Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has criticised the club's transfer policy, claiming that the instability caused by their extensive recruitment will prevent Roberto Mancini from mounting a title challenge.

City have spent vast amounts of money already this summer with Aleksandar Kolarov, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng all moving to Eastlands. If, as expected, Mario Balotelli joins them then City's outlay will have exceeded £100 million.

Hamann left City in 2009, one year after Sheikh Mansour orchestrated the purchase of the club, and the German feels that spending lavishly will not bring City the trophies they desire. Instead, Hamann believes that the club must strive for some consistency in the squad.

"They should have finished in the top four last season and they didn't," Hamann said. "There is every chance they will not finish there again because Liverpool will be better next season and Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton will also be up there.

"I don't see City as title contenders. They need to bring some continuity to the club and stick with the players they have got. They have got to choose them carefully and buy the right ones. But if they keep doing what they are at the moment I don't see them challenging Manchester United or Chelsea.

"They have a turnover of 10 to 15 players every season and if they keep doing this they are not going anywhere. You need consistency and continuity at a football club. I don't agree with what they are doing now.

"City have got bundles to spend and they need to spend wisely. I am not sure if they are doing that. If you don't do things right off the field it is hard to get them right on it. That transpires to the whole set-up including the backroom staff and doctors. The City fans will want to see new arrivals - but big names don't win you games or win you titles.

"If you look at the first XI on paper, the longest-serving player has only been there for two years. They missed a massive trick when Richard Dunne left. They have paid a lot of money for all the others and let him go. But I still think he is better than all the central defenders they have got at the club."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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