Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany insists the club's owners are putting down roots to turn them into a major world power.
City have since spent £350million on players - with wages to match - but Kompany says there's more to the spending than just on the pitch.
Kompany, 24, added: "We want to be the best we can and once we start winning trophies, this obsession people have with the money we earn will stop.
"We will achieve, we will win things - that much should be obvious to everyone.
"Bu the owners aren't just investing in the team, they are investing in the whole club, the training facilities, the stadium, the fans and the city of Manchester itself.
"They know how important City are to the people of Manchester and there is much more going on at the club than just creating a team.
"It is about making something special for the people of the city and if we get criticised for that then I can only say the people who want to be negative are ignorant of the facts."
