EXTRA TIME
WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
Move over, Roman. Here comes a richer investor.
Soon after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra agreed to sell Manchester City to the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG), the new owner promptly flexed its financial muscles.
City slapped Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in the face by snatching Brazil foward Robinho, who had long been chased by Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, for a British record fee of 32.5 million.
City's 11th hour huge bid for Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov was accepted by Spurs but the player preferred a move to Manchester United.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, one of the richest men in the world who took over Chelsea in 2003, should feel embarrassed by his club's failure to sign Robinho.
During the close season, the Blues spent a very small sum by their own standard for two players - 16m on Jose Bosingwa and 8m on Deco.
Robinho has been criticised by several people including Pele for his "greed" and even his mother Marina was quoted as saying that she had no idea why her son chose City,
At the time when Marina made the comment, she might not have knows that her son is going to receive in the region of US$300,000 (around 10 million baht) a week.
Concerned parties might have cited City's new financial power and their ambitions to persuade Robinho to join the English club.
Shortly after landing Robinho, Sulaiman Al Fahim, who represents the ADUG, said his group wanted to make Man City the biggest club in the world.
It plans to create a "dream team" and raid the January transfer market for Berbatov, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kaka, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres for a combined fee of 500m.
The group wants to win the English Premiership next season and the Champions League the following year.
City have been in the shadow of Man U for decades. They have not won anything since 1976 when it clinched the League Cup.
The Blues last won the league crown in 1968. But the achievement was eclipsed by Man U who became the first English club to win the European crown that season.
With their current squad, City are not likely to be a contender for the league title, although the Blues - like every other team in the Premier League - may be able to win a Cup.
The arrival of Robinho may only make City look more lively up front and become a decent force. Robinho will team up with fellow new signings Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The 24-year-old Brazilian is a not great player who can turn an average side into a major force overnight. He was not even a starter at Real Madrid and his price tag is exaggerated.
The money from the ADUG came just a bit too late. Had they taken over City a month earlier, City could have become a genuine contender this season.
As for Thaksin, who bought City last year, he is still popular to a degree among City fans who see him as a saviour. The club went from a relegation contender to become a top-10 side in the Premier League last term.
With his assets frozen, Thaksin might have had no choice but to sell his stake in the club to "make a living." He fled to Britain last month to escape corruption charges in Thailand, claiming that he could not be assured of a fair trial.
When the takeover bid, believed to be in the region of 200m to 220m, is complete, Thaksin will make a handsome profit.
He bought City for 80m and spent around the same amount for players. That means he should make around 40m to 60m in profit in just over one year.
Now Thaksin, one of the main targets of the protesting People's Alliance for Democracy, does not have to be in the spotlight, he does not need City as his publicity tool.
He should know that he should keep a low profile when the political situation in his home country is simmering.
Wanchai Rujawongsanti is Sports Editor, Bangkok Post.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Next
