The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Madrid

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said Monday that Brazil international Robinho, who made a shock move from the Spanish champions to Manchester City earlier this month, had joined a "mediocre" club.

"From a sports point of view, for me it is a disappointment because Robinho had everything here to triumph," he told private television Cuatro.

"But you have to respect his dream to be a good player in a mediocre club in England," the German coach added.

Robinho, who was under contract with nine-time European Champions Real until 2010, had repeatedly said he was determined to join Chelsea, who are now coached by former World Cup-winning Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But in the final minutes of the transfer window on September 1, the 24-year-old winger signed a four-year deal with Manchester City-who were playing second-tier football just six years ago -- after Chelsea refused to meet Real's asking price of 40 million euros (57 million dollars).

Robinho had been unhappy with Real over their willingness to sell him to fund a failed move to sign Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

He scored his debut goal for Manchester City during his new side's 3-1 loss on Saturday to Chelsea.