Manchester City are setting their sights high after their Premier League title triumph and are aiming to become the pre-eminent force in European football. A little caution is needed as they have only won one title on goal difference. Chelsea had similar ambitions to turn the world blue but achieved mixed results. There is also the question of the financial fair play rules to which I will devote a separate post.
Manchester City are setting their sights high after their Premier League title triumph and are aiming to become the pre-eminent force in European football. A little caution is needed as they have only won one title on goal difference. Chelsea had similar ambitions to turn the world blue but achieved mixed results. There is also the question of the financial fair play rules to which I will devote a separate post.
City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak said, ‘Let’s forget about this typical City [tag], there is no typical City. This is a new team, a new era and a club that wants to win more than anything. United have set the benchmark. What they have accomplished in the last 20 years is incredible and sets the benchmark for any club in the world in terms of success.’
He continued, ‘As a club we look at teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, AC Milan and Bayern Munich, what they represent to their cities, to their communities, what they have achieved over many years and these are the benchmarks. This is only one step in that direction. It is only one step. We still have a very long way to go.’
When Chelsea won their first league title in 50 years in 2005, their chief executive, Peter Kenyon, said the mission was ‘to turn the world blue’ as part of a ten year plan. We are now near the end of year nine, and although Chelsea have won many trophies, it is hardly domination. Of course, it will all look better if they win the Champions League title, but if they lose to Bayern they will not even be in the competition next season.
City think they can learn from Chelsea’s mistakes. Arguably Chelsea have not made as much progress towards self-sufficiency as they hoped. They have remained reliant on the wealth of Roman Abramovich, but his impatience has led to managerial instability and made it more difficult to achieve long-term goals.
After all the years without a title, the delight of City fans is understandable and some triumphalism is excusable. Even many United fans would admit that they have not been at their scintillating best this season and have often had to rely on their ability to grind out results, often late in the game.
The rivalry between the two sides of Manchester is likely to be at the centre of the Premiership battle for the next two years. This poses a big challenge for other top teams like Arsenal, who may lose Van Persie to the Etihad, and Chelsea. Have Spurs reached a peak? Can Newcastle sustain their challenge? Will Everton finally find an investor?
It all suggests that the Premier League remains the most fascinating one in the world and a significant contributor to Britain’s international profile and economy.