Mark Hughes has warned fans that Manchester City will
not be able to instantly replicate the success of
Chelsea.
Following the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, City are
now able to compete financially with any club in the world and many
have likened the situation to that at Stamford Bridge when Roman
Abramovich arrived in 2003.
But while Chelsea won the title in only the second season after
the Russian billionaire’s arrival, Hughes believes it could take
longer to see City competing at that level.
“People will inevitably look at the Chelsea situation and
compare our model to theirs, but ours is a little bit different,”
he said.
“Chelsea were winning trophies before Roman Abramovich bought
the club. They had been in the Champions League semi-final.
“We are starting from a position below that, so maybe it will
take longer but, if we can get the right people through the door,
who is to say where we can go and how quickly?”
Robinho is the first superstar to arrive at Eastlands and could
make his debut on Saturday when City host Chelsea, but Hughes says
he is most excited about the return of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
“I am really pleased with all the new signings, but Shaun in
particular,” he said.
“He has had an immediate impact and I am sure he will have a
huge effect on the crowd on Saturday when they see him again in a
blue shirt at the City of Manchester Stadium.”