Mark Hughes may yet be the winner if Robinho and Tevez do want out

There were always going to be growing pains as Manchester City turned to recruiting the world's big hitters to jump-start their ambitions. But unlike Chelsea, where Roman Abramovich bought a team that was already in the Champions' League, City's lower starting base is causing more severe growing pains.

Robinho clearly wants to leave Man City - and its only now financial considerations (possibly including the ludicrous 'loyalty' clause that most agents insert into contracts) that are moderating his comments. As a marquee signing he has done his job in many ways - Kaka considered moving to Manchester and a number of players, like Shay Given and Gareth Barry, subsequently took no persuading.

Robinho has yet to score for Man City this season - and has played only three times.

Carlos Tevez is not proving to be much of a £25m bargain, he is considering retirement next summer because even at the young age of 25 he feels stale. The Final Third list his not inconsiderable achievements and suggest that it is hardly surprising that he is sated:

"He has been voted South American player of the year for three years in a row, he has won the Copa Libertadores and World Club Championship with Boca, he has won the Brazilian title with Corinthians, he has won two Premier League titles with Man U and helped them secure the European and World Club trophies as well. Oh and he also was one of very few people to hang an Olympic gold medal around his neck."

Tevez has scored two league goals (both in the West Ham match) from ten league games this season.

All of which strengthens, however briefly, Mark Hughes's hand. He has always pushed for more organic growth, bringing in players from other English clubs and players more naturally suited to a mid-ranking club looking to grow. Instead of attempting to hijack an unsustainable place in the top four in two years Hughes has long yearned for the time to turn a top 10 side into champions over a five year stretch (top 10 -> top 6 -> top 4 -> top 2 -> champions).

If Tevez and Robinho do go, instead of a deadly blow to Hughes's ambitions, it could actually generate a number of positives without having too severe a downside.

Firstly although Tevez and Robinho are great players they are not great players for City. Robinho is a morale sapping passenger away from home and Tevez is simply not scoring enough goals to justify a £25m price tag.

Secondly by taking out two of the biggest transfers the pressure on the team would fall as expectations would be generally realigned in the media and for fans. And even if the transfer money was re-invested experience would indicate that more appropriate players would now be recruited.

Thirdly the players that Robinho and Tevez would keep out - the likes of Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Petrov and Ireland - are far more likely to fight for their lives in tough games.

It is disappointing that two of the biggest names that City have recruited so far seem disillusioned. But if the pair do want away then it is better to ruthlessly cut them rather than persist with them if they are indeed uninterested. City can still come out on top with or without them.