Jose Mourinho does not understand how Roma can be so limited by Financial Fair Play when clubs can spend as if they are ‘in another universe,’ as they have ‘done nothing’ to replace Tammy Abraham.
The season begins on Sunday against Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico, kicking off at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT).
Along with injured Abraham and Marash Kumbulla, they are also missing suspended Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, but above all still don’t have a new striker after a summer of missed targets.
“Everyone knows the situation with the striker, but for me to come here and cry over it is pointless,” said the coach in his press conference.
“We all know that since we lost Abraham on June 5 we have done nothing to compensate for that. The director and the club are doing everything possible, I can only train the players at my disposal. We have two fundamental players who cannot play tomorrow.
“I ask the fans to play their part. A packed stadium in mid-August with incredible heat. I ask even those who are angry, who don’t have flags behind the goal and who arrive 10 minutes late to do their best, because the game starts from the first minute. With all these difficulties, we’ll be there tomorrow to play our game.”
Roma have brought in Leandro Paredes, Renato Sanches, Evan N’Dicka, Houssem Aouar and Rasmus Kristensen for a total expenditure of €3.5m between loans and free agents.
That was after director Tiago Pinto was forced to sell enough players to bring in €30m by June 30 to balance the books and avoid even further clampdowns from UEFA over their FFP settlement agreement.
“A lot has been done and very well. Raising €30m under pressure, that was not easy for the club. I helped too, increasing the value of players from almost zero so we could save the club at the limit. We have certain legal and economic limitations, so it was difficult to do better in the circumstances.
“I cannot say that I am happy, because the season kicks off tomorrow, but I do not argue and try to be positive, because the players need my positivity. I am convinced the club will sign who I want.”
When it comes to the Financial Fair Play limitations on Roma, Mourinho lashes out at the expenses he sees around Europe.
“There are some numbers that I’ll be honest I still don’t entirely understand, especially when compared with other clubs, not to mention clubs who are in another universe. This is a legal issue, it is not my job to understand that. I work with the players at my disposal and trust the club when they tell me we will resolve this situation by the end of the transfer window.
“I have to respect and wait, but I also have to play tomorrow and work out who can go on the pitch.”