The Football Thread

[pierrelm]

I think we on the edge of a new stage, where the BIG (make that obscene) amounts of money will blow the game for the traditional supporters. If a relatively responsibly run club like Arsenal cannot attract players, if Spurs might not keep their two England fullbacks because Man Utd can blast Spurs wage offers off the map, then it has really ceased to be a game and is creeping nearer and nearer to a rich few's plaything, removed and remote from the communities which were once inseperable from the clubs in their midst. I do envy the Germans...despite ruddy Bayern.
I wonder what would happen if at the start of the season, there was a league table based on budget, how much that would reflect the standing at the end of the season? I think Leicester was a miracle and we should hang onto that as the last glimpse of romance before the money game reasserts itself. For good, until this stupid money bubble bursts. Can't happen quickly enough..

[footstep]

2 more for years for Arsene.
Sad for us, not to see him back here.(Paris, Monaco, Lyon...)

[Roger Allott]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

I wonder what would happen if at the start of the season, there was a league table based on budget, how much that would reflect the standing at the end of the season?

That's relatively easy to answer. The top 3 positions in the PL would be filled by Man C, Chelsea & Man U. Each of them has a total player budget of around the £210m per annum area.

In a clear 4th spot would be Liverpool, whose budget is around £160m pa.

5th would be Arsenal, spending approx £140m a year.

And Spurs would be perennially in 6th position, budgeting about £110m on players each year.

It gets closer after that, with Everton leading the way on about £75m.

Although the numbers have inflated enormously, the relative rankings of these 6 in player budgets have been remarkably consistent over the past 10 years.

What this should tell you is that Wenger at Arsenal has over-performed his money every year expect this last one, when they had to settle for only getting what they put in. Indeed, I think it's fair to say that he has never really under-performed with Arsenal in the PL.

Spurs have been the consistent over-performers though. I can't remember the last time we finished outside the top 5, and to be so clear last season of teams spending as much as double what we've had to burn is remarkable.

Originally Posted by pierrelm

....., if Spurs might not keep their two England fullbacks because Man Utd can blast Spurs wage offers off the map, then it has really ceased to be a game and is creeping nearer and nearer to a rich few's plaything, removed and remote from the communities which were once inseperable from the clubs in their midst.

Spurs have a surplus of top quality full-backs. Losing Kyle Walker and getting a decent amount of money as compensation would be good business. Ben Davies probably isn't in Danny Rose's league yet, but again, if we can hang on to get a price premium for Rose I'm not going to cry too much.

.

[ginny76]

The teams with the most money win most of the trophies, it's been that way for the last 40 years.

[Greenman]

It is hardly a surprise to hear that Arsene Wenger is staying but it probably was to the vast majority of fans that wanted him to go, and going out on a high by winning the FA Cup would have been the perfect way to seal a 20 year collaboration with Arsenal - but let's face it, if its in your blood and you've been at a club that long, chances are you will want to stay and he obviously wanted to continue. Is it a good idea? Only time will tell but losing the chance of Champions League status after a good run of twenty years was the last straw for some fans...just not used to losing, like Man United.

[buttsie]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

I think we on the edge of a new stage, where the BIG (make that obscene) amounts of money will blow the game for the traditional supporters. If a relatively responsibly run club like Arsenal cannot attract players, if Spurs might not keep their two England fullbacks because Man Utd can blast Spurs wage offers off the map, then it has really ceased to be a game and is creeping nearer and nearer to a rich few's plaything, removed and remote from the communities which were once inseperable from the clubs in their midst. I do envy the Germans...despite ruddy Bayern.
I wonder what would happen if at the start of the season, there was a league table based on budget, how much that would reflect the standing at the end of the season? I think Leicester was a miracle and we should hang onto that as the last glimpse of romance before the money game reasserts itself. For good, until this stupid money bubble bursts. Can't happen quickly enough..

No doubt some players will leave for the mind boggling wages and little else

See Chinas silly wages

http://sillyseason.com/salary/highes...n-china-85392/

I suspect more players leave for clubs they think are going to win them trophies more so than to double or triple their wages otherwise they be heading to China

Since Arsenal last won silverware: 23 ex-Gunners win 56 major trophies … and counting

2013

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/...unting-130502/


PS example A

Riyad Mahrez: Leicester forward releases statement asking to leave the club

Win the EPL after 3 seasons, stay to experience the champions league as a required starter as opposed to a squad player at a bigger club in the 4th then leave for a club that offers European football.

Apart from Leicesters one off miracle they've struggled in the EPL

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40098443

[Motorboater]

Originally Posted by footstep

2 more for years for Arsene.
Sad for us, not to see him back here.(Paris, Monaco, Lyon...)

Was he ever a chance for the French National team?

[ginny76]

Two years more for the pompous French gobshite, that's no time at all. I expect the Wenger Out campaign to resume shortly, possibly the end of September.

[footstep]

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Was he ever a chance for the French National team?

Before Laurent Blanc, he had propositions.
He chose Arsenal...

[pierrelm]

So, today it's the European Cup Final, oops, silly me, Champions anthem playing opportunity match. So given the relative lack of British involvement are we supporting the team in the Notts County shirts or the team in the Corinthians shirts?

Given I find much to admire about CR7 but little to like, to the point of wanting him to be on the winning side (for shame! I know he works hard, gives to charity and loves his mum, but...) I think my sympathies will be very much with the grand old lady, John Charles' old team.