City spent over £100million in bringing in Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, Mario Balotelli and James Milner - taking the total spend since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008 to £326.8million. City recently announced financial losses of £121million. While that is apparently not a problem for Mansour, it is not sustainable if City want to meet UEFA's new financial regulations and play in the Champions League from next season. Clubs will be allowed to lose no more than 45million euros (£39million) for the next three seasons and must then break even to meet UEFA's requirements. In an interview with The Guardian, City's chief football administration officer Marwood has defended the club's transfer policy and explained why such outlays will not be needed again. "Now the intensity of signing players is levelling off, allowing this group to build and develop - they haven't gelled yet," he said. "We have fast-tracked a lot; we need to put the structure in place. We talk about elite development, the academy, because that is the foundation. That is the future for Manchester City." Marwood believes the lavish spending has left City with a young, deep squad that will need only minor tinkering for years to come. "We sat down with Roberto (Mancini) in February-March and planned our summer programme," he said. "The people here were on the list. There is a balanced strategy. English players and young players. Other than Yaya (Toure) they are all young developing players." Toure, who joined from Barcelona, is in the mould of another City player, the ageing Patrick Vieira, who joined in the previous transfer window. Together, they are the only exceptions to a policy of buying young rising stars. "The feeling was we needed players of presence, quality, with a winning mentality to bring that culture to the club," Marwood said. "Patrick and Yaya have that. Micah (Richards) for example, is an emerging young player. To have him alongside Patrick, Yaya, Kolo (Toure) every day, in the changing room, on the pitch, is invaluable." But the controversy over Yaya Toure's signing was not the 27-year-old's age but the reported £200,000-a-week salary handed to the ex-Barcelona man. Marwood insists he is value for money. "Yaya can play centre-midfield, centre-half, attacking midfield, defensive midfield, he's a quality player. When we knew he was available, it was a no-brainer." He added: "Everybody has become obsessed with what footballers are earning. We are comfortable where we are." Marwood believes much of what has been said about City's spending has been wide of the mark, but he will not worry as long as they stick to their strategy. "You have to chuckle to yourself," he said. "We were criticised for supposedly ruining English football by bringing foreign players in, then when the England team finished the last game against Switzerland, six City players were in it. That was a big jolt to a lot of people."
