Jussi: City good for Premier League

06 August 2009 15:28
City have been the Premier League's big spenders this summer, signing the likes of Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz for close on £100million as they seek to break into the top four. Bolton's transfer budget, by comparison, pales into insignificance with Gary Megson working within certain financial restraints. Jaaskelainen admits he is interested to see what difference it will make in competing with the established status quo of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. "It is a good thing for the Premier League. If people want to come and invest money good luck to them," said the Finn, who launches his charity fundraising testimonial season with a match against Hibernian at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday "Money does not always bring success. If you look at it that top four has been there for a long time, having built up to it for a number of years, so it is going to be interesting." Vast amounts have been spent on players by the big clubs this summer, with Real Madrid breaking the world transfer record with their £80million purchase of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. However, Jaaskelainen, who comes from a more down-to-earth school of footballers, defended the 'galacticos' policy at the Bernabeu. "It seems to go up every year. Maybe the next big player will be £100million," he said. "But at that level they are worth it because people want to go and see them and if you play the way Ronaldo played for United it was phenomenal and you pay for what you are getting." The 34-year-old is hoping his testimonial year will raise a more modest sum for his three chosen local charities - Birtenshaw Hall, Paws for Kids and RDA Miller's Nook Riding School. Jaaskelainen has been with Wanderers for 12 years and has decided he wants to give something back to the community which he considers his home. "The testimonial has been in my contract for the last four or five years and I decided at the end of last season I was going to have one," he said. "I came up with these three local charities, who are doing great work with the Bolton community and children, and I decided to support them. "Behind the scenes the players are doing a lot of charity work and good things and it doesn't often get noticed. "For me personally it is a great opportunity to raise money and also raise the profile of these charities. "Hopefully Saturday it is going to be a very special day for me and my family and one I will remember for the rest of my life."

Source: Team_Talk