Robinho thinks big

Dec 2 2008

Brazilian superstar Kaka heads Robinho's January transfer wish-list for Manchester City.

Manager Mark Hughes is preparing to spend big next month as he gets the first real chance to dip into the vast wealth of City's new Abu Dhabi-based owners and it is Kaka that Robinho feels Hughes should break the bank for.

"We have good players but if the club wants to be big, we have to sign more," Robinho told Setanta Sports' Football Matters programme. "Who would I sign? If I could choose it would be Kaka and Ronaldo."

Roque Santa Cruz and Lassana Diarra are two players almost certain to end up at Eastlands, but Robinho, captured on transfer deadline day for a British record £32.5million fee, is urging Hughes to think big.

However, Robinho accepts a more pragmatic response may be needed from the City hierarchy at present.

Defeats to Chelsea, Liverpool and, on Sunday, Manchester United, all on home soil, suggest City are a long way from the stated desire of challenging for major honours on the domestic front. And, as Robinho points out, the foundations must be laid first.

"When you build a house you have to start from the floor," he said. "You have to start from the bottom, the defence, and then you fix the attack."

With more new blood should come greater improvement in City's mental strength.

For Robinho has detected a major problem in that department which, without substantial improvement, could cost Hughes' team any chance of competing at the highest level.

"City have good players but the mentality of a small side," said the former Real Madrid star. "They are content with just finishing fifth or sixth. They are content with little, thinking just a draw might be good enough. They lack the mentality of champions."