Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has told ambitious Manchester City it will take them longer to be Barclays Premier League title contenders than they think.
The Eastlands club are awash with money following their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, and the club’s new owners quickly made noises about signing top stars and challenging for a Champions League spot and even the Premier League crown.
But as the midfielder prepares to compete against a familiar South American face in City’s £32.5million signing Robinho, the Argentinian suggests that Sunday’s opponents are still short of being genuine contenders.
Mascherano said: “We know they have a good team and they are stronger than last season, obviously.
“They have a good manager and are improving a little bit more than before.
“They are looking to be in the top four and if they have the chance to fight for the title they will go for it.
“But we know how difficult it is in the Premier League, so maybe they will need a little bit more time to fight for titles.”
Mascherano’s colleague Dirk Kuyt has already dismissed fanciful claims from Eastlands that they can compete to sign players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
A deadline-day bid for the Spaniard was ignored by Liverpool, and Kuyt said: “Of course it is possible to sign big players, but nobody at Liverpool would want to join City because we are a bigger club.
“If they want big players already at big clubs, they will find that the difficult thing.”
Mascherano’s initial aim will be to stop Robinho in his tracks. He reveals he has played against the Brazilian many times, the pair having grown up together in South American football.
Mascherano, like Robinho now 24, said: “I have played against him many times. I know him and he is a fantastic player with a lot of quality.
“But obviously the Premier League is the most difficult league, so maybe he will find it tough. Having said that, he has already played some good games here.”
The Eastlands club are awash with money following their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, and the club’s new owners quickly made noises about signing top stars and challenging for a Champions League spot and even the Premier League crown.
But as the midfielder prepares to compete against a familiar South American face in City’s £32.5million signing Robinho, the Argentinian suggests that Sunday’s opponents are still short of being genuine contenders.
Mascherano said: “We know they have a good team and they are stronger than last season, obviously.
“They have a good manager and are improving a little bit more than before.
“They are looking to be in the top four and if they have the chance to fight for the title they will go for it.
“But we know how difficult it is in the Premier League, so maybe they will need a little bit more time to fight for titles.”
Mascherano’s colleague Dirk Kuyt has already dismissed fanciful claims from Eastlands that they can compete to sign players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
A deadline-day bid for the Spaniard was ignored by Liverpool, and Kuyt said: “Of course it is possible to sign big players, but nobody at Liverpool would want to join City because we are a bigger club.
“If they want big players already at big clubs, they will find that the difficult thing.”
Mascherano’s initial aim will be to stop Robinho in his tracks. He reveals he has played against the Brazilian many times, the pair having grown up together in South American football.
Mascherano, like Robinho now 24, said: “I have played against him many times. I know him and he is a fantastic player with a lot of quality.
“But obviously the Premier League is the most difficult league, so maybe he will find it tough. Having said that, he has already played some good games here.”
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