Blackburn Rovers blog: Robinho deal showed danger of rushing signings (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers blog: Robinho deal showed danger of rushing signings

2:20pm Wednesday 29th June 2011 in Chris Flanagan By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

Blackburn Rovers blog: Robinho deal showed danger of rushing signings

IT took just minutes before it became clear the first big signing of the Sheikh Mansour era at Manchester City may not be a surefire success.

“At the last minute, Chelsea made me a great offer and I ended up accepting it,” said a confused Robinho, before being reminded he had in fact signed for City.

It was a whirlwind day but act in haste, repent at leisure is a phrase many big spending clubs have become familiar with over the years.

Blackburn Rovers’ transfer business was always going to take time this summer, and that may yet be for the best.

Rovers now have the cash, but do not yet have the kudos.

Clubs like Manchester United have the clout to agree a fee as quickly as they want and know that it is pretty likely the player will want to come. A deal can be done in no time at all.

After finishing 15th Rovers are not in that position and neither were City when they signed Robinho, hours after the ownership change at Eastlands.

Persuading Robinho needed either an awful lot of time or an awful lot of money. With the transfer window shutting that day, City did not have an awful lot of time.

So instead they paid well over the odds, as Rovers may feel tempted to do this summer.

But there are risks. Robinho’s decision was swift and he seemed quickly to regret it, struggling to settle. As a result, he did not produce his best form.

Speaking not of Robinho but in general terms, Rovers must be sure any possible signing is coming for the right reasons rather than for money.

Chris Samba’s insistence that he wants to leave will also confuse many players Rovers want to bring in. If Samba wants to leave, why should a marquee signing want to arrive?

And although some say Rovers have wasted time by aiming too high, what other sensible way is there apart from aiming for the stars and then working your way down as the deadline approaches?

Such are the funds available, this summer’s business will shape Rovers’ team for some time to come.

The priority is not to make quick signings, but to make the right signings.