I am looking forward to seeing how "the new Sky Blues" will fare in the new season. With nine strikers on his books and with John Terry likely to join him, Hughes’ team not only look an exciting prospect but also look to make good on a top-two finish.

Hughes has picked the best from all the rivals that finished above him last season. If he could poach a few of Benitez’s best, then a spot at the top may well be a realisable ambition.

But if Hughes’ men are to finish at the top, then for the first time in a very, very long time, an intruder will have breached the ranks of the Big Four. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have dominated the Champions League hot spots for the better part of a decade. With City’s drive to finish top, one of the four looks set to be consigned to the history books.

Who, you may ask, is the likely candidate? The answer is obvious: Arsenal.

Of all the clubs in the top tier of the league, Arsenal do not have the financial capability to match their rivals. For the last few seasons, and ever since their move to the Emirates Stadium, they have relied on youth and the occasional costly signing (Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasir) to keep them in the Champions League running.

But one does question for how much longer can Wenger’s tactical acumen and ability to extract the best from a young bunch last? Someone more wily must surely come along sooner or later and Martin O’Neill, David Moyes, Harry Redkanpp and possibly Roy Hodgson – all backed with better financial muscle – will surely dispose of Arsene Wenger’s boys eventually.

In theory, taking Arsenal’s place in the top four shouldn’t be all that difficult. Since Patrick Vieira left in 2005, Wenger has made a habit of jettisoning his best player every season thereafter. Ashley Cole left in 2006, Thierry Henry in 2007, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini in 2008. Now Adebayor looks likely follow the Arsenal exodus for 2009.

It doesn’t help that the departed have not only found richness but also glory in the form of League titles (Vieira, Henry and Helb) and Champions League finals (Cole, Henry and Helb). Their successes are likely to lure others to follow, to the ruination of Arsenal Football Club.

But then again, am I too quick to condemn Arsenal? Adebayor may be another big name to depart Arsene’s squad this season, but will his departure cause as much disruption as initially thought?

If Wenger chooses not to spend the £25m or so he will get from Manchester City for the Togo striker, he has ready-made replacements in Nicklas Bendtner and the returning Eduardo.

Bendtner may not be the finished product but then again, he does occasionally look good and, given a few years, he may actually BE good. Eduardo IS good and if it hadn't been for his horrific injury he would probably be an Arsenal goalscoring legend by now.

Also, there are reports that Adebayor is a disruptive influence to team spirit at Arsenal and his over-valuation of himself has often been a source of tension in the dressing room.

Could it be that hia departure might actually make Arsenal stronger? Since Henry left, Wenger has been building a side around a power-forward with Adebayor as its spearhead. Before that, he built a side around the guile of Henry and Robert Pires.

If Adebayor goes, will Arsene return to his roots and build a side around the finishing of Eduardo and the quick-footed, quick-thinking Andrei Arshavin, supported by Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas in the same way his last title-winning side was supported by Dennis Bergkamp and Vieira?

Might that side actually stave off the advances of Manchester City? If so, then City will have to knock off either one of Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea at the top. United still look strong, despite losing their best player Cristiano Ronaldo. With the options his £80m fee bring and Michael Owen to boost their ranks, I doubt United will capitulate.

Doubts have been expressed over the wisdom of Sir Alex to gamble on Owen. He doesn’t look a ready-made replacement for Tevez and Owen, even at 29, looks past his best. Nonetheless, who can doubt the cunning mind of Sir Alex, who brilliantly took 35-year-old Henrik Larsson on a three-month loan spell in 2007 and promptly won the Premier League on the back of the Swede’s limited, but nonetheless significant, contribution?

If Liverpool can hang on to Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, they look safe to stay among the top if not AT the top. At £18.5m, Glen Johnson looks expensive for an unproven defender, but Rafa has never been afraid to spend gobs of money to pursue glory, like the £20.3m spent on Robbie Keane for half a season.

And Rafa doesn’t even look done, with possible targets David Silva and Franck Ribery looking to bolster a very inadequate Liverpool wide midfield, they seriously look more like title material than at any time in the last two decades. If they can't find a suitable foil for Fernando Torres, then all bets are off.

That leaves Chelsea against Manchester City. Russian oil money versus Middle East oil money.

Roman Abramovich hasn’t been spending like he did when he first took over at Chelsea. Albeit £18m was spent on Yuri Zhirkov, that’s small change compared to the club’s outlay in the past. This has prompted reports that Abramovich may be starting to lose interest in his plaything and starting to concentrate on his political career.

Furthermore, the Chelsea squad is aging. With the likes of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anleka and Didier Drogba all the wrong side of 30 and no true superstars among their ranks, this Chelsea side look set to decline.

Nonetheless, Abramovich showed with the short-term appointment of Guus Hiddink, that he is prepared to exert his considerable influence to get the best to rescue his Chelsea side. With new manager Carlo Ancelotti boasting credentials like winning the Champions League twice, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Serie A title, who would take a bet on Mark Hughes upstaging him?

So despite their new-found wealth, Manchester City may still have some work cut out for them if they are to displace the current hierarchy and take their place among the top. They certainly have the weaponry to do the job and if Terry can be lured to Eastlands then they have men of leadership to bring their entourage to the promised land.

But perhaps even more sign ificantly, if Manchester City win the Premier League next season, Mark Hughes will be the first and to date the only Welsh manager to win the English League. So, you at the back, pucker up your lips and prepare to sing "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"!