DISQUS

Eladio · 1 year ago

I can not stand it when people whinge and moan about players not showing any loyalty to a club when they ask for more money. First, can any player ever be 100% assured that the loyalty will be returned to them? How many times have we seen clubs cut and run on players after 1 or 2 bad seasons, or getting rid of players once they're just a tad past their prime because their price is too high. Secondly, you're suggesting that players should just get paid what the clubs offer them and that's it. I guess you'd rather have billionaire owners get only richer than have millionaire players earn a few extra quid.

As someone who doesn't make in 5 years what Adebayor wants in 1 week, and a Gooner, it doesn't bother me at all that he has asked for more money. He's not holding Arsenal hostage: they don't have to pay the increased request. If he wants to go somewhere else then, they can get a lot in return. I much (MUCH) prefer folks like Cesc or Theo who have stated unequivocally that they love the Arsenal and will be staying, but hoping all players are like that is pretty obtuse. It's a big business now, like it or not. You could always go watch non-league matches and enjoy "the purity" of players working 2 jobs. I prefer watching good footy myself.

Hank · 1 year ago

I have to agree with the first comment.

I'd add that we, the fans, are as much at fault as anyone. We pay a lot of money to see our team WIN. There is fan loyalty, but any look at the comparative income of teams (in any sport) would be enough to see that teams that win, make the most money.

That drive to win trumps loyalty and it becomes a matter of economics. While loyalty would be nice, you can't really fault players for looking after their own interests.

Soccer Blogger · 1 year ago

The old loyalty vs money debate.

While I do agree with Hank that fans pay money to watch their team do well, I'm pretty sure they would like it even more if the team was made up of homegrown footballers rather than costly players bought from abroad.

While you will still have support in your local area no matter what you do ( the real supporters), your support across the world will be judged by the number of trophies you have in your cabinet. Any glamorous star you have in your team is a welcome addition.

I'm pretty sure we don't see the Wigans and the Aston Villas having too much support outside Britain. The reason is simple- not too much glamour, no money, no trophies.

In an utopian world, you'd obviously want the player to choose club over cash, but sadly, it doesn't happen in real life.

Mark Meadows · 1 year ago

The problem is obviously worse in the Premier League but I think it is true across all football. I am a Reuters reporter and I recently interviewed a footballer in Italy who said the wrong team name for the club he was playing at. Money is the only important thing to many players and some dont care where they get it.

Soccer Writer · 1 year ago

What irks me the most is that 'good' players who have the calibre to play in the first 11 at most clubs, prefer to warm the benches at big clubs at pocket their humongous salaries. Its a big shame.

Take the case of SWP. He lost his England place because he didnt play for Chelseas that often. Yet he has not moved on. Surprising. And it , comes with a statement saying, " I'll bide my time." "I'll fight for my place".

Bollocks.

Phil McThomas · 1 year ago

Football clubs have got to understand their 'hook' - what keeps fans attached to a club.

The more churn you have with players, the less there is to keep fans attached to the club.

Kat Kid · 1 year ago

Oh for the old days when players still worked in factories and were paid pence on the pound!

good lord, enough already.

Kyle · 1 year ago

But of course, the role increased funs have at raising the level of play and drawing the top athletes to the sport gets completely overlooked in these discussions.

As a Spurs fan, I've got all the available DVDs of the club's cup wins. The miserable Spurs side that took to the pitch in the second half of the 07-08 season would have completely and utterly obliterated the Spurs side that won the double in 61. It wouldn't even be close.

Baseball fans whine in this fashion, too, and harken back to the good old days when the reserve clause bound players to their team until the team decided to release them.

And it is always assumed that the sport was better in the past. That money has ruined things. But sport is competition. The primary product fanchises sell is not a connection with the fans and the club. It is not a connection between the fans and the players. It is competition.

And all this horrible money and the mercinaries it brings with it have raised the level of competition higher than it ever has been before. The Yankees' dynasty of the 20s wouldn't stand a chance agains the 08 Pirates. Think of pitting an gold medal Olympic sprinter from the 60s against the last bronze medalist.

There are hundreds of clubs in England. Go follow an amateur side if you wish. All the lads will be local and the corrupting influence of money won't be there. But the football will look like shite in comparison to the level of talent and play that horrible money has provided.

You people want it both ways. You want money drawing the best athletes to sport and away from other sports and specifically to football. But then, once they're there, that financial influence that is responsible for what truly makes the EPL so popular (it is among the most skilled and talented play on the planet) needs to disappear.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too.