MAN City has the potential to be a big football club with all the money they have now.

But they never will be. Not for long.

The one simple fact in football leagues across the world now is that results count more than anything else. Trophies define how good a club is.

And these uber rich owners want instant results. Look at Chelsea - Claudio Ranieri and Avram Grant were decent managers, but second place was not enough.

They were sacked before they had a chance to improve on their second place. Players come and go fast if desired results are not achieved.

Man City will definitely improve, probably challenging for a place in Europe from now onwards.

But to place them among the 'Big Five'? To be in the league of the 'Big Four' Premiership teams? Maybe, as the saying goes - the ball is round.

It might happen, but I'm sure Mark Hughes will not be the manager then and probably another 25 or so 'top' players would have had put on the sky blue jersey and have been sold.

Oh, and provided Al-Fahim has at least half of Roman Abramovich's patience and not lost interest in playing the real-life version of Championship Manager before he decides to go back to his other businesses.

Andy Teow Lian Sheng, 27, financial planner, Chelsea fan