Manuel Pellegrini says Manchester City must buy a big-name player this summer if they are to compete with Europe’s biggest sides.

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After their Premier League and League Cup successes last season, City could finish empty-handed unless they can overhaul Chelsea’s nine-point lead at the top.

The club’s under-achievement, particularly in the Champions League where they lost to Barcelona at the last-16 stage, has left Pellegrini under pressure.

And whether the Chilean, whose side are now fourth as they face Crystal Palace tonight, sees out the final year of his contract or not, he insists City have to sign a star name or risk further disappointment.

“It is just the way of thinking, that big teams need to sign a big player,” he said. “It is very difficult to do it every year – but every two years you must do it. I’m not just talking about Manchester City. You see Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all the big clubs – all do it. It is important to have big names.

“I repeat it is very difficult to do it every year, but it is important to do it after two years and you must try always to improve your squad. I’m talking about all big teams, not especially Manchester City.”

Having been restricted by Financial Fair Play rules, City have now been linked with the world’s costliest player, Gareth Bale, after

his troubles at Real Madrid, Wolfsburg’s Kevin de Bruyne, Everton’s Ross Barkley and Liverpool front-man Raheem Sterling given his reluctance to sign a new contract.

And, with Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson also attracting interest, the Chilean admits homegrown players will be targeted.

“We do need English players, we need good players, so it is important after the season has finished to think about what we are going to do,” he added. “It is very important the way we finish this season before we analyse the players. So it is not the right moment to talk about it.”

City travel to Selhurst Park, facing a Palace side rejuvinated under Alan Pardew. Palace have won six out of 10 league games since Pardew succeeded Neil Warnock at the start of the year to all but guarantee their place in the Premier League next season, boosting the profile of their manager.

Pardew harbours no thoughts of leaving Palace in the near future, but maintains he would acquit himself better than some of the managers currently employed by the Premier League’s trophy-chasing sides.

“I look at the top teams and feel I could do that job better than I’m seeing it being done,” Pardew told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But I’m quite happy where I am and if I work in this part of the league for the rest of my career I will be extremely happy.

“I’m really happy here – I don’t really want another job. Even if I have great success here I won’t be looking to jump away.”