By DPA,
London: New money takes on newer and even more money this weekend as the Premier League’s richest club, Manchester City, test themselves against leaders Chelsea, the club which started the whole financial revolution.
On paper, it’s a mis-match, with Chelsea five points clear of champions Manchester United at the top and City seventh, 14 points behind and on a run of seven straight Premier League draws.
In reality, though, it’s a fascinating battle in financial terms for City have usurped Chelsea as the country’s richest club thanks to the seemingly bottomless pockets of Sheikh Mansour and Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.
The new owners spent more than 100 million pounds on new players last summer, including the likes of Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor, joining Brazil star Robinho, who was among their first signings.
Mansour’s fortune dwarfs that of Roman Abramovich, whose takeover of Chelsea helped to transform them, almost immediately, to league champions.
After three years dominated by Manchester United, Chelsea have got themselves back on top this season under new manager Carlo Ancelotti and City have been unfavourably compared to their London rivals after a stuttering start to this season.
Seven straight draws have led some to question the future of Mark Hughes as manager but the Welshman said those who expected City to be on top immediately needed something of a reality check.
“We are still very much where we thought we would be at this stage,” Hughes said this week.
“We’ve only been beaten once but there’s a feeling we should have more points on the board. We can’t dwell on that, we have to look forward.
“We’re being judged on the money we’ve spent. But as a group we will get stronger as the season progresses. The quality and the strength in depth will allow us to do that.”
United will be looking to take advantage of any slip-up from Chelsea by winning at West Ham United Saturday.
Like City, the champions reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup in midweek – the two will clash in the last four – and Darron Gibson, the two-goal hero against Tottenham, is pressing for a place in the side.
United will also have Sir Alex Ferguson back in the dug-out after the manager completed a touchline ban. But West Ham will be gunning for an upset.
Striker Guillermo Franco, who has scored three goals in six appearances for his new club, said facing United was a dream come true.
“Manchester United is a big game, a good test for us,” he said. “I have played at Old Trafford and I know what to expect. They are a strong team, but I think it is a good match for us to play.
“We will have no fear and will approach it with the right attitude. They are a strong team but we have to believe we can win.”
Arsenal will be out to right their ship after three defeats in four games by seeing off Stoke City at the Emirates, while fifth-placed Liverpool try to build on their two recent wins by claiming all three points at Blackburn Rovers.
At the other end of the table, bottom side Portsmouth take on Burnley, while Wolves, second from bottom, face third-from-bottom Bolton Wanderers.