plus after everything he said about not wanting to stay at real, he basically had to go

chelsea outbid by man city.

insane.

It's tradition that Man City can't get stuff right and I'm sure they'll fuck up the richest club in the world thing somehow or other.

But getting Robinho in less than 24 hours for a British record fee is a lot more immediately impressive than what Chelsea did initially, which was to buy Glenn Johnson and Joe Cole. They've got over the first hurdle, which is to prove that one of the world's top players is actually prepared to join Man City (and whatever your reservations are about Robinho, and I certainly have mine, he's definitely widely regarded as a top name) so the effect could be exponential from here on, especially if they make another big signing in January.

he'll now join Chelsea next year as, by the sounds of things, Real wouldn't sell him to Chelsea as they were being dicks about it all.

As soon as the Man City owners realise that one or two signings won't win them the league overnight they'll have to sell him as he'll want Champions League football.

that every club will now travel to the Middle-Eastlands to play City this season???

Kompany, Elano, Petrov, Wright-Phillips, Richards, Jo, Johnson, Robinho, Hart, Sturridge, Zabaleta and Ireland are all quality players, I think they could just sneak a 4th place finish this season and maybe win the UEFA Cup.

Robinho in baseball cap & suit, looking non-plussed.
Hughes creaming in his pants.
Pretty funny.

I earn 0.3% of what he earns a year before tax. :(

Johnson, Sturridge, Hart and Etuhu's first team / squad places are under huge doubt come christmas.

We've become another top flight team where home grown talent isn't going to have a very good chance of getting on the pitch.

"Many people said I chose to join City because of their economic power rather than for football reasons but that is not true at all. The truth is that I had better personal financial offers from other European clubs such as Chelsea & Inter Milan. I could have made more money by going elsewhere.

City are not only one of the best English clubs of all time, but they also have such a great current squad! It will be a huge privilege to play alongside footballers such as Didi Hamann, Jo and Micah Richards every week.

The club have also said that I will play in the number 10 shirt this season, which used to belong to another legend of the game, Francis Lee. That's another honour which I feel very proud about. Despite all this excitement I prefer not consider myself as a first-team player until I prove myself. I will fight for a place and try to earn the title.

There is a great deal of competition for places in attack with Bojinov, Jo and Sturridge here at the moment, and a lot has been said about it, but the coach Mr Hughes has said that he plans to use me as a striker. All I can do is work hard to guarantee my own place in the team. We are all professionals and know how football works. Competition is healthy for the players and it can only help the club in terms of quality and motivation.

City have not won an important trophy for three decades, so I know the fans will be expecting a lot from the players now. I am ready for that pressure, especially because in Santos & Madrid things were not that different even after we had won titles. I know how to handle pressure. For any player who is in the national team we face pressure even in practice sessions.

For me, I see it as a dream to wear City's shirt and I'd rather relish it, instead of fearing the challenge. The club has put a lot of their trust in me and I am looking forward to repaying it as soon as possible.

Out of the main European leagues, I think the English is best, and suits players with skill & pace. That's why I don't think it's going to be a problem for me to adapt my game, especially because teams like City play such attacking football.

The fact that the club also has a lot of Brazilians in the squad might also make things easier. I am really looking forward to my time in England. I haven't come to spend just one season at City that's for sure. I want to stay here for a long time and win a lot of trophies. I intend to be the best player in the world within the next four years and to match all the expectations around my name.

Fortunately English does not seem to be a difficult language to learn and Anderson has told me that Manchester is a fantastic city to live in, too. I really can't wait to start discovering the city and I am also really anxious to get to know my new team-mates. I am a guy who loves to joke, but maybe it might be wise to wait a bit until I start taking the p*ss out of my team mates, especially because I am little guy! However, after I am settled in, the lads won't escape my good humour!"