The recently concluded international break signaled the end of an era for Newcastle United. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), headed by Mohammed bin Salman, paid £320 million to takeover the club. The fans all over the world rejoiced the end of the tumultuous Mike Ashley era as the Magpies become the richest football club. This understandably has the fans excited for what’s to eventually come, but does this kind of money guarantee immediate success? We take a look at how much time it took Chelsea and Manchester City to win the title after the cash injection.
Chelsea
First season under new owner: 2003/04 (finished 2nd)
First title under new owner: 2004/05
Net expenditure to win first title: £212 million*
That looks quite a swift turnaround in fortunes, but there’s a lot behind it. Chelsea had managed two sixth-placed finishes and fourth in the season before Roman Abramovich’s arrival. They were established as European contenders even if they were behind the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. What this means is they already had a decent squad. Yes they did need the money to make that step forward, but with a squad already challenging for Europe, it didn’t take them long to become champions.
In the first season, around £12o million was spent on the likes of Claude Makélélé, Joe Cole, Hernán Crespo, Adrian Mutu etc. The impact was instant as Chelsea finished second, behind only the ‘Invincibles’. Next season, players like Didier Drogba, Petr Čech, Ricardo Carvalho and Arjen Robben joined. That took their summer outlay to £92 million, but it was money well spent as the Blues won the title in record-breaking fashion.
Since then, money has been spent, managers have come and gone, but silverware has been regularly incoming. Chelsea’s modus operandi in the transfer market has changed since when Abramovich first came in, but they are seen as the club who started the trend of acquiring rich owners for success.
Manchester City
First season under new owner: 2008/09 (finished 10th)
First title under new owner: 2011/12
Net expenditure before winning first title: £460 million*
Unlike Chelsea, Man City were a midtable team at the time of their takeover. They finished ninth in the 2007/08 season and lost 8-1 to Middlesbrough on the last day. In 2008/09, they finished 10th under Mark Hughes. They spent around £12o million, most notably on Robinho, Jô, Nigel de Jong and Craig Bellamy.
The next season, similar amounts were spent on Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry. Mark Hughes was dismissed to be replaced by Roberto Mancini, and they narrowly missed out on Champions League. In 2010/11, they made real progress under Mancini. Not only did they break into the top four, they finished level with second-placed Chelsea, only behind on goal difference. A mammoth £15o million was spent on stars like Edin Džeko, Yaya Touré, James Milner, David Silva, Mario Balotelli.
They were nearly there. The backbone of the team was formed. A further £75 million was spent in the summer of 2011. A certain Sergio Agüero arrived along with Samir Nasri. Finally, they managed to clinch their first Premier League title in 44 years in the most dramatic manner. Record-signing Agüero snatched the title in stoppage time from Manchester United’s clutches.
Since then, Man City have enjoyed unprecedented success, albeit by spending enormous amounts of money along the way. They are yet to get their hands on the coveted Champions League trophy, but you wouldn’t bet against them winning it soon.
What about Newcastle United?
For Newcastle, the situation is much bleaker. They have been a bottom half team largely since finishing fifth in 2012. This season too, they are winless and find themselves second from bottom. Chelsea were a top-six team, it took them just one season. Man City were a midtable team, it took them three seasons. By that reckoning, it could take Newcastle at least five seasons to rise to the top. But with so many teams already present along with many others who are pushing, it might not be as easy as it was in the past. Fans must be patient, but for the moment they can celebrate Mike Ashley’s departure.