Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes big clubs must sign big name players to continue succeeding on the pitch.

It is looking more and more likely that City will relinquish its hold of the Premier League title this season, as they currently trail league leading Chelsea by nine points with eight matches remaining.

Speaking ahead of his side’s game against Crystal Palace, Pellegrini lamented City’s failure to sign a world class player last year, saying the club cannot afford to repeat that this summer.

“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,” Pellegrini said.

“I’m not just talking about Manchester City. You see Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all 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 analyze all the players. So it is not the right moment to talk about it.”

For the majority of the season, the race for the Premier League title seemed to be between two teams: Chelsea and Manchester City. However, late season surges by Arsenal and Manchester United – combined with City’s dip in form – have seen the title race opened up to more challengers.

Over the weekend, with their wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively, both Arsenal and Manchester United have now moved above City on the league table.

While Pellegrini still has his sights set on overtaking Chelsea and retaining City’s Premier League title, the manager is also aware of the threat posed by his Premier League competitors.

The Chilean boss is urging his side to fight until the last game of the season in order to finish as high on the table as possible.

“We are not thinking about just one team,” Pellegrini concluded. “I think it is important for our team to finish at the top of the table but if we can’t win the Premier League then we must try to be second.

“But it is important to play from now until the end of the season in a way that shows you are the important team and are prepared to fight until the last game to try and retain the title.”