25 May 2023 , 08:15
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag seems to have taken a sly pop at Chelsea while discussing his club's transfer strategy ahead of the upcoming summer window.
The Dutchman has reminded fans that a club being the subject of a takeover and all the money that comes with it is no guarantee of success. Ten Hag is thought to have been told he'll have more cash to spend on new arrivals when the Glazers eventually decide on whether they plan to sell the club to either Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Chelsea are the most obvious example of how takeovers are not a sure-fire route to success after their dismal season. The Blues were bought by a Todd Boehly-led consortium for £4.25billion and despite spending just shy of £600million on transfers, the highest they can finish this term is 11th.
The two sides meet on Thursday night at Old Trafford, with Chelsea currently languishing as low as 12th under the guidance of interim manager and club legend Frank Lampard.
Ten Hag was pressed for comment on whether Chelsea are proof of the fact that takeovers don't always bring immediate success.
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The United boss seemed to dig out the Blues' reckless spending as he replied: "Absolutely, yes. When there is no strategy behind it or the right strategy, money doesn't work.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Is Ten Hag's assessment of the situation accurate? Comment below
Todd Boehly has spent around £600million on his Chelsea squad (Getty Images)"In this moment, let's say there is a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also of the money, it is all here in the UK. That makes a great competition, but also a tough and hard competition.
"You have to do the right things. You can have money but you have to spend it in a smart way. Also, you need a strategy behind it because, otherwise, the money doesn't work."
While Chelsea are well aware there will be no European football of any kind at Stamford Bridge next term, United need just one point from their meeting with the Blues to secure their place in the Champions League for next season - ending Liverpool's hopes of qualification in the process.
Having already bagged one piece of silverware in the Carabao Cup and a date with Manchester City in the FA Cup final coming up, Champions League qualification on top of that marks a stellar first season in charge of United for Ten Hag.
The aim for next season is surely to kick on and challenge for the biggest honours. Though to do so, United will have to follow Ten Hag's orders and be smart with their recruitment to avoid being in a situation not too dissimilar to the mess Chelsea have found themselves in this campaign.