Monaco, the project has changed - Joao Moutinho

Monaco wowed the footballing world when on returning to top flight football in 2013 spent £140m pounds on recruiting players Like Dimitar Barbatov,Elderson Echiejile, Joao Moutinho, Ramadel Falcao, Anthony Martial, James Rodriguez, Ricardo Carlvaho.



Monaco finished second to Paris Saint-Germain but attendances and commercial revenue did not increase significantly, while the club aslo became concerned abut breaching UEFA`s financial fair play rules.

The club has since changed its transfer policy and has begun to sell its star players.

Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho, 29, said it has been a frustrating experience watching top players being sold off to other clubs. He arrived in Monaco along side James Rodriguez for  joint fee of €70m. The latter who has now being sold to Real Madrid after the world cup, last year.

Joao Moutinho.         

"The project has changed,"....., "I didn't feel misled but I was upset. I want to play for a team that plays every competition to win. And in this project, it's more difficult -- there's naturally a bit of frustration."   Joao Moutinho told L'Equipe.

Last season AS Monaco FC lost Falcao to Manchester United (now on loan at Chelsea) and James Rodriguez to Real Madrid, but still managed to finish third in Ligue 1 and also reached the Champions League quarterfinals.

Rodriguez on the right has since moved to Real Madrid

This season, the club sold off key players such as Kondogbia, Anthony Martial, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Aymen Abdennour and Layvin Kurzawa raising in excess of €150m. Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev in September, insisted the club were still ambitious, pointing out that they had also spent €75m on new players.

Anthony Martial flying high for Manchester United

Moutinho, has suggested that Monaco should learn from one of his former teams to achieve a better balance.

"Porto is different, they don't let four or five starters leave from one season to another. They sell one or two players and, when they do so, they already have a replacement who's been there for a year to take their place"......

"What's important is to find a good balance between the team, the objectives and the financial aspect. That's what Monaco needs"......"I've been here three years and the team has won nothing. We have to do everything to give our supporters something to celebrate."


Moutinho is one of the few major signings from the 2013-2014 season who is still at the club, but the Portuguese admits that he has considered moving on.

"There were discussions but nothing materialized".....,"We'll see what happens at the end of the season. At the moment it would no longer be any use to talk about it"
"I'm at Monaco, focused on my club. The team is young, it needs to be led. I've accepted to take up the challenge."







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