ADUG Reveals Manchester City Dream Team

With the acquisition of Robinho for £32.4 million and audacious—but ultimately unsuccessful—bids for Dimitar Berbatov (£34m) and Fernando Torres (£50m), the Abu Dhabi United Group have left people in little doubt that, as owners of Manchester City, they mean business.

ADUG’s frontman, Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, has gone one step further this week by revealing to the Dubai-based publication Arabian Business his dream-team plan for the Eastlands club.

His team offers an interesting insight into the mindset of the new chairman:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Al Fahim: “The reason Italy won the World Cup. Is he better than Petr Cech? Yes.”
Estimated Cost: £40m

Right-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Al Fahim: “Seen a few matches of him on TV. He’s only 22—will be one of the best ever”
Estimated Cost: £25m

Left-back: Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
Al Fahim: “Maybe one of the best of all-time”
Estimated Cost: £20m

Centreback: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Al Fahim: “I like his style, and nobody seems to get past him—until he faces Ronaldo”
Estimated Cost: £35m

Centre-back: Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Al Fahim: “The first defender to win FIFA World Player of the Year—that’s a big achievement.”
Estimated Cost: £15m

Right Wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Al Fahim: “Maybe he will play for us one day—we’ll see! Nobody scores so many goals from midfield.”
Estimated Cost: £80m

Left Wing: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Al Fahim: “He could one day be the new Maradona.”
Estimated Cost: £50m

Centre Midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Al Fahim: “Probably the player I admire most in the world right now. He has everything.”
Estimated Cost: £40m

Centre Midfield: Kaka (AC Milan)
Al Fahim: “A bit like Ronaldo, such a prolific goal-scorer for a midfield player.”
Estimated Cost: £60m

Striker: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Al Fahim: “Tried to buy him once already. I hope we will succeed next time”
Estimated Cost: £50m

Striker: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Al Fahim: “A surprise choice but he has greater physical strength than any other striker.”
Estimated Cost: £40m

In naming such a team, many in the press have speculated that Al Fahim intends to pursue all these top names, in a project that could cost upwards of £400m.

With a noticeable lack of surprise inclusions, some have also suggested it shows little real appreciation for all but the most high-profile footballers—something that could be damaging for the long-term prospects at "Middle-Eastlands."

Interestingly, a transfer budget of £260m over two years has already been promised, equaling the spending of Roman Abramovich in his first two years at Chelsea. However, a source close to ADUG argues that this transfer budget will not mean outlandish bids for the world’s best players shall become commonplace:

“When Sulaiman talks about paying £135m for Ronaldo, I don’t believe he is silly enough to do so. What he is doing is sending a message that he can buy anyone,” the source told The Sunday Times.

“He’s saying to the megaclubs, ‘Look, if Kaka’s for sale and you bid £80m, we’ll bid £81m.' The Robinho deal made exactly that statement.”

For now, Al Fahim has promised that Robinho’s transfer was a one-off, and Mark Hughes will have full control over any transfer deals made in January.

However, if he really does have stars in his eyes, you wonder how long it will be before the American-educated businessman attempts to make his dream team a reality.