Manchester City FC

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Roque: City can win this year

30 Sep 2009 - 08:42:15

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Fit-again striker Roque Santa Cruz claims Manchester City are genuine Premier League title challengers this season.

The Paraguay international made his first appearance for City following his £12million summer arrival from Blackburn Rovers during Monday's 3-1 victory over West Ham United.

Santa Cruz has finally overcome a knee injury and helped Mark Hughes' side move up to fifth place in the table.

Most observers expect City to challenge for a top-four place this season before becoming serious title challengers next term.

However, Santa Cruz believes a first Premier League crown for the Eastlands club could be secured this season.

He declared: "We're not only looking for that to happen in the future. We're looking to do it now. It's happening already.

"The boss looks absolutely confident in every aspect of the job and he also makes you feel that you can always perform at your best, by doing what he tells you in training.

"And I think players believe that what the manager tells them will actually help them to perform at their best.

"We all came here to help the team get to the top and everybody has been doing a fantastic job.

"It's been frustrating for me, sitting on the sidelines, but it makes things easier when the team is playing great and you're seeing things are going in the right direction."