As a club, if there is £500 million to spend in this era of football, instead of focusing on attackers when the defence is not strong enough, the priority should be to strengthen the defence first.
Defence is the base of any successful team, as it carries and stabilises the entire structure. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Looking at Liverpool, they spent over £500 million prior to the 2025/26 season, yet there has been little impact. One of the main reasons is that their defence is not solid enough. Similarly, Chelsea have spent heavily over the years, but their defence has not been properly strengthened.
Chelsea’s defence in the 2025/26 season has been weak, despite the club historically being known for a strong defensive foundation. This decline highlights the consequences of neglecting the defensive structure.
This is why Softfootball believes Mikel Arteta is a smart manager. Each season, he consistently adds one or two defenders to improve the squad.
A similar approach was seen during Pep Guardiola’s dominant years at Manchester City, where he prioritised defensive reinforcements. Players such as Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, Rúben Dias, and John Stones were brought in during their prime, forming a solid defensive unit that contributed significantly to their success, alongside their talented midfielders and attackers.
However, Manchester City’s defence is no longer as solid this season, and they may need to invest in defenders again, especially considering injury problems affecting players like Aké and Stones.
Barcelona face a similar issue, but they benefit from their La Masia academy. When defensive gaps appear, they are able to promote young talents such as Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Gerard Martín. This reliance on academy players has helped them cope, even without a fully established defensive base.
Ultimately, no matter how strong a team’s attack may be, without a solid defence, sustained success becomes difficult to achieve.
