Redknapp rules out City title challenge

LONDON (AFP) – Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Manchester City will struggle to challenge for the Premier League title despite their massive spending spree.

City boss Roberto Mancini splashed out over 100 million pounds on five new signings as the club’s Abu Dhabi-based owners attempt to turn their team into a Premier League superpower.

But, despite the arrivals of the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure, City were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw at Tottenham in their opening league game on Saturday and Redknapp wasn’t overly impressed with Mancini’s men.

“I wouldn’t tip City from what I’ve seen,” Redknapp said. “I wouldn’t say they’ll win the championship. They have a long way to go. Chelsea are a team, Man United are a team.

“They are fantastic teams with people who have been there, done it all and won everything, Champions League winners. So I wouldn’t see City finishing above them.”

Redknapp believes City will face a battle just to secure Champions League qualification unless they play a more positive style than they showed at White Hart Lane.

“They’ll find it more difficult to win games if they set up as defensively as they did against us,” he said. “I was more concerned when Adebayor came on late in the game.

“If they spend enough they’ll get there in the end but certainly this year, I wouldn’t see them being champions.

“They have a chance of finishing in the top four but Arsenal will be close to the title this year and Liverpool are going to be strong.”