Just in: Klopp told to go to court after accusing Chelsea on latest club decision
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has slammed the spending power of Chelsea in the transfer market, as he believes that clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG are spending beyond their means.
With Chelsea breaking the club’s transfer record for Romelu Lukaku, and Klopp spending just £36m on Ibrahima Konate, Klopp wasn’t happy with the spending clubs, as he hinted that they were not following Financial Fair Play rule.
“We all know the situation of Chelsea, City and PSG for example, for United I don’t know how they do it, but we have our way to do it,” Klopp told a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s season-opener against Norwich City.
“That was always the same, we can spend, we are allowed to spend the money we earn, that’s what we always did. This year we spent even before we earn money on Ibrahima Konate because after last season it was clear we cannot take any risks in this position at all.
“That’s our situation, it’s not about me being surprised, I am never surprised by the financial power of Chelsea or City or United, I’m long enough in the country to know they always find a solution to do these kind of things.
“For us, it’s our way. we keep the team together, that’s an important part of business as well. I knows its not as exciting as signing players to the outside world but the summer is always the same, people think if you don’t sign you don’t work. That is not the case.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has now responded to Klopp, and has told him to take the clubs to court if he’s not satisfied.
“Some owners want to benefit, our owners don’t want any benefits. So they don’t invest in the team, while we invest what we can,” Guardiola said.
“Before there were only one or two clubs. Now there is Chelsea with [Roman] Abramovich and our club with Sheikh Mansour. They want to be buying into football. What is the problem? We have limits for Financial Fair Play and if they don’t agree [with City’s spending] they can go to court and make a statement.
“We bought Jack Grealish because we sold [players] for £60m so, in the end, we have spent £40m. We follow absolutely the rules. At our club, the owners don’t want to lose money of course but they want to spend, so we can do it.
“Years ago, when Manchester United won a lot of titles, it was because they spent more money than other clubs. Do you remember that? At that moment Man City couldn’t do it because we did not have the owners we have now.”