Source: Telegraph
Mark Hughes denies rift with Robinho
Robinho has had an awkward first season in the Premier League, but Hughes insists there is no disharmony.[LNB]Hughes said: "There is a perception out there about myself and Robinho, and that everything is doom and gloom and the dressing room is fractured.[LNB] Related ArticlesPele denies Robinho drugs callRobinho threatens to sue PeleWeiss's City family valuesThe Daily Bung: Citys owners planning £134m bid for Ronaldo. Yes, that Ronaldo.Frank Lampard cashes in on Manchester City flawsThe Daily Bung: Rough diamond, 31, to join Arsenal and two Diegos of varying quality"The truth is a lot calmer than a lot of people would imagine."[LNB]As for the huge amounts of money already spent on Robinho and evidently available from City's Middle East owners, Hughes believes they need to be seen in the context of cash-rich football rather than the rest of a largely financially troubled world.[LNB]He said: "In the current climate, people will look at those amounts and think it should not happen – but the football business is different to others.[LNB]"The money is there, and it doesn't look like it is going to go away soon. We are part of that."[LNB]Hughes, City executive chairman Garry Cook and the club's midfielder Stephen Ireland all spoke to BBC Radio Five Live tonight about the ethos and aspirations at Eastlands.[LNB]Quizzed about the proposed £100 million January signing of Brazilian Kaka from AC Milan – which in the end did not happen – Cook reiterated City's stance at the time that the move had been discussed for many months and was part of a sustainable long-term plan.[LNB]And he defended City from suggestions that they are prepared to spend 'obscene' amounts.[LNB]"I don't think it was the amount," he said of the intended Kaka investment.[LNB]"I think it was that Manchester City were putting themselves in that arena – that was the biggest surprise for everybody.[LNB]"We'd put four months of work into it. I think the perception was that it was a whim, and it really wasn't that – nor would we do anything at this club on a whim.[LNB]"It was thought through – there was return on that investment. We felt it was the right move as a team."[LNB]Ireland has no doubt either that City's mega-rich owners will do things the right way.[LNB]"I don't think the owners are flash like that. They want to build a good empire here," he said. "I don't think it is a matter of just buying players in." [LNB]
