Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[Niall_Quinn]

I understand what you’re saying but I’m having a real problem with the whole set up of the game these days. The players get far too much attention and it’s just too easy to throw them under the bus. There is an obscene amount of money being thrown about in football. The TV rights money, sponsorship, season ticket prices, transfer fees… it’s boarding on disgusting and prices keep going up each year. The guys paying these player wages are raking it in and stay anonymous for most parts. Football is run by vultures that have no compassion for the game but the player is the one that takes most of the brunt when we talking about greed in the game.

I have no idea what it’s like to be a footballer or live that lifestyle, but I can imagine them asking themselves why they should be the one to ‘rein it in’ when everyone else around them can run rampant with no restraint. Sponsorship deals and TV right deals continue to rocket, transfer fees keep going up and there has to be some boardroom level execs really having a ball of time with all the money they’re making. So if such a character wants to sit you down and downplay the difference between a £100k and £200k lifestyle, maybe lecture you on how loyalty to the club is important and thinking of the fans, you just can’t take them seriously. Why should you? It’s the principle.

I have no idea how Wenger’s contract talks went or why they took long to put pen to paper but the double standards in football ensure that sort of thing doesn't go to the press. I think it’s bad that he’s talking so openly to the press about Theo’s contact, something that should be private and this is the same man that brought in the 30+ contract policy which goes against rewarding loyalty. That’s just one example of the double standards and contradictions in football. I just hope one day viewing figures and match day attendance numbers plummet hard enough to give some of these guys a real reality check.

I didn't mean loyalty and gratitude to the club, that concept vanished when the Americans and Russians arrived. Before that even, when that grubby crook Murdoch was allowed in. Hardly a surprise when you look at FIFA, UEFA and the FA, organisations dedicated to feathering nests. At the top level the game is lost and has been for years and I agree that it would be unreasonable for a player to have any affinity with that sort of shit.

I'm talking about the fans and their relationship with the players and vice versa. There's nowhere near enough emphasis placed on the role the fans play in the game. Without the fans there's nothing, no big sponsorship deals because they wouldn't make sense, no TV deals because nobody would watch and no player contracts because nobody would be paying to get into the stadium. This is what has been taken for granted as the fans have been relegated to a supply and demand equation. This leaves players with a choice. I mean senior players because of course youngsters will want to make it as far in the game as possible and that will inevitable mean changing clubs to progress. Same goes for players seeing out their careers who can't necessarily remain at the top level. With the established players though who have worked their way to a decent contract at a top flight club, there needs to be at least a passing consideration for the fans or else don't come at all. Cut to the chase and go to some mercenary outfit instead.

I hear what you are saying when you ask why should players be prepared to kick something back when the owners and associated hangers-on are scraping out everything they can. It's a fair question. This is the choice, take a huge salary and be loyal to the tribe (not the shitty Russian owner) or take an even bigger salary and abandon ship for a new tribe. Don't expect to be taken seriously when you pick the latter option. There are no part-time memberships on offer, or at least there shouldn't be.

But, like I said, I doubt such considerations will enter into these negotiations.

[Bumble]

there is too much money in football but it isn't because of the chavs and citeh. we cant blame them. its the whole set up. the premier league and champions league ruin football. CL football means all players want to play that level and the better ones will always leave if after a season or two don't get it. If CL was only one team then you would see the leagues even out and make things more competitive. The top clubs wouldn't stockpile players.

alas too much money, each TV deal is more ridiculous than the last. the money ends up in the players pockets while the fans both attendees and armchair are the ones who ultimately pay. with the amount of the new tv deal, every club could halve prices and still live comfortably. now that would be a real benefit.

on transfers we have been linked with sterling. yes please.

[Niall_Quinn]

I completely agree with the sentiment about the modern game. The way I see things, we (as fans) no longer support a Football Club... We are now just punters to the "sporting ventures" of the rich and greedy. Within these ventures you have the contractors all just going through the motions earning their wages. When a better offer comes then they hand their notice in and then go.

This will continue to a problem whilst there is still people willing to pay the high prices demanded for the privilege of watching football.

Football as a job rather than a passion. And you can see the results on the pitch.

I went into the living room the other day and my 8 year old was watching a footie match. Liverpool vs Sunderland - Ladies! My immediate reaction was to ask him why he was watching this. His answer - because it's football. He enjoys watching any football, he's totally into it.

So I sat down and watched for a while. Sure enough, the standard was pretty low but not as pathetic as it used to be. There were a couple of decent players on the pitch, for sure. But what I noticed most was the professionalism (genuine sporting professionalism) of the players and it was impressive. No diving, hardly any fouls, no snidey shirt pulling or sneaky pushes, no backchat to the ref, no moaning and waving imaginary cards. Just sport being played in the intended spirit.

The reason why. There's not enough money in it to ruin it. Yet. The financial angle hasn't been fine tuned. And the sport is thriving mightily as a result.

After 20 mins I was still watching and actually enjoying it. Reminded me of the last time a watched a non-league game, but better because the usual shit is even creeping in at that level.

So while it is unlikely we'll ever see the roots of the game re-emerge in the "big" leagues it remains possible to put the sport first. It is not just an idealistic dream, it's quite possible. But those who control things have no interest in sport, this much is self evident. Now we are getting to the stage where the players have limited to zero interest. Some say the game won't be able to survive as a result. They forget how popular Big Brother was. Shit can sell by the ton when packaged and marketed just so.

[Niall_Quinn]

there is too much money in football but it isn't because of the chavs and citeh. we cant blame them. its the whole set up. the premier league and champions league ruin football. CL football means all players want to play that level and the better ones will always leave if after a season or two don't get it. If CL was only one team then you would see the leagues even out and make things more competitive. The top clubs wouldn't stockpile players.

alas too much money, each TV deal is more ridiculous than the last. the money ends up in the players pockets while the fans both attendees and armchair are the ones who ultimately pay. with the amount of the new tv deal, every club could halve prices and still live comfortably. now that would be a real benefit.

on transfers we have been linked with sterling. yes please.

Being reported today (by the media so 50/50 lucky dip on veracity) Sterling has rejected a £180K offer and also wants to dictate where he plays. If true, do we want his sort? Or maybe he's the only sort you can get these days.

[Marc Overmars]

Sterling has apparently rejected a new deal worth well over 100k a week. Seems like a bit of a cunt really.

[fakeyank]

Sterling has apparently rejected a new deal worth well over 100k a week. Seems like a bit of a cunt really.

Straight swap for Theo

[Niall_Quinn]

Straight swap for Theo

Why? We already have a cheaper version who is just as good. Don't forget, Sterling is going through the same hype phase Theo went through a few years back. Theo wasn't as good as they hyped him to be. Sterling is not as good as they are hyping him to be. They are very similar players from what I have seen. Just give Theo a few more quid and he still works out cheaper than Sterling. At least Theo opted to stay once, so maybe it's not 100% about the money with him. Sterling though, considering the opportunities Liverpool have given him and now add the more than decent offer on top, if he still won't sign then what would we be? A stepping stone for his Marketing or Barca ambitions? If he's leaving Liverpool that's where he'll want to go anyway, or to the chavs or gypos for obscene cash. Doubt we'd be in the running.

[fakeyank]

Why? We already have a cheaper version who is just as good. Don't forget, Sterling is going through the same hype phase Theo went through a few years back. Theo wasn't as good as they hyped him to be. Sterling is not as good as they are hyping him to be. They are very similar players from what I have seen. Just give Theo a few more quid and he still works out cheaper than Sterling. At least Theo opted to stay once, so maybe it's not 100% about the money with him. Sterling though, considering the opportunities Liverpool have given him and now add the more than decent offer on top, if he still won't sign then what would we be? A stepping stone for his Marketing or Barca ambitions? If he's leaving Liverpool that's where he'll want to go anyway, or to the chavs or gypos for obscene cash. Doubt we'd be in the running.

Theo is nowhere close to Sterling tbf. Besides Sterling is 20 and has a great opportunity to improve. I am afraid the same cant be said about Theo... at 26, he is just an average injury ridden player whose best attribute is his pace. May be Sterling wants to play competitive football and its 'not all about the money' for him. Both are motivated by money, just like how we all are, so I could care less even if it is 'all about the money' for him.
As for the clubs you said he'd want to join, you are right... I think 90% of the top players in the world would give an arm and leg to play for those teams but if Sterling is remotely intelligent, he knows that right now he will not start for any of them. At Arsenal, he has a great chance.

IMO, if this happens, it'll be one of the best deals we would do this summer.

[GP]

Sterling has apparently rejected a new deal worth well over 100k a week. Seems like a bit of a cunt really.

Well that only works out as 10k for each of his kids.

[Power n Glory]

Yeah, look at the deal we swung for Wilshere and his kids. Jack should have a word and convince him to sign with us.