On Sunday reigning Champions, Manchester City will face Chelsea in a battle for the second spot in the Barclays Premier League. Both the clubs have spent big in the transfer market over the years, but which of the two has been more efficient?

Fernando Torres is surely not worth the money spent on himChelsea

Owned by business tycoon Roman Abramovich, the Russian has made a massive investment in the club lifting them from a mid table team to current European Champions. During his ten years as Chelsea owner, the Russian has spent over a billion dollars on players and managers, however not all his spendings have been astute.

Money wasted

Fernando Torres 
 
Probably the first name which springs to mind, the Spanish striker was signed from Liverpool for a hefty 50 million pounds making him the fifth most expensive signing in Football history. The Spanish striker has failed to live up to his transfer fees and has been a mere shadow of his former self.
 
 
 
Andriy Shevchenko
 
His record at AC Milan was immaculate, but the Ukrainian was unable to boast the same influence at Chelsea. He scored 22 goals in his 77 appearances for the club, which was nowhere close to his scoring record in Italy nor did it translate his transfer fees of 30 million pounds. After being surplus to requirements at Chelsea, Shevchenko returned on loan to his former side Milan and later joined Dynamo Kyiv on a free transfer. 
 
Juan Sebastian Veron 
 
After a turbulent spell at Manchester United, the Argentinean joined the Blues for 15 million pounds. To his dismay and that of his club, his stint at Chelsea was not successful either. He began the season well scoring in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield. His spell was however plagued with injuries and he was not able to cement his place in the starting eleven. After two loan spells at Inter Milan he, was finally shipped back home to his boyhood club Estudiantes. 

Money well spent

Ashley Cole
 
Probably the best business Chelsea have done under Roman Abramovich, was capturing almost certainly the best full back in England  in the last decade, that also for a mere five million pounds with William Gallas also part of the deal. Cole has been one of the most consistent performers for the Blues and has helped them winning eight titles since he joined them in 2006.
 
Petr Cech 
 
Signed for just seven million pounds, the Czech has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers over the years. He has thrice been voted as the best keeper in the UEFA Champions League. Cech has also managed to record a massive 137 clean sheets for Chelsea and it is safe to say that he has been very instrumental to their recent success in England and Europe. 

Manchester City

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Zayed Al Nahyan successfully acquired Manchester City in September 2008.  Since then he has spent 481.3 million pounds on 30 players in the four year period. 

Money wasted

Robinho
 
On the final day of the summer transfer window, City secured the signing of Brazilian striker Robinho for an immense 32 million pounds. However his signing was seen by many as a move to attract other high profile players to the club. Robinho made 53 appearances for the club scoring 16 goals. After an injury afflicted second season and a poor run of performances, he fell down the pecking order and was eventually sold.
 
Roque Santa Cruz
 
He was bought for 18 million pounds and reunited with his former boss Mark Hughes at Manchester City. Since then he has made 22 appearances for City scoring three goals and has been on loan for the past three years at Blackburn, Real Betis and Malaga in respective years. As of now he is still a Manchester City player and is hoping to secure a permanent transfer once his loan ends at Malaga. 
 
Adebayor
 
He was signed for 25 million pounds from London outfit Arsenal. During his time at City, Adebayor made a total of 45 appearances for Manchester City scoring 19 goals. Whereas he made 59 appearances during his loan spells at Real Madrid and Tottenham scoring 26 goals. With the likes of Aguero, Balotelli and Dzeko ahead of him, the former Arsenal man was sold to Tottenham for just Five Million Pounds. 

Money well spent

Sergio Aguero
 
He was signed for a club record fee of 38 million pounds from Atletico Madrid. The striker has proven his worth and had a very successful debut season scoring 30 goals in all competitions, the most important of which was his title winning goal against Queens Park Rangers.
 
Vincent Kompany
 
A player of his calibre should have cost Manchester City a fortune, they were however lucky enough to get their man for just six million pounds. As City’s talisman and captain, Kompany has been an influential leader on the pitch and was instrumental in their title winning campaign last season.
 
Yaya Toure
 
The Ivorian is surely in the mould of a world class player and has proven himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. He was signed from Barcelona for 24 million pounds and managed to win the FA Cup title in his first season at City. In his second season he helped City capture their first league title in 44 years.
 
It is fair to say that money has been a key factor in the success of both the clubs in recent years, however it will be interesting to see if they are able to survive once the financial fair play rules are put to practice. On Sunday the two sides will clash together both hoping to catch leaders Manchester United who are drifting towards a 20th league title. With all the money they have spent will the two English giants be able to catch United?