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Chelsea news: Graham Potter fires back at Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola - ‘Envy isn’t a good quality to have’

Chelsea news: Graham Potter fires back at Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola - ‘Envy isn’t a good quality to have’

Graham Potter has hit back at criticism of Chelsea’s January spending.

After investing an outlay of well over £300m - taking the total sum spent to above £600m since May’s takeover - during the winter market, the Blues have been questioned.

Seven players arrived during a frantic month, many on long-term contracts as the Boehly-Clearlake regime continue to overhaul the squad.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola both discussed the topic on Friday, with Klopp issuing a bewildered response.

“I don’t understand how it’s possible, but it’s not for me to explain how it works,” said the Liverpool boss.

Guardiola, meanwhile, stressed that the reaction would have been much worse had it been City who embarked on such a huge spending spree.

During Friday’s draw with rivals Fulham, chants of “What a waste of money” were audible in the away end at Stamford Bridge, particularly directed towards British record signing Enzo Fernandez.

Potter, however, claims he simply never envied clubs with greater resources before his appointment at Chelsea.

“We’ve spent the money we’ve spent,” he said.

“The media aren’t going to let that go under the radar. All of football will be singing that song, that’s for sure. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. There’s free speech, which is good. I don’t worry about that.

Marquee signings: Mudryk and Fernandez were two huge signings for Chelsea last month (AFP via Getty Images)
Marquee signings: Mudryk and Fernandez were two huge signings for Chelsea last month (AFP via Getty Images)

“Envy isn’t a good quality to have. I’ve never been envious of anybody. I’ve tried to work and do the best I can in the circumstances I have.

“You’re best to compare to yourself rather than somebody else because you don’t know the context or the situation. I also understand that’s the world we’re in, and that’s fine by me.”