Sheikh up from the Arabs

Sep 5 2008

ALBION’s search for new investment during the summer was put into perspective this week when the Abu Dhabi Group bank-rolled their way into Manchester City.

Promising to spend up to £150million on a player, City signed Robinho for an initial £32.5million on transfer deadline day.

The Baggies, by contrast, shattered their transfer record a week earlier by bringing in Borja Valero for £4.7million, begging the question how clubs like Albion can possibly challenge for honours in the future.

Albion now have players of 17 different nationalities in their ranks because it is more cost-effective to bring in proven talent from overseas’ rather than sign home-grown players. “It is becoming more difficult because everybody has got more money,” said Tony Mowbray.

“Even Everton, who are pleading poverty at the moment, spent £15m on one player. Villa can spend £12m on a footballer.

“We can compete on any given day and I’m pretty sure we will beat one of the teams spending a lot of money this season but we still might finish 20 points behind them.

“Look at Manchester City – it’s great for them but they have got to start winning football matches and no match is easy. That is always the thing in football because if you manage a big club the expectation is that you win every week.”