Guardiola: 'Man City will be killed if they buy players like Chelsea'
"With Chelsea, everything is easier than we are," Guardiola said at a press conference before the second round of the Premier League against Newcastle. "I wouldn't be sitting here if Man City spent the same amount of money as Chelsea in the last two transfer windows. You'll kill me. You can't imagine how much scrutiny we are under."
Since buying Chelsea in the summer of 2022, Todd Boehly has spent nearly $1.3 billion to buy players. The American billionaire uses many ways to circumvent UEFA's Financial Fair Play laws. One of the main reasons why Chelsea are not "whispered" is that they sell players of equal value to refresh the budget and salary fund.
Guardiola insists he does not mean to criticize the opponent's transfer policy. Man City coach has respect for Boehly and has met this businessman directly, but also believes that Man City has its own transfer policy.
"We have to keep an eye on what's going on in the transfer market and spend our money in a way that we believe is fair. We wanted Harry Maguire in 2019 but didn't buy it because we refused to give up such a large sum. Man City also omitted Marc Cucurella (last summer) and Alexis Sanchez (2018). We just spent the money in the right way. Otherwise, I am ready to use players from the academy," said Guardiola.
There are rumors that Man City is looking to buy a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, after the Belgian midfielder was injured and is expected to sit out until February 2024. But Guardiola thinks this is not easy.
In addition, he assesses that the summer transfer window needs to be shorter and end before the season begins. Currently, the deadline for European clubs to buy and sell players is August 31, but many national championships have started since last week.
According to Guardiola, the arrival of Saudi clubs will change the transfer market. Man City sold one of the pillars Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli for $ 38 million this summer. "Everybody complains about Saudi Arabia. But when they come in, roll out the red carpet and ask for a lot of money, everyone opens up. This tournament and others complain about Saudi Arabia until they shake hands with them. "Clubs do business in a defiant way. That's reality. Everyone wants the best for them," said Guardiola.
