Roberto Mancini is convinced that Manchester City need new signings in order to cement their position as the Premier League’s dominant side.
Despite adding to his title-winning squad with the £15 million signing of Everton’s young midfielder Jack Rodwell, the Italian boss insists that fresh blood is needed to stay ahead of the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, who have both added extensively to their squads this summer.
“We need more players.
“We have 10 days, time is very short. We now have only 20, 21 with the young players. And this year there is the African Cup [of Nations],” he told reporters.
While United have notably signed Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie, and Chelsea have blitzed the market with high-profile deals for midfielders Oscar and Eden Hazard, Mancini has been frustrated in the market as City attempt to rein in their spending sprees. Missing out on Van Persie to rival Sir Alex Ferguson has irked Mancini in particular, with United now boasting a forward line to match City’s.
While Mancini’s words may be an attempt to loosen the purse strings of club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, City captain Vincent Kompany is confident of further glory, suggesting that the league success of last season may be a catalyst for further trophies.
“People were asking what effect the FA Cup [triumph in 2011] was going to have on us, having ended the club’s 35-year wait for a trophy.
“If the FA Cup had an impact on us winning the league, then I hope winning the league will have an impact on us winning things in Europe. But everything in time.”
Kompany also stated that while last season’s Champions League campaign may have ended at the group stages for City, they will improve on that this season.
“You know, last year was our first participation in the Champions League and I’m convinced we will have a better run this year – but everything in time.
“At the moment, we have to prove ourselves to England. Hopefully, Europe and the world will come later, but it has happened in the right way so far – FA Cup, League and then we’ll see what we achieve.”
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