Blackburn Rovers

Rovers face City on Saturday and they will be up for a tough challenge as they take on the Manchester club’s star studded line-up at Eastlands.

However, the Blues have not had the start to the campaign that many people expected as they have only picked up four points from their opening three games.

City (8/13 to finish in the top four) boss Roberto Mancini is still looking for combinations that work as the highly paid stars battle for first-team places.

Former Blues striker Benjani, who has since joined Rovers, believes that many of the players at his old club are simply there for the high wages they can earn at Eastlands.

However, Allardyce believes that City can achieve great things this season despite having the problem of keeping players happy at the club.

He said: “If he (Mancini) gets it right, as Jose (Mourinho) got it right for Chelsea after the huge amount of spending that Roman (Abramovich) did, and if you look back here with Kenny, he got it right and Blackburn won the Premier League.

“You can buy a league now, obviously Blackburn have proven that, Chelsea have proven that, and you can do it in a short period of time. If you manage the players right and get that team spirit right, then you’ll win anything,” he added.

In financial terms, Rovers and City are polar opposites in the Premier League, with Blackburn struggling to attract big names to Ewood Park. However, one name they did attract is Michel Salgado. The former Real Madrid defender is used to success after spending 10 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and is hoping to help Rovers improve in the Premier League this season.

The 34-year-old has also commented about Manchester City’s hunt for success, which he believes will take some time.

He said: “The difference between Manchester City and Real Madrid is Manchester City so far is a fashion club.

“They have to spend money to battle with the best teams in Europe. Maybe Manchester City in the future can get closer to Real Madrid but now it’s a different story.

“They are signing eight new players every year and that’s a problem. First of all you have to build a team.”

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