For the last two seasons in the English Premier League, Manchester City had ruled the roost by topping the list for lavishing money like confetti on the signings of new players.

This year, however, back came Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea to tumble City from the apex of the list.

Chelsea, in fact, regained the tag as ‘the big spenders’ in the Premier League, heading the cash classification of transfers on the ‘ins’ side with £90m for season 2011-12.

Despite their huge investment since 2009, Manchester City failed to win the championship so far and Chelsea look like they will be following suit this year.

City, however, appear to have learnt the way as they are currently leading the chase for the Premier League crown while Chelsea are lagging behind in fifth place and fighting for their lives in the Champions League, much to the disappointment of Russian mogul Abramovich whose obsession is to capture the coveted European club title.

In the last ten seasons the ‘big spenders’ were:
2011-12 − Chelsea
2010-11 – Man. City
2009-10 – Man. City
2008-09 − Tottenham
2007-08 − Tottenham
2006-07 − Chelsea
2005-06 − Chelsea
2004-05 − Chelsea
2003-04 − Chelsea
2002-03 – Man. United

Chelsea’s major signings this season:
Thibaut Courtois from Racing Genk – £7m; Oriol Romeu from Barcelona − £5m; Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht − £18m; Juan Mata from Valencia − £23.5m; Raul Meireles from Liverpool − £12m; Gary Cahill from Bolton − £7m;Kevin de Bruyne from Genk − £6.7m; Lucas Piazon from Sao Paulo – £5m; Patrick Bamford from Nottm Forest £1.5m.