Alex McLeish admits the likes of Aston Villa can longer compete on the same financial footing as an elite group of 'super clubs'.
Scottish coach admits Villa can't compete with Europe's wealthy elite
Alex McLeish admits the likes of Aston Villa can longer compete on the same financial footing as an elite group of 'super clubs'.
Villa are fortunate to have the backing of a wealthy owner in the form of American tycoon Randy Lerner, but even he cannot afford to match the funding on offer elsewhere.
With the Real Madrids, Barcelonas and Manchester Citys of this world able to dip into a seemingly limitless pot of cash, everyone else is forced to play catch-up.
Villa have reluctantly accepted their fate, with it impossible for them to shun interest from afar once their top stars fall under the spotlight.
England internationals such as Stewart Downing, James Milner, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry have all passed through Villa Park in recent years, but they are not the only ones to have been asset-stripped by European football's superpowers.
"We can't compete with the super clubs, there is no doubt about it," said McLeish.
Different planet
"Everybody in football, no matter who it is, has their price.
"Look at Cristiano Ronaldo - who thought he would ever leave (Manchester) United?
"But there was a price ultimately to pay and Real Madrid met that price.
"And it is the same at every other club. Barcelona met the price of Arsenal for (Cesc) Fabregas.
"There are a bunch of super clubs that are very difficult for everyone else to compete with in the long run. They are on a different planet."
