'Buying players is a lot easier' - Ajax boss De Boer criticises Manchester City's philosophy

23-Oct-2012 8:10:00 PM

The 42-year-old has hit out at the Premier League champions' big-spending policy, preferring his side’s approach which he hopes can achieve a result at the Amsterdam ArenA

Ajax manager Frank de Boer has hit out at Manchester City's transfer policy, preferring his club's style and philosophy because "buying players is a lot easier".

The two sides face off in the Champions League on Wednesday night and the Dutch coach, while praising the talent at Roberto Mancini's disposal, insists that his approach is preferable.

"City is a club who spend a lot of money," De Boer told reporters. "We don't have that kind of money so we have to be creative.


MANCHESTER CITY LATEST
10/3	Manchester City are 10/3 with Bet365 to win both halves of their match against Ajax

"I like our style better because buying players is a lot easier. Their attack is worth more than our entire budget. I thought their attackers cost €142 million [£115.5m] or something.

"It doesn't matter who plays at City because all the players have a lot of quality.

"There is a difference in their players because [Edin] Dzeko and [Mario] Balotelli are more target men, [Sergio] Aguero plays around the striker's position.

“[Carlos] Tevez works really hard for the team. He's always busy and running around, so that's hard to defend."

Both teams are in desperate need for three points from the Amsterdam ArenA clash, with Ajax losing both of their opening group games and City boasting just one point after a last-gasp equaliser against Borussia Dortmund on matchday two.

And De Boer is backing his side to pick up a good result against City, declaring: "I think we can manage to get a result if we have the good form.

"Against Real Madrid we didn't play well but against Dortmund it was good. We really need a good result or else it's as good as over for us in Europe."