After a record-breaking January window for the Premier League, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti feels the rest of Europe cannot keep pace.
The Premier League will always lead in Europe when it comes to transfers, but Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti vows his side will not surrender easily.
Clubs in England’s top flight spent a record £800m during the January window, led by a string of big moves for Chelsea, who broke the competition’s transfer record with the signing of Enzo Fernandez.
The financial outlay of bringing players to the Premier League has seen the competition surpass the combined totals of LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
Ancelotti suggested ahead of his side’s clash with Valencia on Thursday that European clubs will always keep pace with those across the English Channel in terms of spending, although he noted that Premier League sides will not necessarily dominate UEFA competitions.
“We know what’s going on there,” he said. “With the TV rights they can spend more, that’s how it’s going to go.
“Europe will follow the Premier League, it gives them an advantage.
“Even so, the competition against them in Europe will not end.”
Ancelotti’s side are preparing for a busy four-week period that will see them juggle games in four competitions, including the Club World Cup.
Although Madrid are ready to face the challenge, Ancelotti said the congested schedule set by UEFA and FIFA was a pressing issue for the big clubs.
“We are in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, the last 16 of the Champions League and the Club World Cup,” he added. “We don’t throw out competitions.
“It’s a [tough] calendar. LaLiga wants to do its thing, FIFA wants to do its thing, UEFA wants to do its thing. It doesn’t give us days off.
“The calendar is a very serious matter. We are excited to fight in all these competitions, but the calendar limit is exceeded. We have to do something to prevent this.”
