Foxes only eighth when it comes to transfer spending but team is still managing to challenge the league’s big names
LEICESTER City are managing to challenge at the top of the Premier League despite a significantly lower net spend on transfers since their return to the top flight, writes Jordan Blackwell.
City are highly regarded for the quality of their business in the transfer market and the numbers show clearly the level of success they have had in getting more bang for their buck. Since returning to the Premier League, City have won one more Premier League title than Boxing Day opponents Manchester United, despite a net transfer spend that is less than a third.
From 2014-15, when City came back into the top flight, to 2018-19, the latest season for which financial figures have been released, City had a net transfer spend of £194 million, according to numbers compiled by the football finance blog Swiss Ramble.
United, in comparison, have spent £590 million. They do not top the list, though, with crosstown rivals Manchester City leading the way on £639 million. Leicester are eighth on the list of current Premier League teams, also sitting behind Chelsea (£440 million), Liverpool (£337 million), Arsenal (£329 million), as well as mid-table regulars Everton (£312 million) and West Ham (£209 million).
Tottenham, famous for driving a hard bargain with Daniel Levy at the helm, perhaps have the most impressive record. They have been able to sustain top-six consistency despite a net spend of just £63 million over the five seasons, putting them 18th in the list.
However, they will rank much higher on the list once the figures for 2019-20 have officially been released after a spending spree this summer.
It is the spending of the big clubs
that prompts Brendan Rodgers to rule out a title challenge for his team.
“We’ve got such a long road to go,” he said. “We’re a young team. We’ve shown in big games a big mentality. We’ve shown in other games where we need to improve.
“That’s my job, to continue working with the players.
“With a third of the season gone, the team is in a really good place. The ambition is to continue improving.
“If you look at the other teams, Liverpool are an incredible team, they’re the champions and are very strong.
“If you look at some of the other squads, like Chelsea’s, and they’re talking about Chelsea being two or three years away from challenging after nearly spending a quarter of a billion pounds!
“For us, I’m just pleased with the development of the team.
“I felt that if we could disrupt the market of the top six, that would be a huge challenge for us.
“We won’t get carried away, but we’re showing that we are learning, and we never lose our enthusiasm.
“I’m satisfied with where we’re at, but know there is room for improvements.”
Net transfer spend from 2014-15 to 2018-19:
1. Manchester City: £639m
2. Manchester United: £590m
3. Chelsea: £440m
4. Liverpool: £337m
5. Arsenal: £329m
6. Everton: £312m
7. West Ham: £209m
8. Leicester City: £194m
9. Fulham: £148m
10. Brighton: £143m
11. Crystal Palace: £138m
12. Wolves: £131m
13. Newcastle: £117m
14. Burnley: £92m
15. West Brom: £84m
16. Southampton: £81m
17. Aston Villa: £74m