Manchester City News 24/7Writer: Blue Lad Scragg 
Date:Tuesday July 7 2009
Time: 9:13PM
UK time is: 09:26:10
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Can City Qualify For The Champions League?
There is a big question currently looming over Eastlands, and that is whether or not Manchester City can qualify for the Champions League.
Blue Lad Scragg sent us the following...
The pressure is well and truly on City boss Mark Hughes after our owner outlined a top six finish as a minimum for next season. With the club backed by an endless cash supply, courtesy of Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi Group I honestly think it's going to be a long and difficult ride, but can it be done?
Current situation
Over the last 12 months we have spent an awfull lot of money, (around £30m, give or take a couple of quid) for the likes of Gareth Barry, Stuart Taylor and Roque Santa Cruz. The goal is simple - to establish City as one of the top clubs in Europe and make Man City one of the most well known clubs on the planet.
Is it possible?
Breaking into the top four, let alone winning the title is going to be an extremely difficult task. But it has been done before, just ask Roman Abramovich and Chelsea.
Could City pip anyone to a Champions League place?
The team looking the most vulnerable to vacate the top 4 has to be Arsenal. The Gooners look as though they are going to lose Emmanuel Adebayor and even Fabregas has been linked to a Spanish club. Kolo Toure is of course being chased by City and Andrei Arshavin was recently quoted saying that he would like to play for Barcelona.
Perhaps it's time Arsenal stood aside for the new kid on the block.
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Your Comments
nope
dunsey
My heart says "yes", my head says "no". But then the transfer season isn't over is it?
BlueWolfie
I don't think the squad is any where near the quality needed to get to a CL place just yet and we need to get a solid defense before we cam challenge.
Buzz Lightyear
Get real, BlueLadscragg. Since the day Mark Hughes was appointed Manager of Manchester City, he officially accepted responsibility for all transfer purchases. Since that date manchester City have spent £1243M+ on purchases.
Sindbad
Soz £123.4M...
Sindbad
if we get our targets then yes it can be done, the sheikh has been very shrewd in only demanding top 6 cos we can easily get top4 if we get our targets, top6 puts less pressure on a newly assembled team so hopefully we will get top4
mark.mcfc.wedged
Good article Blue Lad Scragg and the answer to your question is I believe a big yes, with the proviso that we sign the players we should eg Tevez, Lescott and two more. Not only should we get 4th next year we should expect that as a minimum given all we have spent and the strength of the squad. Equally we will not be distracted by European football. To a certain extent if we don't believe in success we don't deserve it and are less likely to achieve it. It's too easy to be a cynic or cop out by talking about Top 6, which I believe is not challenging enough for us. For goodness sake how long do we need with the quality of players we have. Sorry Arsenal, step over quick sticks we are coming.
Wswilly3
Yes we can... so can Stoke... Newcastle can't... but Wolves can. As for if they will... I believe when City win the league they are granted a champions league place so YES!!
MCFC_Goatboy
Not much chance with the current squad unless Hughes gets them to play out of their skins which he couldn't manage last season.
I think we should and will with Eto'o, Tevez, a winger (Ashley Young/David Silva)and 2 world class defenders which shouldn't be beyond our owners purchase power before the season starts.
City Girl
Definitely not until you buy some defenders!
gunnerkid107
If tevez and eto'o sign and we get 2 good defenders, YES, we can break into the top 4. If we fail to sign those, top 6 is attainable but no champions league.
eighthsin
"just ask chelsea and roman abromovich"...chelsea were in the top 4 when they were bought you numpty's!...and can city do it? ermmm no! because hughes is a gormless idiot who seems to have a very loose grip on football tactics (1st leg against hamburg in last years UEFA was a very clear indication of this, where the team was so unbalanced it should of been hamburg 5-0 at halftime) there will be unrest in the dressing room with players being dropped, and another midtable finish awaits you
lillywhites101
Does the lillywhite refer to your level of courage or your preference in underpants? May I suggest you retitle yourself green eyed lillywhite.
Wswilly3
I agree with eighthsin. Also hughes has to be alot cuter in tactics away from home. His subsituations are super poor when we are losing games. This needs to be addressed too. Top4 is impossible if villa mounted a serious challenge, with a paper thin squad and a poor arsenal limping throughout the season.
enzo city
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