GOAL

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has already started planning for next season by stating he wants to reinforce his squad with high-profile recruitments.

The Chilean has begun to plot the club's transfer strategy for the summer, insisting that big clubs have to strengthen with high-profile additions every two years

City – fourth in the table heading into Monday's trip to Crystal Palace – appear destined to relinquish their Premier League crown as Chelsea sit nine points ahead of Pellegrini's men with eight matches remaining.

City and Chelsea are the two sides leading the race to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba and, with the club set for a largely disappointing season after bowing out of the Champions League last month and failing to pick up any silverware, it is little surprise that Pellegrini is already looking towards the summer transfer window.

"It is the way of thinking that big teams need to sign a big player. It is very difficult to do it every year, but every two years you must do it," said Pellegrini, whose side can reclaim second spot with victory at Selhurst Park.

"I'm not just talking about Manchester City. You see Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all the big clubs – they all do it. It is important to have big names.

"I don't want to talk about plans for next season because we have to finish this season. It is very important the way we finish this season before we analyse all the players. So it is not the right moment to talk about it."