Toni Kroos has fired a brutal comment at the Premier League's lack of European success despite huge transfer expenditure whilst also aiming a subtle dig at former Real Madrid teammate Casemiro.
The Premier League enjoyed a record-breaking summer of spending in the most recent transfer window. Of all the 20 Premier League clubs combined, they managed to spend £1.9bn throughout the window - a record amount for an entire season.
That spending dwarfs that of the other top five leagues across Europe, with clubs once again electing to invest heavily in their squads following the financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite that, Real Madrid playmaker Kroos has pointed to the fact that sustained spending did not lead to an English club enjoying success in Europe - his side having overcome Liverpool in the most recent Champions League final. His comments seem somewhat misguided considering both Chelsea and Liverpool have won the the competition recently, whilst six teams have reached the previous five finals.
In the meantime, the last four Europa League finals have seen a number of English sides present.
Away from that, the German also appeared to aim a subtle dig at former teammate Casemiro - the Brazilian having elected to bid farewell to the reigning European and Spanish giants in a £59m move to Manchester United.
Will Casemiro be a good signing for Man Utd? Share your thoughts in the comments below
As quoted by Marca, Kroos said: "The Premier League has not won an international title this year.
"Television money has been significantly higher in England for years and yet it hasn't resulted in English teams winning everything. Thank God not all players look only at salary but also at winning."
Despite Kroos' subtle dig, Casemiro has already refuted claims that he decided to move to Old Trafford for just financial reasons - the 30-year-old having been handed a lucrative four-year contract with the option of a further season by the Old Trafford hierarchy and has now become one of United's best-paid players.
Speaking after confirmation of his switch to Man Utd, he said: "Those who think that don't know me. I'm not like that. If it was for money, then I could have left four or five years ago. The club always acted well with me. It was my decision. It was simply the feeling that my cycle here had come to an end. This was clear to me."
Casemiro has so far made three appearances for the Red Devils since his switch from the Santiago Bernabeu but has failed to make a start under Erik ten Hag - instead making a handful of substitute appearances, the most recent coming in the 3-1 victory against Arsenal.
The Brazilian will be hopeful of making his full United debut in midweek as the Ten Hag's troops get their Europa League campaign underway against Spanish side Real Sociedad.
