Liverpool’s former manager Gerard Houllier has discussed Manchester United’s deal to sign Paul Pogba for a world record fee.
As you’ll know, our rivals clinched the £89m deal for the French midfield late last night, after an irritating summer of speculation.
The money spent is ludicrous for a 23-year-old with bags of ability but little game-changing pedigree, but United can spend their cash anyway they like and it’s up to us to compete in our own way.
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“It could become a problem depending on the personality of the player, who shouldn’t put himself under pressure in terms of that. That’s why the manager’s discourse is very important,” Houllier, who managed France between 1992 and 1993, told L’Equipe (via ESPN).
“But he’s not going to have €100m games every week… therefore you have to know his character. Then it depends on the club and the environment. The English want a star.
“Manchester United generate impressive income. €120m over five years? That’s an instalment of €25m per season — it’s reasonable when you have a budget of over €500m. Because Man U carry out purchases or sales every transfer window of around €50m.
“It’s no longer a club. It’s a factory.”
While United and City are breaking spending records seemingly for the sake of it, Liverpool are likely to end this summer’s transfer window with a negative net spend.
That means that in Jurgen Klopp’s first summer in charge we’ve made money while still bringing in seven players he wanted.
That, for us – is impressive transfer business – not wildly flinging money about on managers and players after two years of giving youth a chance…
We’ll see how they get on. Under Klopp though, we’re confident.