LONDON (AP) – Chelsea have spent more than any other English Premier League team in a $300 million summer move-in window, while Manchester United and Tottenham will spend more on reinforcements before the window closes in a few weeks.
All this at a time when clubs in the divisions below the world’s richest league struggle to survive.
As the country reports a momentary wave of coronavirus infections, there is no chance that enthusiasts will be able to enter stadiums for months, depriving most professional clubs in England of their highest incomes.
“Now, when the rate is going up and the enthusiasts aren’t coming, it’s even worse for football and society at large,” said Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “I’m worried about ligue 1 and Ligue 2 groups and declining league groups too, of course I, but all Premier League groups are wasting money. “
Even Man United, which has been valued at more than $3 billion, is feeling the impact: in the first part of last season, it generated more than 55 million pounds ($70 million) in gaming revenue, which will be denied this year.
United, who finished third last season, opened the new Premier League with a home defeat to Crystal Palace, the only signing of the summer that paid Ajax 35 million pounds for Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek.
“We’re running to improve,” said Solskjaer, striker of Saturday’s match opposite Brighton, when asked about movement plans.
Although United supporters are pushing for them to spend before the October 5 exchange deadline, Solskjaer attenuated calls by reminding them of bankruptcy local clubs.
Property problems and monetary disorders before the pandemic caused Bury to be expelled from Ligue 1 last year. Macclesfield, recently relegated from League Two, was forced to liquidate this month.
“I hope we can go back and football is “normal” and we don’t lose too many clubs,” Solskjaer said. “We want clubs, we’ve noticed Bury, Macclesfield . . . and it’s not a smart situation. “
The English Football League, which includes all 72 Premier League clubs, is seeking elite monetary help. The government also believes that a league that spends so much on players helps groups below the pyramid.
“In fact, it would help concepts help any form of football or base football get the help it wants to stay alive in these difficult times,” Said Chelsea coach Frank Lampard, “and we’re all going to go play together, I guess. . “
The EFL warned that its clubs would face collective losses of two hundred million pounds if spectators simply do not return this season, which is expected to end in May. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned this week that existing restrictions on viruses can remain in position for at least six months, adding a ban on collecting more than six people on computers.
“Overall, I think other people in a better position deserve to help others in a lower position,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. “The resolution for all clubs right now is not easy. I’m not sure how the government discovers time. to think about it, they have had enough with other things, however, I perceive 100 percent – football deserves to take a look at attendance. “
Clubs facing the Premier League such as Arsenal, which continue to qualify for the Champions League, are willing to spend on signing or retaining skills, such as Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who gets a new contract worth about 1 million pounds a month. – while making 55 layoffs in football departments to save money.
“The club is betting without the fans, and financially the implications it has, how it can still be sustainable,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said before Monday’s Liverpool holiday. “(I’m thinking about) the things we want. Achieve as a team also verify finances. It is very important that each and every club does not arrive too late, because then the forward challenge is brutal. “
But while the highlights are the smaller clubs that might be forced to close, Burnley’s executive leader, Sean Dyche, noted that in other industries, richer corporations may be at the back of the food chain.
“If we can play our component and the powers in position somewhere, we can help, then, of course,” Dyche said. “But all those market position leaders in their fields therefore deserve to protect and care for the corporations that can locate it. Stronger. ‘
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