Can City emulate Chelsea?

Before Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea, the London club, situated in one of the trendier spots in the West End, was better known for its fashionable supporters rather than any substantial accumulation of silverware.

The Russian's arrival changed all that, at least on the trophy front. He started off by buying a complete squad full of world-class talent. More importantly, he backed that up by hiring the best young manager in the business in Jose Mourinho, without whose innate tactical nous Chelsea might not have had the success they did from 2004 to '06.

Manchester City appear to be adopting a similar model. With Arabian petrodollars to back them up, they are in a position to - theoretically, at least - outbid every other team in the English Premier League, including Chelsea.

However, despite having all that cash to spend, they haven't yet been able to hire a bona fide top-liner. Rejections from Kaka in January and John Terry in the past week would've hurt. City's biggest challenge over the next season or two would appear to be to do well enough to start attracting the bigger stars who, at this stage, prefer one of the Big Four.

What City do have in Mark Hughes is a good young manager who has the potential to become their long-sought messiah. After successful stints with Wales and Blackburn Rovers, much is expected of 'Sparky' at Eastlands.

The Arab sheikhs have passed the first test of their credibility by resisting the urge to sack Hughes after a relatively disappointing 2008-09 season. Such a knee-jerk reaction would've been more than harmful. If City are to make a sustained attempt to join the Big Boys, managerial stability will be essential. The example of Alex Ferguson's longevity at their cross-town rivals is one they would do well to try and emulate.

Already, City appear to have won the opening battle of wits with United. The well thought out poster of Carlos Tevez, decked in City blue, welcoming visitors to Manchester, has prickled Ferguson. That's a sure-fire sign that the United manager is worried about City, whatever he might say to the contrary. Hughes strikes me as the quiet but intelligent sort of chap who, whilst he might not engage Ferguson in the verbal jousting at which the latter has few equals, might well end up being a more worthy adversary than Rafa Benitez has proven to be in the mind-games stakes. Mancunians are in for some fun in the forthcoming season!

On a more serious note, do City have the cattle to mount a credible challenge and break into the Top Four, for which a Champions' League spot is the enticing reward?

At first glance - and a second and third, for that matter - they appear to have a surfeit of strikers. Tevez might well find, to his consternation, that it'll be more difficult to find a regular starting berth in blue than in red. It's at the back that City appear to be a tad vulnerable. Shay Given is one of the better 'keepers in the EPL but the defence in front of him doesn't inspire too much confidence. Micah Richards' progress has stalled somewhat alarmingly over the past year and Richard Dunne isn't getting any younger. Terry would've been a great acquisition but Kolo Toure, the latest mooted target, will, if he arrives, provide much-needed solidity.

Gareth Barry, a poor man's Claude Makelele, should, nevertheless, provide an adequate shield in front of the back four and there's no lack of creativity further up-field. Stephen Ireland is a busy little player who's still improving and I reckon Shaun-Wright Phillips could have a break-out season if he stays fit. There's no shortage of options up front, of course: Pick two or three from Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Bellamy, Benjani and Bojinov and hope they're all satisfied with the game-time they're getting!

Despite being a lifelong United supporter, I've always had a soft spot for City. Indeed, I'd go as far as to say they'd be my 'second' team. It's no surprise then, that I wish them well and hope they can challenge the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool for a spot in the top four - I don't think they're quite in United's or Chelsea's league just yet.

Good luck, Sparky!