Paul Merson - Sky Sports Expert

Money talks

Merson looks forward to City crashing the top four

Posted: 04th September 2008 16:53

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Robinho

Robinho: the first of many?

It would be much better if a manager could choose his director of football in the same way that he chooses his coaches.

Paul Merson
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It's been a phenomenal week for Manchester City. When was the last time you saw Chelsea get gazumped?

If the new owners can get Robinho there, who knows who else could end up at Eastlands? It's a great statement of intent.

When he was lifting up the shirt, I'm sure I heard Robinho say "I thought we played in red?", but apart from that I think it's a great move.

Pele's had a go at him, but I think he'll be able to go to City and play with real freedom. Robinho's got nothing to lose at a club that has hardly set the world alight in the last few years and I really believe he'll thrive at City.

I still reckon City will finish between fifth and seventh this year because they'll be too far behind by the time the next transfer window comes around but they could have a chance of breaking into the top four next season.

They may have to wait until the summer before they can throw too much money around. They've been talking about signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi and Kaka and as silly as that sounds, money talks.

Tottenham have proved that. At the end of the season you'd have said there'd be no chance of them selling their best two players - but both of them went because the money was right.

I'm not sure about Ronaldo because if push came to shove United would rather sell him to Real Madrid, but if the money was right then I'm sure they could get Cesc Fabregas off Arsenal. Apparently they bid £50million for Fernando Torres on Monday, but they'll need to offer more than that if they want to get him.

I think it's exciting for the Premier League because all of a sudden we might see a different name in the top four and that will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge scare.

It's exciting because the Premier League is the best league in the world and if the richest people in the world want to be part of it, I think it speaks volumes.

Hammers blow

I hope City's new owners concentrate on buying the players and leave the manager to get on with his job.

If they interfere too much it can cause problems as we've seen at West Ham this week. It was very difficult for Alan Curbishley to have players sold from underneath him and you've got to respect the man for walking out with his dignity.

He's a good manager and it's a shame for him after such a good start to the season. He knows the game inside out and after some of his best players were sold he'll have wondered how far he could take the team.

He hasn't sold the players but if they start losing matches then he'll be the one to get the blame. So fair play to him for coming to that decision.

I think West Ham were frightened when they almost went down a couple of years ago and they started throwing lorryloads of money around to make sure that didn't happen again. Now the owners have realised that wasn't the best way forward and are trying to cut back.

It seems a lot of football clubs are now owned by business people who are used to being able to put money into a company and then telling people what to do.

Football's completely different to most businesses. Owners need to put their money in, be quiet and let the manager get on with things - but obviously that's difficult when people are putting huge amounts of money on the line.

Tears on the Toon

Things were always going to end in tears at Newcastle as soon as Dennis Wise arrived there.

You can't blame Wise for taking that job, but it was always going to be a problem for Keegan, especially when it comes to buying and selling players.

I think the ultimate decision should lie with the manager because he's the person who gets the blame when results go belly-up.

Any manager can accept it if he has chosen his players and fails, but it would be hard to take if you've had players forced upon you.

None of the top six clubs in the Premier League last season have a director of football and I find it hard to see how it can work.

It would be much better if a manager could choose his director of football in the same way that he chooses his coaches. The two of them need to be able to talk to each other and have faith in one another.

You've seen it at Reading where Steve Coppell asks for the players and Nick Hammond sorts it all out for him. That allows Coppell to get on with managing the team and it's a good arrangement.

But that's not how it works at Newcastle and I'd be surprised if both Keegan and Wise stayed after everything that has gone on this summer.

Comments

Neil Bradshaw (wigan fan) (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

I have already vented my frustration about Keegan and Curbishley both feeling the need to resign but like Paul Merson says, none of the top 6 last season has a Director of Football, so unless its a matter of confidence and trust in the manager then what would possess a club to think this way might bring them success. Its crazy. Steve Bruce has recently said he speaks to other managers around the league and they are all envious of his position because he has nobody interfering in his management of the club. Yes he may way have to explain certain decisions but Whelan allows him to make those decisions because at the end of the day he has chosen him, after interviews, to be in charge of his football club and make all the decisions to bring success to the club. So if a small club like us can do that, why can't a big club like Newcastle?! And West Ham?! There is far far far too much money around in football these days. Less money, more passion. Then we'll start seeing managers lasting in jobs for a lengthy period again as their clubs stick by them while they get it right. Nowadays, 3 defeats at the beginning of the season and you're a gonner, whether you have just been appointed or not! Its gone crazy. As for City, well its exciting I must admit, that they have been rewarded for all their passionate support over the years, going down to the third flight etc etc with this massive take over. But it is also quite saddening that the simple fact of the matter is without the money, City wouldn't be anywhere near the top 4 for years yet. So this basically says, the only way any club is going to have a chance, or a sniff of success is if a multi-billionnaire invests and spends stupid amounts. How sad for the game is that. Buying success. That used to just be Chelski, but now its a handful of teams while Boro and Wigan etc snap up loan deals and free transfers. Citys owner is like a child with subbuteo game, he'll get bored.

Posted 01:02 9th September 2008

Andrew Cameron (Liverpool fan) says...

I personally think its rediculous how all other fans outside the top 4 condem them for spendin money and say they buy there way to the top with investment. apart from chelski this is totally unfair Man Yoo built today's team on there sucess and the money brought in from the 90's which was done through home growen players, beckham etc. Liverpool have done it based on there history and fan base, u just need to look at there teams that won the UEFA cup and Champions League to no this. Arsenal have got 2 where they were through there manager, how much did theiry Henry cost them?? they have just built on there teams season after season and mostly used money from champions league and sponser's. west ham hav a billionare owner and where r they??? in hard times, Newcastle 2. i think alot of it is down to managers 2, how many mangers hav man utd liverpool and arsenal had in the past five years??? compared to newcastle fulham etc and i think chelski would hav done alot better had they stuck with Mourinho. so to all that says top 4 buy success well mayb they do but its through consistancy, history then success that they do it. Mana dabi will not get near top 4 cos top players nowadays want 2 play for a club with history and reputation i.e Torres, he will not go there cos he accually loves the club he plays for and has morales unlike Robinho.

Posted 10:24 8th September 2008

Windell Wignal (Arsenal fan) says...

This is for Andy Watson Man City Fan: You said that the top four has spent all this money I think you mean Man UNITED cChelsea and Liverpool and Spurs..Because If I can remeber correctly the most expensive player Arsenal has ever bought was Jose Antonio Reyes for about 17 million.and hey where is he now? United will usually spend big on one player that they want to add to their core player that come up............so it comes down to Chelsea, liverpool and Spurs spending all this money.and i guess City now..........the bottom line is that I agree with Wenger you just don,t go buy player because the fans and media say so or because the media say so..........we look at an aging Chelsea and liverpool squads while Arsenal have 3 player over 30 Almunia, Gallas and Silvetre......plus we have maybe the best youth team in the PL.........SO TALK ABOUT SPENDING..............top players want to play in the CL and not the UEFA cUP

Posted 05:35 8th September 2008

Bob Ack (Newcastle United fan) says...

If Newcastle do not get a new owner the only way the situation on match day will settle is if the team start winning games evry week and play attractive football. The two Argies brought in Jonas and Collocine are brilliant. If Kevin did not know about these two then Wise did us proud. Kevin should not have resigned he should have let Ashley waste his money on players then not select them.. This would have shown where the power really was,

Posted 17:35 7th September 2008

Trevor Lynes (Everton fan) says...

Just an observation really; it seems that two distinct eras in football have emerged..the 1st being the old division one where teams won titles without fantastic amounts of money and even Leeds Utd and Ipswich won the top title.Fans could have realistic punts on their side winning the league and equal playing field competition prevailed...now is the second era where competition is confined to a very few clubs having a realistic chance of winning the league and the remaining clubs vie for either 5th place or survival...in the 1st era Chelsea were a joke club and Man Utd were just contenders with no more chance of winning the league than Everton...now the whole emphasis has shifted and I really do not think the value in prestige today for a team winning the league is as great as it was in the first era...The country that invented the game is unfortunately eliminating real competition from its league and I fervently hope an Einstein comes up with a way of stopping this ruinous trend...What is your opinion, do you agree with me ?

Posted 13:31 7th September 2008

Rozz Verburg (Manchester City fan) says...

Spot on Merse...on Kegan sad to see this great guy wasted on the side lines again but as you say...the great return was not to be as soon as Wisey was taken on board. As a City Fan spending 3 months in S: America the financial "boost news" is graet to follow from afar and will make coming home in November more welcoming & in time for the derby. Lets face it the great thing about football is that nobody really knows "outcomes" before they happen but what we do know at this present time is the excitment for the coming season has increased and if this takeover completes with the fulfilled promises City have the means to move forward and unlike West Ham & Newcastle should not have to "get rid" of good players to balance the books. Everything else is pure speculation and throwing names around for publicity sake. Football is in the real world and therefore money talks and hard work counts thats why we all do the lottery most weeks. So as with any footballing commraid lets be pleased for a team that has not had much luck in recent years, remembering City have a very good team of up-coming stars in their own right along with SWP Robhino and Kompany which are the first signings in years City has made that I totally agree with apart from the great Marc Vivien-Foe who is clearly smiling down on us. "City in the mix makes for a better premiership" along with Villa,Everton,Spurs and all the other teams that could break the "big 4 stranglehold" on the league, which is getting a little boring with the same teams wining most things..so get behind change & get behind City as it could be you who next wins the lottery and "Hard work & History" won´t mean a thing to YOU or your MISSES.

Posted 06:53 7th September 2008

Niall Flynn (Liverpool fan) says...

I think every body going on about man city's new owners ruining football is rubbish. The top 4 have been doing it for the last few years 20 or 30 million pound bids. So its only right city can come in now and challenge them now. Look at Chelsea a few years ago they done nothing now there challenging for everything only because of money...... So good look to city.

Posted 16:49 6th September 2008

Paul Birkmyre (Chelsea fan) says...

As a Chelsea fan I have to acknowledge the saying... if you live by the sword then prepare to die by the sword. So good luck to Man City and I hope their fans enjoy the ride. I'd really like to see some numbers on how much the top 4 have spent over the last 5 or 6 years... not sure that you could claim Arsenal have spent a fortune as Wenger seems to be head and shoulders above the rest in terms of getting talented players without spending huge sums of cash. And Benetiz is still whinging about the money Chelsea and Man Utd have spent, but my impression is that he hasn't exactly been a miser over the past few years.

Posted 20:40 5th September 2008

Jake Sidell (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Sounds the top 4 are getting nervous. They should be and there will be more to come. Will be nice to see City tap up some Liverpool & Man U players!! It will be top 5 now, and the competition for 6th will be fierce. Will do Arsenal good to play in the UEFA cup for a few seasons. There fans will appreciate CL much more.

Posted 19:38 5th September 2008

Ian Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

Good luck to you city fans. You will need it. Money alone cannot buy success. Mark Hughes will have his work cut out for him and the expectations will be huge. Despite Chelskis millions they have failed to reach the top (2nd place doesnt count). City will not be in the top 4 anytime soon no matter who they buy. Apart from a couple of players City will need to bring in an entire new squad to compete with the top four. Manchester United fans such as myself have nothing to fear from Citys new money. The new owners wont settle for anything less than top spot within 3 seasons and if not they will be gone!

Posted 19:25 5th September 2008

Tom Barnes (Scunthorpe United fan) says...

What many people forget is that being a footballer is a job. Now imagine it on the other foot, imagine being in a 30k a year job and a company with a lower reputation admires your work and offers you 50k a year to work for them, what self respecting person would refuse it. I do not condone the high wages these players get, but it is only a short career for the most of them, the top wages going generally to those between 21 and 29. So if in that time you were offered more to put into a nest egg would you say no? I say good luck to Manchester City. And to all the Arsenal fans. You can not say either that Arsenal have not bought big, Wenger is not that shrewd a businessman with the expensive "successes" of Richard Wright, Francis Jeffers, Pascal Cygan, Stepanovs, Senderos, Wreh. And he is well on his way to ruining another promising English talent in Walcott (and Welsh Ramsey). As well as attempting to ruin the career of now or future England internationals, Hoyte, Bentley, Sidwell, Pennant.

Posted 14:22 5th September 2008

Gregor Allan (Manchester United fan) says...

A few points that you are all overlooking....Real Madrid tried to buy a team of stars and it went belly up. Yes, there is an argument that you can buy success and I fully expect City to be vying for places at Wembley, but the Premiership is about your squad. Here're the thing, if you buy all the good players, they are not happy being squad players. ANd then fail to get out their ego-laden sulk when they come off the bench...on a cold Tuesday night in Humberside! There has to be a balance of flair, graft, craft and fitness. Mark Hughes is being overlooked in all of this. I hope people do not suggest he will only do well because he has money?? Hughes is a decent manager with an outstanding pedigree and will continue to do well. That said, he was one of my tips for the Utd job when Taggart steps down...maybe Keano will take the baton? Battle on... I wish City all the very best, but feel they will finish behind Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Villa this year. It's 'Arry Redknapp I feel sorry for. Built a decent squad,sniffing around top 6 then Daddy Warbucks rolls up in his Maybach, and pumps millions into City!!! Another hurdle... united will still win the league, and Berba will come alive this year. Cantona mark II.

Posted 14:16 5th September 2008

Andy Watson (Manchester City fan) says...

What hypocrisy! We all know how much money the top four have spent over the years to maintain their status, yet the moment someone else has the good fortune to be able to match their spending power they all cry "foul" and start making for the moral high ground! Grow up!

Posted 13:10 5th September 2008

Chris Spence (Manchester United fan) says...

It's sad how every player is tarred with the same brush as the odd mercenary in the bunch. It's as most have said, the players City are after play at their club for a reason. History, the players the club already has and the managers. I'm peed off with ex pros say that if City drop enough dosh in front of these clubs and their players they won't be able to resist. More players would changing club five minutes into a new contract because another club stumped up more cash. A player could be on form and playing out of his skin, other clubs see this and as soon as possible put in a bid. And all the while these players would be going on about a dream move and kissing the badge. I believe Cesc, Torres, Villa will stay because money isn't everything. Robinho was and still is confused and may live to regret his decision.

Posted 12:43 5th September 2008

Tim Bullock (Worcester City fan) says...

Have to agree. Think that this week has spun the Premier League into a frenzy....I really think the top four have their work cut out for them now that there's this huge ambition emerging at Spurs as well as City. Can't see it being an overnight change though.....they will need a lot more world class quality in all depts before it's sustainable. Merse, I'm enjoying the column.....Keep up the great work on Saturdays......there's nothing better than a pundit who speaks like one of the lads in the pub. God bless you!

Posted 12:31 5th September 2008

Neil Warren (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Remember back in 1995 when Blackburn won the title: everyone was going on about how "they bought title!" How ridiculous that comment sounds now, given all the massive investments in numerous clubs, especially Chelski & Man City. The only way to break into the cartel of the top teams is with a huge pile of money. It was the same in '95, expect the pile of money was a lot, lot smaller. Man U, etc, had the most money before then & 'bought' the title every season. It's always been that. The one thing Blackburn had was a true fan who bought the club. Jack Walker loved the club & brought success to his small home town. I'm excited by the massive investment in the league as it will bring the top players in & break the top 4 cartel. Just lots of egg on the face of all those people who said that Blackburn bought the title when they paid a staggering £3.3 million for Alan Shearer back in the day!!!!!! £32 million for Robinho? No comparison.

Posted 12:16 5th September 2008

Adam Bates (Sunderland fan) says...

Kevin Keegan, is in all fairness not a very good manager when you loko at his record, but he gave newcastle something no one could compare too, and i thoughthe would do it again, Who wants to manage a club were they have no say in what players they buy its just stupid, the same with curbishly at west ham, he built up a brilliant reputation and made charlton a force in the prem, but he did it his way on pennies west ham shoudlv stood by him and let him do it his way he proved he could!!, Man city fans getting all excited cos they'v signed sum silly brazillian who hasnt proved he's any good anywhere let alone managing to play in england, look at the facts! Morientes Shevchenko Veron Jardel Baptista There just a few names of the many that were big stars great players came to england and got laughed at, he will probably be the same, WHY would an apparrent superstar brazillian leave MADRID for manchester!! especially the blues of manchester!! mental! Arsenal whats happend to them!! one minute goina season unbeaten and now , i dont understand there policy off getting rid of there best players its makes sense bringing in youth and giving them the chance and arsene is a legend when it comes to finding players, But why not giv english lads a chance...e.g BENTLEY UPSON WRIGHT HOYTE PENNANT jus a few names of the players he's disposed of cos they speak english ! tut tut rant over

Posted 11:58 5th September 2008

Adeel Mansha (Arsenal fan) says...

I agree that top 4 should be worried with so much money being available to a club especially a club like Arsenal who play football to its roots, but it will be down the Clubs with billionaire buyers to prove to genuine football players like Torres (Stayed with Ath Madrid when he could have left 4/5 years ago for greener pastures) Cesc/Ronaldo (Turning down Real) even Villa (choosing to stay then to move). What worked in Chelsea's case was that Ranieri had them in Champions league at the time Roman took over and that made it easier for cash loving footballers to justify selling their souls unlike Robhinio who just is in it for money and no footballing reason at all. No disrespect to City please look at the number of players Chelsea bought and sold at a loss SWP would be closer to City's recollection and no one should forget Sheva. It all comes down to what football is going to become - a fans game or a pass time for the mega rich??? Usmanov please stay away we are happy with a trophyless Gunners team if they play the way they do!

Posted 11:12 5th September 2008

John Yates (Manchester City fan) says...

So you don't think we will finish top four this year? What a surprise. We were fourth on new years day last year with a far inferior team than this one. A lack of defensive cover and not enough fire power saw us fade away in the second part of the season. This as been addressed with the signings of Zabaleta, Ben Haim, Berti and Kompany in defence and Robinho, SWP, Jo and the emergence of the amazing 18 years old Daniel Sturridge in attack. If we're around the top 4 next January the title won't be out of the question with the spending power City have, not to mention the brilliantly astute Mark Hughes at the helm.

Posted 08:45 5th September 2008

Andile Qokweni (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Paul Merson lives in a dream world if he thinks Cesc Fabregas,who has publically turned down the advances of Real Madrid,would even consider joining an outfit like Man City.Fernando Torres turned down Manchester Utd and Chelsea in order to join Rafa's Spanish revolution.Why would he then decide to leave Anfield for Man City.I think its important to highlight that the only club who found instant success after new owners with big budgets tookover was Chelsea(albeit 12 months later).That was ALL down to Mourinho, there's no doubt about that.They have won nothing since he left.I expect that trend to continue.I also think this pre-season has shown us that more than ever players are getting what they want and essentially its their decision.Hypothetically speaking if City made a 50million pound bid for Cesc/Torres/Ronaldo/Kaka/Messi and it was accepted,why in Gods name would ANY of these players who are at clubs with a rich heritage and success move to City simply for an extra 10 000 pounds.

Posted 07:56 5th September 2008

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