Vital City Zen: Reality Sheikh

SHEIKH MANSOUR BIN ZAHED - A COOL CAT

The due diligence is almost done with and we can expect the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) to be officially named the new owner's of Manchester City Football Club next week.

After last week's worldwide frenzy of rumour, debate and intrigue that exploded across the front and back pages following the breaking news of the Arabian takeover, this week has been noticeably calmer.

Drooling sports hacks were heavily fed last week by outrageous, football world takeover threatening statements from Dr. Sulaiman Al-Fahim, the man who fronted the ADUG deal. His gobshitery, particularly with regard to City signing all the world's best footballers had thousands of us cringeing. City's globally obsessed Executive Chairman Garry Cook chipped in with 'nothing can stop us' nonsense for good measure.

At the height of these quotes, Vital MC contacted the club highlighting our concerns for the future, particularly what could happen to the MCFC Academy and the Academy graduates currently providing the backbone to City's side.

To their credit, City Communications took our concerns straight to the club's management and reassuring statements were made by both Mark Hughes and Garry Cook (see our weekly quotes section below).

We have since begun to get a clearer picture of the man behind the takeover and his courtiers have made several statements that point towards the youth focused, steady team building strategy that many Blues have been calling for a continuation of.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zahed is reknowned throughout the Middle East as a calm character. We can expect to see much more of him once Ramadan finishes at the end of this month and Dr. Al-Fahim fades into the background.

Sheikh Mansour has sent in his own communications man Simon Pearce to weigh up the situation at Eastlands and today's Independent reported that he has already held a meeting with Mark Hughes and City's Academy guru, Jim Cassell.

A courtier close to the Sheikh spoke to the UAE's National newspaper with regard to City's reknowned youth set up: 'The importance of building further on the success of this part of the club simply cannot be overstated. Do not forget that the most successful period of Manchester United's recent history was based to a large extent on graduates of their academy.'

And with regard to the nonsense that multi millions are said to be lined up for Mark Hughes to replace his entire squad: 'In Abu Dhabi, we prefer to go about business in an understated, pragmatic and patient manner. Brashness is simply not our natural game.'

So, Ched, Ned, Kelvin, Johnno, Harty, Stuzzer, Micah, SWP, Daddy Dick and Vlad, don't pack your bags!

But Garry 'Everyone is for sale' Cook, you could be up the road...

WHAT`S IN A WORD? TOP QUOTES THIS WEEK:

"The Academy is producing top-quality players, and we are not just filling the squad as a token gesture to the work that is done at Platt Lane because the quality of players coming through is sufficient to play in the Premier League, and that is what the Academy is always going to be judged on. That will continue, and we could have the means now to enhance that operation. The Academy has been extremely successful in recent years, so with more funds behind them they could produce even better players."

- 'Bluesy' Hughes on making our own Superstars.

'Don`t forget that we have one of, if not the, best youth team in the country at Manchester City. Mark`s coaching team are committed to that model, we talk about superstar talent but you should never take away from the fabric of the club, and that is developing the youth players.'

- Garry Cook has second thoughts.

"He is going to get a fantastic reception, his homecoming in the media has possibly been overshadowed a little bit by the Robinho transfer, but come Saturday I think you will see Shaun get an outstanding reception. "

- 'Leslie' Hughes on SWP's return.

'It`s not normal either to change Real for City, only for the money.'

- re Robinho, Chelski's Deco who hasn't moved for the money reveals himself to be a bell-end.

CITY'S JET SET

Early this morning, Sheikh Mansour's private jet touched down in Manchester after a transatlantic berserker with Elano, Jo, Robinho and Pablo Zabaleta on board. City's South American stars now have that extra bit of time to get ready to have a go at Chelsea.

NEXT OPPONENTS:
Chelsea at The City of Manchester Stadium: Saturday, 13th September 1730 GMT

City Form:
Last six PL games: L,L,L,L,W,W
Chelsea Form:
Last six PL games: W,D,D,W,W,D

Internet: www.chelseafc.com

Johnny On The Spot?:

Fixtures against 'The Big Four' don't get any easier to face and this one will be no exception. Our young side will have to be on full alert with everyone on top of his game. Due to the Flying Bulgarian's knee injury, it looks as if we will have to wait a while before we see Martin Petrov and SWP working the wings in the same team. It will be interesting to see whether or not Bluesy decides to introduce the sublime talents of Robinho as a winger for this one. The midfield is where this game will be won and lost. The impressive Vincent Kompany will be a key player. Not only that, Pablo Zabaleta will provide us with an energetic transformation at right back from Spud's Vedran Corluka. With the feel good factor flowing through Eastlands and the crowd on a high, I think our Boy Blues will give Chelski a run for their rubles. So I'm sticking my neck out for a City win.

City 2 Chelsea 0

Win £1,000,000 every week with Man of the Match®

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.