“Do what they want”- Pep Guardiola takes a potshot at Chelsea transfer outlay

Pep Guardiola says he would be dead if Manchester City spent money like Chelsea

Pep Guardiola has claimed that Manchester City would come under intense criticism if they spent like Chelsea in the transfer window under new owner Todd Boehly.

The West Londoners have been among the heaviest spenders in the transfer window under new owner Boehly. The Blues have spent £857.3 million since the American businessman took over last summer. Meanwhile, this summer, the Blues have spent £323 million on signings, overtaking Real Madrid’s £292 million outlay in 2019.

Meanwhile, City’s transfer record has been £233.2m spent over the course of one single transfer window. They have spent heavily since Sheikh Mansour took over as the new owner, and now they are facing charges from the Premier League for 115 breaches of financial fairplay.

City faced a similar ban in 2020 when they violated the Financial Fair Play rule, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban after an investigation by UEGA. Now Guardiola feels if City spend like Chelsea, they will be making headlines everywhere, (h/t BBC). Here is what he said:

“What I’m saying is that if we did it, we’d be dead. For Chelsea, it’s easier than for us. I have no criticism; they can do what they want. But we would be under scrutiny like you cannot imagine. I wouldn’t be sitting here if we spent what Chelsea have spent in two transfer windows; you [the media] would kill me.”

Recruiting young players whose contracts run for seven to eight years has seen us avoid violating FFP. We have made sensible financial decisions and are constructing projects for the future.

We have not violated FFP, as City are alleged to have, and are currently in the clear. Guardiola is entitled to his opinion but given how he has thrown money at players at any club he has been, accusing us sounds rich.

More Chelsea News

• Mauricio Pochettino says they have a quality striker in Nicolas Jackson who will make his mark
• Chelsea have come under Premier League scrutiny for breaking financial rules
• Transfer News: Chelsea will turn down AC Milan’s bid for Armando Broja

City spent their early years irresponsibly, and it took them some time to establish themselves as a competitive team. Perhaps their insecurity comes from the fact that we are putting together the pieces for a potentially great team that can dominate for years to come. Hopefully Mauricio Pochettino will give Guardiola our answer on the field this season.