Can City breakup the token top four?

Real Madrid’s enormous cheque book barely seems to be closed before club president - not to mention multi millionaire - Florentino Perez, begins to get itching finger syndrome. The story isn’t that different over here in England, with Sulaiman Al Fahim and the Abu Dhabi group matching, if not topping, the Spanish sides ludicrous bids.

But Mark Hughes and his wealthy entourage are coming away empty handed, making do with the scraps. Why though, are a club with limitless funds not attracting the big names?

It’s simple, City are not a big side, not saying that over time they won’t be but until they are regulars in Europe and are amongst the Premier League elite then they are not going to attract the likes of Ronaldo and Kaka to the City of Manchester.

City have made the comical claim that they are the side to break the mould at the top of the table this season, but words are just words and well, actions speak louder. When looking through the squad, it strikes me that it lacks any real heart.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and of course Liverpool all have a great team spirit throughout the side, with players willing to go that extra mile for each other. Where City have great individuals with extraordinary ability, there is a sense that they lack the team closeness of their rivals.

Hughes has done remarkably well with the signings he has managed to get his paws on, with Gareth Barry, Shay Given and Roque Santa Cruz all expected to form a new City line up.

Barry’s move away from Villa Park was inevitable, despite Villa’s form picking up speed in recent seasons. The destination of his departure was reported to be Merseyside, not the 30 mile detour to the blue side of Manchester. While it is clear that Barry needs to be playing European football to ensure his permanent role in the heart of England’s midfield, it is unclear therefore why he opted for City.

It might turn out that they do break the mould of the token top four come the end of the season, but the solution isn’t in a quick money fix scheme, although it worked for another wealthy businessman at a certain London club.

With the constant rumour that Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o will be wearing the sky blue jersey next season, they will no doubt be a force to reckon with. Last season taught City that consistency is the key to success and if they are to find the 20 or so points that left them flagging behind the elite, then they must learn their lesson quickly.

Now that Shay Given has settled in, not that a goalkeeper of his calibre needed to, and the hopeful English trio of Micah Richards, Shaun Wright Phillips and Wayne Bridge all eager to be a part of South Africa 2010, City do have the potential to break the mould, but just not yet.

If Carlos Tevez and Eto’o do arrive at Eastlands then they will be one of the most attacking sides in the Premier League, but it will take some time for the team to gel with this season being a kind of ‘get to know each other’ year, but the season after? well that’s a different story all together.