Chelsea and Manchester City: Come On, Let's Be Friends

September 1st 2008, the Abu Dhabi United Group complete their take over of Manchester City and make an immediate impact with a £30million bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, a long term target of city rivals Manchester United.

That wasn't to be, but Man City weren't done yet.

At approximately 11pm it was announced Man City had completed the signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for approximately £32.5million. Robinho had been taken from right under Chelsea's noses.

Now is the time to forgive and forget however. If you were to read any internet forum today, it would be littered with articles and comments on how Man City's newly acquired wealth will bring about the destruction of the game; how Man City are creating an uneven playing field by throwing around ridiculous amounts of money (at least give them a chance to spend that money first though, eh?).

Its something all Chelsea fans can relate to; we've been putting up with it since 2003.

This is where Chelsea and Man City can help each other out. At Chelsea we've been through it all before, we know what City have got to come. We are both the common enemy now. We're both "new money", and the established aristocracy don't like us breaking up their order.

And neither of us like United, so we've got something else in common.

With that in mind, here's a quick survival guide, to help Man City fans get through this period:

- History. You no longer have any. Its usually Liverpool and United fans who like to throw this one around. Its what they imagine to be a sophisticated way of saying "we've won more trophies than you", but fools absolutely no one.

- Class. You'll find football fans have a very skewed idea what constitutes a "classy" football club. If one of your players steps even slightly out of line they'll use it as an example of the club's lack of class, but they don't seem to like it if you point out instances of their players being less than professional.

- Trophies. Any trophies you win are "bought", but any you fail to win are "proof" money can't buy success.

- Transfers. If United or Liverpool spend large amounts on players that's fair enough, but if you do it, its because you're evil.

Most importantly though, take it all as a compliment. That all these big clubs are talking about Manchester City now means that they are worried about you.

So, what do you say—friends?