Mancini defends summer spending spree
Milner's £24M transfer takes City's transfer total to £126M, but manager says that's all
Timisoara, Romania Roberto Mancini has defended Manchester City against Sir Alex Ferguson's accusations of "kamikaze spending" by insisting the club is merely following a path laid down by Manchester United after the completion of James Milner's £24 million transfer from Aston Villa.
Mancini, in Romania ahead of City's Europa League play-off first-leg tie against FC Timisoara on Thursday night, said that his summer recruitment drive had now concluded — with the bill totalling a staggering pounds £126 million — following Milner's arrival at Eastlands.
Mancini's priority over the final 12 days of the transfer window will be to address the City futures of the likes of Robinho and Shay Given, with the Irish goalkeeper in 'turmoil' over whether to remain at the club or to seek first-team football elsewhere.
Yet City's mammoth spending spree, which has resulted in David Silva, Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli signing for the club this summer, has been viewed by many within the game as distorting the market and inflating player valuations to nonsensical levels.
Ferguson did not openly direct his comments at City, but kamikaze or not, Mancini claims that United have also done their share of big spending in recent years.
Mancini said: "It is not important for me [what Ferguson says]. I respect his opinion, but Manchester United, like Manchester City, have spent a lot of money in the past.
"I think that all the other teams have spent a lot of money in the past. I don't mean 15 years ago, but in the last one, two or three years.
"It is normal that, when you want to buy a good player, you have to spend money. This is the market.
"I have bought six players and, for now, I think we have finished in the market. I am very happy to have James [Milner] with us and everyone knows we have admired him for some time. He is a good player, one who can play in every position and we need that."
Milner, for his part, has immediately set his sights on winning the Premier League title with his new employers.
"[Mancini] said to me, ‘Be ready to win the Premier League', and that's my ultimate aim — that's what I want to do and why I'm here," he said.
Mancini, who at least helped trim the Eastlands wage bill by offloading Stephen Ireland as an £8 million makeweight in the Milner deal, is likely to recoup further funds before the August 31 transfer deadline.
Felipe Caicedo has left for West Ham, while Schalke, Besiktas and Fenerbahce are plotting moves for Robinho, who remains, at pounds £32.5 million, British football's most expensive signing.
The future of Given is a thorny issue for Mancini, however. The Italian had been ready to play the former Newcastle keeper against Timisoara, but with the 34 year old torn between staying and moving elsewhere, Mancini has opted instead to continue with Joe Hart in goal.
Fulham are ready to move for Given once Mark Schwarzer leaves for Arsenal, while Celtic are also monitoring his situation.
Yet despite the prospect of a lengthy spell on the bench as understudy to Hart, Given has yet to resolve his own thoughts.
A source close to Given said: "Shay is confused and torn over what to do. He only joined City 18 months ago and wanted to win things after 10 years at Newcastle. But he just wants to play and he doesn't see Mancini leaving Hart out now, even if he makes a mistake."
