Source: Team_Talk
Mancini defends City spending spree
Roberto Mancini has defended Manchester City's spending spree and promised to give the club's best youngsters a chance in the first team.[LNB] City completed their latest big-money signing on Wednesday, David Silva finalising his move for a reported £26million, to follow up the captures of Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng.[LNB]City have been busy in the transfer market ever since Sheikh Mansour took control of the club almost two years ago and that has led to fears the club's impressive Academy - which has produced the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards and Stephen Ireland - could be sidelined in the pursuit of instant success.[LNB]Mancini feels investment is imperative if silverware is to be secured, but he has promised the best youngsters still have a route into his first-team plans.[LNB]The Italian, who replaced Mark Hughes at the helm in December, said: "Of course we have spent a lot of money this summer. It is hard to win trophies if you do not invest in areas where you can improve.[LNB]"We are absolutely committed to the Academy and to developing our own talent. It is important that they know there is a path to the first team for them. [LNB]"We are working hard towards the kick-off on August 14 and everyone here has the chance to be in the squad that day." [LNB]Joleon Lescott, who joined the City project from Everton in an acrimonious £22million switch last summer, believes only minor improvements are required to turn the club into a top-four side.[LNB]He said: "We were so close that we want it that little bit more, and after playing together all season we now understand each other's games that little bit more.[LNB]"We don't need to make any major changes. The experience of missing out last season means we will try that bit harder. [LNB]"Any team can look back and wonder if they had only done this or that, and the two drawn games against Hull and Burnley at home are the obvious ones for us. [LNB]"We should have beaten teams like that. We beat Chelsea twice to prove we can do it, and that balances things out."
