Big-Spenders City Invested Wisely

Citypurchased the likes of Brazil`s Robinho, Argentina's Carlos Tevez and Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal.

Manchester City have invested in players for long-term success and can cope with the weight of expectation that has accompanied their big-spending, England international Shaun-Wright Phillips said.

Winger Wright-Phillips has witnessed first-hand the effects of vast sums of money being ploughed into both Chelsea and City, having spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge under billionaire owner Roman Abramovich before re-joining City for a second spell almost a year ago.

"The whole set up is a bit wiser. I think it's more over the long haul whereas Chelsea, before I got there, it was more instant," Wright-Phillips, 27, told Reuters.

"With all the ups and downs at Man City it's nice to finally see the club going in the direction they deserve."

City were bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and his Abu Dhabi United Group last September, and have since purchased the likes of Brazil's Robinho from Real Madrid, Argentina's Carlos Tevez from Manchester United and Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal.

Other expensive signings include Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz, England international Gareth Barry and Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure, in what has been a staggering display of spending power rivalled only in the international game in the past 12 months by Real Madrid.

But for all the money spent, Wright Phillips says the club's values remain healthy ones.

"I don't think the money could devalue a club like City because it's too family orientated," he said at a fundraising Harley Davidson motorcycle ride for British-based charity Education for the Children Foundation (www.eftc.org.uk) on Sunday.

"It's more about the supporters and the kids around it,"

Despite all the signings Wright-Phillips does not fear for his position and instead sees a large squad fighting for places as a good thing over what is always a long, hard season.

"We've got a good rotation system, and competition is only good for the team and it's going to help drive us in the direction we need to go," he said.