‘Tell them pep’, ‘They should change their mindset’ – Man City fans react as Guardiola makes net-spending dig at rivals

Pep Guardiola made it clear that critics will have to “change the argument” around Manchester City’s financial power as he pointed to their recent net spend.

The defending champions, who won their first Premier League title just over a decade ago, have flourished since the arrival of their Abu Dhabi owners.

The hierarchy has long poured money into the playing squad, especially in the early days. Guardiola has been able to utilise their budget since arriving in 2016.

City have spent huge sums on the likes of Jack Grealish (£100million), Rodri (£63m), Erling Haaland (£51m) and Ruben Dias (£50m) during the Catalan’s tenure.

That has led to accusations of them buying their success, but Guardiola, whose side are by no means guaranteed the title this season, pointed to their spending habits in recents years as he appeared to hit back at the narrative around the club.

He said: “They were saying in October or November we should win the league. Now, they can’t say it was just the team who spent the most money because the last five years our net spend is fifth in England, 12th or 13th in Europe, so they can’t say that. They’ll have to change their argument.”

These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@FodenCTID: “Tell them pep”

@MxrioMCFC: “Maybe we should get back to being first on that list.”

@ederso_n: “Who tf cares what they say. We are rich and proud”

@murrayalex: “At last, someone from the club pointing out how other clubs have outspent us in the last 5 years”

@blcokboi:  “Y’all should change your mindset. He’s speaking the fact. Proudly a Cityzen”

@nwanneka_omeche: “The club should stop listening to the media and jealous rivals and start spending like mad people ’cause we actually do need players in different areas and we need them fast.”