Eriksson's blind faith in foreign stars

But as the new City manager unveiled four new players yesterday — Brazilian midfielder Elano, Spanish left back Javi Garrido, Croatian defender Vedran Corluka and Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov — he maintained it is a gamble worth taking.

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As he continues to transform the squad he inherited from Stuart Pearce and with Australian Mark Bresciano expected to arrive next week from Palermo.

Eriksson explained: 'Most of these new players I have never seen in action live, but it's just not possible because the season has not even started. But I've seen videos of them and I've checked them out with friends who have seen them play. A lot of them the club scouts had seen before, though.'

The former England coach has spent almost £40million on new talent, with not one British buy featuring, but he explained ahead of today's friendly with Valencia that he has found the domestic market over-priced.

'If you try to go for the best players, the players in the England squad for instance, it's very difficult to get them,' said Eriksson.

'I promise you that I tried for maybe four and two of the clubs would not even discuss a price to sell. The other ones were very expensive. We had some English names but clubs just wouldn't sell.

'There are a lot of good English players around and I know that because I had another job until a year ago!

'But if we wanted to buy any of them, the price has gone over the roof. I don't think the strategy of buying foreign players is a risk but so many players all at once is maybe a risk.

'But what was the alternative? If we want to do well, I can't see an alternative way to do it. If we have ambitions to go up the table, something had to be done.'

Eriksson's press conference at City's training ground yesterday was something of a haphazard affair, with the presence of new owner Thaksin Shinawatra ensuring a healthy turn-out of Thai media and the new players' inability to speak much English necessitating some translation.

It must be hoped by fans that communication on the field is a little better once the Premiership season starts with a trip to West Ham a week today. It is clear that Eriksson has placed great faith in City's scouting network and advice from his own friends in football.

He added: 'I saw a lot of football during my break but I saw much less live football than I did in the previous five years.

'I sat at home and watched four or five games during the week, though. I came to Manchester City very late and it came very quickly two months ago.

'That was the first time anyone spoke to me about City, so I can't say that I had in my mind which kind of players would be suitable for City. So I had to work very quickly and find what we thought were the right players. But the important thing is that I'm happy with what I have got now.'

Eriksson had 27 outfield players on the training field yesterday and seven of those will be moved on if possible — Paul Dickov, Danny Mills, Didi Hamann, Bernardo Corradi, Darius Vassell, Ousmane Dabo and Matthew Mills.

He said: 'I want a squad of 20 outfield players, so clearly players will leave.

'It's never pleasant telling them they will go, but it's something that has to be done. I've already started doing that but it's never easy. I guess it will take some time to move them on because it won't happen overnight.

We had to take in a lot of new players for now and for the future, but Dr Thaksin has been fantastic and we should be very thankful to him for that.' The Swede was also asked if he had received good luck messages from fellow Premiership bosses since taking over at City.

'No. So far no. But I am sure I will get it,' he insisted.

'I've had a phone call from the previous manager Stuart Pearce, which was very nice and he wished me good luck for the future. I hope he will come one day and visit us.'