03 February 2023 , 17:52
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As the Premier League is set to resume following the January transfer window, Chelsea ’s spending spree was the hot topic in manager press conferences.
The Blues spent a staggering £323million during the recent window, with their £105m acquisition of Enzo Fernandez a British record. That followed a summer where eight players arrived at a cost north of £250m.
And while Chelsea boss Graham Potter has hinted their spending patterns could now change, the ramifications of their aggressive strategy under Todd Boehly are still being felt. Ahead of this weekend’s fixtures - which starts with Potter’s side facing Fulham - managers were all asked for their thoughts on Chelsea’s record-breaking window.
Mirror Football takes a look at some of the most notable responses:
Pep Guardiola - Manchester City
The City boss has spent in the region of a billion pounds since his move to English football, but did have a quiet month. Maximo Perrone was the only arrival at a cost of £8m, with Joao Cancelo going the other way.
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Guardiola pulled no punches with his verdict on Chelsea’s activity, pointing back to the concerted effort by Premier League clubs to block them from the Champions League. Back in 2020, while City were being investigated for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, as many as nine top-flight rivals launched a bid to stop them entering Europe’s top competition.
Pep Guardiola said he knew exactly how the Premier League would respond if Man City spent the same (Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)Asked what the reaction would be if City had spent so heavily, he said: “I know what would happen. What I said, being the last 5th or 6th in the Premier League being net spending, we won 11 trophies, four Premier Leagues in five years.
“What Chelsea have done is none of my business. We know what we are working with. What Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, [Manchester] United, without good players you have to spend.
“Now the market is…wow. What they do is not my business. There are regulations, I don't forget, eight or nine teams send a letter for us to be banned.”
Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp joked he would only answer with the presence of a lawyer (Liverpool FC)
The Liverpool boss - in relation to his direct rivals - has often kept his net spend relatively low, with the Reds a model for clubs across Europe. Supporters were furious that their January business started and finished with the signing of Cody Gakpo.
Klopp has always remained realistic that Liverpool, under the ownership of FSG, will never be able to financially compete with the likes of City - and now Chelsea.
He kept pretty tight-lipped about what transpired at Stamford Bridge, but admitted he had no idea how they were able to carry it out.
"I say nothing without my lawyer,” joked Klopp. “I don't understand this part of the business but it's a big number.
“They are all really good players so congratulations. I don't understand how it's possible, but it's not for me to explain how it works."
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Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
"It’s the context that we are living in. We had in our side the possibility to do certain things that we didn’t do in the summer, and we were willing to improve the squad.
"I think this squad is still in a moment that we cannot waste any opportunity to evolve it in the way that whether it is to give players minutes, whether it is to improve the depth to the squad and I think every team tries to do the same."
Mikel Arteta offered a diplomatic response (Sky Sports)Unai Emery - Aston Villa
"I think it was a really big impact, how they signed players and how much they spent and how strong they are financially,” the former Villarreal boss said.”I think for the Premier League, it will be more difficult, the Premier League is potentially now the best in the world and financially they are showing it.”
Patrick Vieira - Crystal Palace
“They did what they believed they needed to do in the market to get into the Champions League or challenge the teams at the top,” Vieira said. “But it’s not me that has to comment.”
Thomas Frank - Brentford
“This is not against Chelsea. I would love it if there was something that could just limit it a bit. I think it disrupts the competition that some clubs can do what Chelsea have done over these two windows. Around £600m, crazy.”
Julen Lopetegui - Wolves
“I don’t have anything to say about other teams. The issues of each team depends on the economy and the needs that they have. When the transfer window is open, each team has their needs and strategy.
Asked if he would be happy to have that much to spend he added: “Well we try to improve to have more choices and options. We need to be more balanced and now we have more problems to make a squad. This is a good problem.”
Jesse Marsch - Leeds United
“I saw Jurgen Klopp’s response and maybe I should respond the same thing here,” he said. “When teams have resources and capabilities to make big transfers, that’s a benefit to them, their fans and their club. I’m focused on us, I’m thankful to be at a place where we walk together and have a vision.”
Asked if he was jealous of Chelsea, Marsch added: “Envy isn’t the right word. I’ve said that I’d like to be here a long time. As a manager you just want to find somewhere with like-minded people and that’s what we have here.”