Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City are unfairly criticised for their transfer spending compared to rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.
City have already got the summer transfer window off to an exciting start by confirming they have secured a deal to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. The initial fee for the Norwegian sensation is only £51million, but that rises significantly to around £86million once agents' fees and bonuses are added.
It's another big-money signing for the Blues less than a year on from their £100million acquisition of Jack Grealish last summer, which is a British transfer record. City have also spent significantly in every year of Guardiola's reign, with upwards of a further £770million being spent on his squad.
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City have predictably come in for criticism from some corners for the amount they spend but Guardiola has moved to point out that England's top side has always been the biggest spender, including United and Liverpool.
"For the people, it's just money," he told Sky Sports. "If you want to think about that, think about that.
"But I know exactly we are working here and I said okay don't give me credit, don't give us credit, but let us give ourselves credit and as a manager give to my players, to my staff.
"Listen when Liverpool in the 70s or 80s or United, who spend more money? It was Norwich? Norwich spend more money in that period? Or Leicester spend more money on them? No they spend more money than the other ones but the money for them is completely different from now.
"I am going to change it. When we put Etihad here [front of shirt] 'aw it's overpaid.' But now United and Liverpool or whoever is going to pay maybe more maybe they deserve it because they're working well, because the CEO negotiates well, whatever happens, then more because it's for United States of America or another country the owners are so now it's perfect.
"That's why we're going to change but for a long time it's not going to change, that is the reality. Only way we can change is doing well on the pitch."
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