Lucas Neill!

[Lasse]

Couldn´t resist temptation and start a new thread just for our honourable captain (OK past one but "maybe a future one as well").

He is now "pondering European options!" How thick can you get?

[Lasse]

This says it all doesn´t it?

With the new tax rate of 50 per cent for Britain's high earners set to be implemented next April, Neill is seriously considering a switch to Spain after 14 years in England.

"I am in talks with a club outside of England," Neill told the Australian media.

Atletico's offer of a reported £1.5million-a-year to the 31-year-old is less than what West Ham offered, but Neill will pocket more in Spain due to the country's lower tax rates.

And this man was our captain

[amancalledmikey]

And he's not money-hungry. No siree.

[norwaytips]

I don't care. The man is a free agent. He honoured his contract with us, was a reasonable captain and a decent player.
Why some people expect loyalty from a professional footballer from the other side of the world is behond me.

[Lasse]

Point there Ed. Still I´m gutted on how he & his agent behaved during the summer, all that nonsense and public comments made. Plus of course the fact the offer from West Ham was still a good one. Trying to give an impression of a loyal and attached servant of the club...

He could´ve been honest and tell it´s all about money to him, or at least not to pretend something else.

Good player, but should´ve remembered he was after all the captain.

[amancalledmikey]

It's more the fact that his agent came out and said the move wasn't about money and he's going to Spain, despite being from an English-speaking country and playing in England his entire career, solely because the tax rate is lower. I don't give a shit if he went to another club for more money, it's the fact that they said it wasn't about money and he's thrown his whole life into disarray for a little more cash in Spain.

[Lasse]

So, it seems my favourite man is going to Sunderland. 40k€ a week. So, as he 10 weeks ago turned down West Ham´s 35k€ a week offer and he´s already lost 350k€ it´ll only take 70 weeks from him to earn back that money.

I´m de-lighted!

[amancalledmikey]

Maybe he wanted two years when we offered one?

[Lasse]

or two salaries when we offered one?

[pething101]

to Everton.

[west_ham]

The Daily Mail reckoned he is getting £40k per week at Everton, half what he was getting at West Ham!! :eek: Yet somehow they still maintain that he is a money greedy person.

Doesn't quite add up somehow.

[amancalledmikey]

He's money hungry because, from the sounds of it, he could have been on the same contract he got from Everton three months ago if he and his agent weren't so sure he'd be worth more on the open market.

[west_ham]

He's money hungry because, from the sounds of it, he could have been on the same contract he got from Everton three months ago if he and his agent weren't so sure he'd be worth more on the open market.
We have heard no news that West Ham's offer was withdrawn from him. So if he is money hungry why wouldn't he accept our deal? It can't be less than Everton have offered him.

I still think it might be down to the length of the contract. He probably doesn't want to be without a club during the World Cup.

Either way I have shed no tears over him leaving. One minute he was great and the next he was a liability in defence.

[Footstomper]

I quite fancy playing a few hands of poker with Niell. After his behaviour this summer I suspect it might be a rather profitable experience.