“Their opinion”- Potter hits back at rival managers following accusations of having an empty chequebook

Chelsea boss Graham Potter responds to comments on spending by Guardiola and Klopp

As quoted by Evening Standard, Chelsea boss Graham Potter has hit back at the criticism of the club’s January spending by some high-profile managers, including Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

Chelsea signed eight players last month, including breaking the British transfer record to get Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on deadline day. They spent nearly £300m in January, taking a total outlay of investment up to £600m in the squad in the last two transfer window.s

Last Friday, when asked about the heavy spending by the Blues, Klopp jokingly replied that he won’t say anything without a lawyer and then went on to congratulate Chelsea for doing the business (seemed sarcastic).

Guardiola, on the other hand, talked about the hypocrisy in the country, referring to the fact that had Manchester City done this, it would have been portrayed as a bad thing.

Here’s Potter responding to these criticisms (h/t Evening Standard):

“We’ve spent the money we’ve spent.

“The media aren’t going to let that go under the radar. All of football will be singing that song, that’s for sure. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. There’s free speech, which is good. I don’t worry about that.

“Envy isn’t a good quality to have. I’ve never been envious of anybody. I’ve tried to work and do the best I can in the circumstances I have.”

Irrespective of what the other managers say, Potter was not the one spending crazy money in the transfer market. Moreover, the boss did the right thing by addressing the criticism and giving a fitting response to them, because part of his job is to protect the club’s interest in front of the media.

As crazy as the spending was, it had a pattern to it. Chelsea were targeting the top young talents to build a new squad. They may have overpaid for a couple of players, but that is how transfers work. You cannot get each player at the price you want. There is a negotiating party at both ends.

One thing is clear though – Potter is under pressure to deliver the goods now. This season, as bad as it has been so far, can still end in a good way. We are not out of the top four race and the Champions League knockout ties are about to start very soon.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea looking to offer Conor Gallagher a new deal
• Chelsea express interest in Manchester United target and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen
• La Liga’s top executive has expressed doubt about Chelsea and the Premier League regarding spending prowess

Let’s hope the manager finds a way to pick his best XI and play them together more often than not to form an understanding and chemistry between players.