Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has warned Manchester City the money they have spent this summer will not guarantee them a season of success.
City have been warned by several of their Premier League rivals they will find it tough to buy their way to the title despite the impressive captures of David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Further deals are expected at Eastlands before the end of the month but Kalou reckons Roberto Mancini's men face a tough task in overhauling his side, the defending champions, plus Manchester United, Arsenal and even Liverpool.
He said: "Just because you bring in 10 new players every year doesn't mean you are going to finish top of the table.
"City did the same thing last season and finished fifth and I am not sure if they'll be any stronger this time.
"Spending a lot of money on new signings doesn't guarantee anything. City have to remember there are still teams like Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Liverpool and Arsenal who will always be at the top.
"And this year we will all be up there fighting for the title again."
