Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes Manchester City, if boss Roberto Mancini can mould them into a team, are challengers for the Barclays Premier League title this season. Expectations for the coming campaign are high at Eastlands ahead of next weekend's opening round of Premier league fixtures, but Wilkins feels it will be vital for City boss Mancini to shape a coherent side from his star-studded squad if they are to be genuine contenders for the title Chelsea won last season.
"It is a lot of money (they have spent) but they have very wealthy backers and I would imagine before we kick off next week there will be a few more players going in there as well," Wilkins told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
"But it is never easy when so many new players come together. It is very nice and pleasant to have new players come in but you have to mould a team.
"The game is a team game and it is not easy for Mancini to put those guys together all at once.
"It is a juggling job and Roberto has been in that situation with Inter Milan before, so he'll understand that situation and I'm sure he'll handle it very well.
"Manchester United will be genuine contenders, but I think there are two or three others who will have a little dabble at us - like Manchester City, if they can form that group. They have very good individuals and could challenge us."
