Sean Dyche hits back at Benitez’s claims that NUFC cannot compete with Burnley in the transfer market

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has hit back at Benitez’s claims that NUFC cannot compete with his side in the transfer market, stating that he understand Rafa’s transfer frustrations, but does not believe his comments were true.

This reaction from Dyche has come from Rafa’s comments earlier in the week, with him saying the following in a rather candid press conference:

“We have to compete against Huddersfield, Burnley & Brighton but we couldn’t sign the players they signed or pay the wages they paid.

“We are where we are because we did what we did. We couldn’t sign players and couldn’t pay wages or the fee.”

The above statement raised a lot of eyebrows, suggesting a shocking lack of backing by Mike Ashley, however Sean Dyche has played down such suggestions, stating mainly that wages would not be something Burnley could compete with Newcastle on:

‘Someone sent me that, we’re probably not the best example to use,’ he said.

‘Certainly not on wages. I don’t think we’re up there yet. It’s probably stretching it a little bit to include us in that.

‘I’d be surprised if we’re thrown in the mix with that company on a wage scale.

‘But I understand his point, trying to bring some reality that Newcastle historically have probably been more powerful financially than at this moment.’

You can see where Dyche is coming from, but is forgetting that he’s been allowed to break Burnley’s transfer record on FOUR occasions over the last 18 months, with the arrival of Steven Defour, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady and Chris Wood (£15m) helping edge Burnley to towards an established Premier League side.

He does however admit that the transfer market is becoming very difficult – an issue Rafa Benitez experienced as much as any over the summer:

‘It’s incredibly tough, constantly,’ he said.

‘We’re looking at options constantly, where you go to get your players and for what reason. The margin of difference now is enormous to go to the obvious next level.

‘That’s something (else) that Benitez did say. I think one of the things he said was, ”if you want a top striker, it’s £40m”.

‘He’s right there because to make the big jump, where you are hedging your bets strongly that they’re going to better you, that’s not like a couple of million anymore. It’s a huge jump.

‘The market has moved forward.’

I think Dyche is getting the wrong end of the stick here. Yes Benitez’s comments may appear slightly mystifying, but he’s got his hands tied.

There’s no doubt money there to be spent, but Ashley clearly isn’t willing to invest.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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