• Premier League

Manchester City chairman rules out summer spree

ESPN staff
May 19, 2011
Khaldoon al-Mubarak is convinced Manchester City already have the squad to challenge for major honours © Getty Images
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Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has warned the club's fans not to expect another influx of big-name arrivals during the close season, stating: "It won't be like last summer."

City spent unprecedented levels of money to bring in the likes of Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and David Silva, and Roberto Mancini justified his purchases by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup.

Having secured a place at Europe's top table, it was expected that City would now use Champions League football to lure a host of top names to Eastlands. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xavi have all been linked, but Khaldoon insists the club will only tinker with the current squad.

"It won't be like last summer, or the summer before," he said on City's official website. "What you will see this year is strengthening the squad in areas that we feel require more depth. "We don't need quantity, as today we have quality. We just need a couple of players."

Much has been made of the future of Carlos Tevez, with Thursday's newspapers claiming the Argentinian is not happy at Mancini's declaration that he will stay at the club. However, Khaldoon believes City are now set up to cope regardless of individual departures.

"I feel strongly a winning mentality is coming into the team," he said. "We have an incredible squad with so many talented individuals and a lot of heart in that squad.

"We have an incredible foundation for incredible years ahead."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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