(Football news) Following Newcastle United’s £300m takeover led by Saudi based Public Investment Fund, Leeds United’s owner Andrea Radrizzani has asked the Premier League to ensure Financial Fair Play will come into effect to ensure Newcastle ‘plays fair’ in their pursuit towards success.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Radrizzani said “Money in football is not always equal to success, it's been shown many times, I think we have a brilliant project run by Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta on the football, and we will continue with our strategy to focus on our recruitment and grow our own players.
“This year, for example, we had more than 16 national-team players in our youth teams, and in the last Under 20 England team we had four players on the pitch and two on the bench. This is synonymous (with) good investment in the youth and in the academy.
"At the same time, obviously a club like Newcastle or Manchester City – owned and controlled by sovereign funds – they have unlimited possibilities. That's why I believe the Premier League should apply fair-play regulation to make sure we play fair, we play in the same competition with similar opportunities."
While the takeover will mean that Newcastle United will have the financial backing from it’s new owners, the Magpies will be more focused on survival in the current season as they currently occupy the 19th position in the Premier League table and look set for relegation unless the situation improves drastically. The club may need as many as 17 players to turn their fortunes around and the January transfer window may play an important role in bringing in the necessary personnel to ensure survival.
Unfortunately, the Magpies cannot immediately begin investing in some of the best players on the planet because a 19th position finish will wreak havoc in their long term plans. A relegation to the Championship all but guarantees no big name players would want to play at Newcastle, irrespective of the money on offer and survival in the current Premier League season must be the biggest priority for the Magpies at the moment.
Steve Bruce will be in charge of his 1000th game as a manager against Tottenham with his long term future at the club in ambiguity following the takeover. The 60 year old hit out at the media during Friday’s press conference for the false reports about his sacking “I hope you're feeling the heat from your bosses, because it hasn't happened has it – what you all wanted, let's hope you're getting a bit of stick from the people who put you in charge. The information was wrong, wasn't it? So you haven't done your job properly.
“I've tried to keep my respect and dignity, which has probably served me well over the last 20-odd years, and that will remain. It's been difficult, of course, but I hope you guys are getting a slap now from your bosses to say that you haven't done your job. Whoever your source was, whoever it was who was feeding you didn't get it right, so I hope you're feeling a bit of heat."
