Hughes all geared up for 'Clash of the Cash'

MANCHESTER: Mark Hughes summed up the anticipation surrounding Chelsea's visit to Manchester City -- dubbed 'the clash of the cash' -- by claiming it's a bigger game than Manchester United's trip to face fierce rivals Liverpool a few hours earlier.
City manager Hughes and his players return to action for the first time since the announcement of the dramatic takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group on September 1, which triggered the shock, deadline-day swoop to sign Robinho from under Chelsea's noses.

The audacity of the STG32.5 million (RM198 million) British record signing of the Brazilian from Real Madrid stunned the Londoners' manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and confirmed City's readiness to compete with the game's biggest spenders.

And the fact that this is Robinho's first outing for his new club adds an extra edge to the game.

Add in that the Eastlands club are now owned by a group whose wealth dwarfs that of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich -- and who have said they will spend whatever it takes to break into the top four -- and it's easy to see why this Premier League fixture will be seen as a test of how far City have to go if they are to break the old order.
So for once the match between United and Liverpool at Anfield will for once not occupy all the attention today.

"There is huge interest in us at the moment and though there is another quite large game going on nearby on Saturday we have superseded that one," said Hughes. "I am not sure that has happened on many occasions.

"At the end of the day our profile is huge at the moment and there is such a story surrounding the Chelsea game with different angles relating to each club. We are really looking forward to it," the former Chelsea striker added.

"I can't stop saying it but it is really exciting for everybody and it is one of the reasons that I came here. I want that interest and anticipation on a weekly basis."

The Welshman continued: "I know there is a predictable tag attached to the Chelsea game calling it 'clash of the cash' but that is the kind of thing we are going to be faced with in the short-term."

But Hughes insists City are not in the same position as Chelsea were when Abramovich took charge at Stamford Bridge five years ago.

"They were much further on and it will take us some time to catch up. We have to be realistic about what we can achieve."

Scolari was incensed to have missed out on Robinho who returned to England from international duty in a private jet this week along with City and Brazil teammates Elano and Jo.

And Chelsea's Peter Cech admits the presence of the Brazilian playmaker will provide an added incentive for the visitors at Eastlands.

"In the morning he says he loves Chelsea and he wants to be part of Chelsea and a few hours later he signs for another club," Cech said.

"It was his decision. He needs to play well for Manchester City and we want to show him on Saturday he made a decision that is not perfect for him really.

"He is a great player and the sort of player who can entertain people so for the Premier League maybe he is good, but we will see how he is going to cope with the pressure now.