The cash-rich clubs of Chelsea and Manchester City are necessary for football to continue to survive, according to Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
Earlier this season, Mourinho described the likes of City, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain as “economic sharks”.
The Blues have been ‘sharks’ in the past when Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge but have fallen behind the French duo and the Citizens in spending power but Mourinho accepts the situation.
“Football needs sharks,” Mourinho said.
“Football needs investment, they need people that love the game and wants to make from smaller clubs bigger clubs.”
Asked what sort of shark Chelsea are, Mourinho said: “A clever one. The shark that knows when to attack and how to attack.”
This was shown Chelsea moved to sign Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala for a reported fee of £30million, despite the Brazil forward already having undergone a medical with Tottenham.
The signing shows Chelsea still have the financial muscle to challenge for the leading players, even when City are spending in the region of £100million without recouping anything.
Asked if Chelsea are able to spend a similar sum, without bringing money in, Mourinho said: “I don’t know. I don’t care.”
Chelsea are no longer spending £100m in transfer windows to comply with financial fair play.
“I’m happy that it’s not (unlimited spending),” Mourinho added.
“I accept the way it is. I’m happy with the way it is. “I came to Chelsea to work following a certain philosophy and I’m more than happy with the support that the board and the owner have on my team. I’m more than happy with that.”
UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations will not be enforced until next season and Mourinho hopes European football’s governing body act firmly when the time comes.
“The rules are for everybody,” he added.
“I’m not saying City aren’t following the rules. I don’t know. I speak about Chelsea, I don’t speak about City.
“Chelsea has changed a lot and Chelsea has changed thinking that Financial Fair Play is going to be in practice.
“Chelsea want UEFA to rule the situation and to fine if somebody’s not doing the same.”
Mourinho sees a bit of himself in Roberto Mancini after they were both sacked soon after ending both side’s long wait for the league.
“I did after 50 (years) and I was the same,” said Mourinho, referring to his September 2007 exit from Stamford Bridge.
And Mourinho thinks replacement Manuel Pellegrini is having a natural progression by his side’s defensive fallibility.
“If they have a little problem here and there, it’s a natural consequence of a new manager,” he said.
“Like us, we are not a perfect team. Manchester United are not a perfect team. “Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, they have better conditions to have a better start, to be more compact and closer to the managers’ ideas.
“I don’t need to defend Pellegrini, Pellegrini doesn’t need to defend me, (but) it’s not easy to start with a new team
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