Jose Mourinho is working on a much smaller budget than he’s been use to at Roma (Photo: Getty)
Jose Mourinho has bemoaned how easy it is for Pep Guardiola to buy and sell players amid his recent admission over Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips.
Guardiola said that he doesn’t see Phillips in his plans and admitted the England star could leave City in January – just 18 months after signing from Leeds for £42million.
The midfielder has scarcely played for the Citizens in that time, making only his second start of the season in Wednesday night’s Champions League dead rubber against Red Star Belgrade, where he scored his first goal for the club.
Though the 28-year-old has stiff competition from Rodri, he’s failed to start even when his teammate has been unavailable through injury or suspension, with many questioning why the transfer was even made.
There is much interest in the player however, with rivals Manchester United among those hoping to sign Phillips in January.
But the situation appears to have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Guardiola’s old rival Mourinho who is working on a far smaller budget at Roma.
‘Look, not that I’m jealous, but Manchester City, for example, paid €80million for Phillips,’ the former Chelsea, United and Tottenham manager said, as quoted by beIN Sports.
Kalvin Phillips has barely played for Man City since his £42m move (Photo: Getty)
‘And now in January, Pep said he will send him away and buy another [midfieder].
‘We are in a different reality. I would like one, two, three or four players, and [Roma sporting director] Tiago Pinto and the owners would like them too.
‘We all want to try to improve the team to be stronger for the second half of the season. But we have difficulties in trying to do that.’
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For context, since becoming Roma boss, Mourinho has spent around £126m on new players and has actually made a small profit on transfers.
In the same space of time, Guardiola has by contrast spent £460m with a net loss of £142m, which may well increase if they buy a replacement for Phillips in January.
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‘I’m not jealous, but…’