Khaldoon al-Mubarak
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has cautioned against expectations of a mass of new signings at the Eastlands outfit this summer.
With the FA Cup won and an automatic place in the group stages of next season's Champions League confirmed should City win their final game of the campaign at Bolton on Sunday, numerous big names have already been mentioned as potential summer targets.
Neither Xavi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to end up at City by the start of next season but the mere fact speculation linking those two world famous stars to the club was not greeted with shock underlines just how high most observers expect manager Roberto Mancini to go.
However, in an excerpt from an exclusive interview which will be broadcast on the official City website www.mcfc.co.uk on Friday, Khaldoon has attempted to play down expectations.
"It won't be like last summer, or the summer before," he said.
"What you will see this year is strengthening the squad in areas that we feel require more depth.
"We don't need quantity, as today we have quality. We just need a couple of players."
After an overall investment in excess of £1billion and £350million spent on players alone since Sheikh Mansour rescued City from the ill-fated Thaksin Shinawatra era almost three years ago, it is clear the Blues are not far from where they want to be.
As the man responsible for overseeing the growth of the club from within the Abu Dhabi hierarchy, Khaldoon has given unqualified support to the manner in which Mancini has achieved his pre-season aims.
"I feel strongly a winning mentality is coming into the team," said Khaldoon.
"We have an incredible squad with so many talented individuals and a lot of heart in that squad.
"We have an incredible foundation for incredible years ahead.
"I am absolutely delighted for everyone involved in the club. The team, the players, coaches and the fans of course."
Khaldoon has also lavished praise on chief executive Garry Cook, who has not always been blemish free in his work but, more recently, has helped City start to maximise their vast potential.
"It has always been a team approach," said Khaldoon.
"We have a great operation with everyone involved, headed by our CEO Garry Cook, who I must say has done a phenomenal job for us.
"I am so proud of what he has accomplished."
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