The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has blasted the transfer spending of Chelsea, saying if it was City that was spending as much as Chelsea have been doing lately, it would have attracted more scrutiny to the club.
Since Todd Boehly and his consortium took over Chelsea ahead of last summer, the Stamford Bridge side have spent around £850 million on new players including the £53 million they shelled out for Romeo Lavia.
But Guardiola argued that his squad would not be able to get away with spending that much money in such a short period.
Chelsea have invested roughly £323 million on eight players so far this transfer window, more than any other team in Europe. In addition, they broke Real Madrid’s 2019 record of £292 million in summer spending.
The Blues have spent £857.3 million on deals since Boehly took over in May 2022, compared to City’s £233.2 million.
“What I’m saying is that if we did it we’re dead,” Pep Guardiola said.
“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 [media] would kill me.”
Since Sheikh Mansour assumed control of Manchester City in 2008, City’s spending has drawn attention, and the Premier League has charged the side with violating 115 financial rules.
Following a Uefa inquiry in 2020, they were charged with Financial Fair Play infractions and slammed with a two-year ban from European competition which was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
