That settles that. Christ I can't stand all the transfer talk: http://www.chelseafc.com/article.as...sea+are+not+trying+to+buy+Shevchenko&nav=news
Does it matter when you have an open ended checkbook, and are apparently willing to spend any amount on players (e.g. Wright Phillips) so that they can play in a "rotation" system, and hence stopping your competitors having them for a reasonable amount of money which reflects their worth and keeps the game/business of football at a relatively sensible financial level?
So, Chelsea bought SWP just to keep other clubs from buying him? The fact that they spent part of last year without any wingers as both Duff and Robben were injured didn't play any part of it? Hmm... JM has always stated that he wants at least two players at each position. The players that he has purchaced this year (del Horno, SWP) fit this description. And to me this is very sound thinking - last year's matches with Gallas playing out of position and no true wingers are proof that it's best this way. Gary
I am not in here for the purpose of trolling or anything. But whilst I respect Chelsea for the extremely talented team they are, and for thier success last season, I see a further "Premier" tier of clubs appearing. Now I am a Newcastle fan, so I can not complain about vast quantities of money swapping hands without some justification (KK years). I do however believe the fact that 23M is too much for SWP, even though he is a fantastic player. He has been wonderful over a season and a half, and good before but not outstanding. I do however there has been this summer a lot of transfer activity purely to prevent other clubs getting a player, and I am not pointing exclusively at Chelsea. I agree 2 players in each position is a must, not just sensible IMO. But if you have two players in one position worth 40M between them, where does this leave the English youth to go (I know he is English, but he is bought, not grown)? Is the Nationwide to top of their expectations? At least until they impress enough to have a giant take them for a huge fee? Where does this leave the club if the Russian walks? What happens to the league,.....a Premier Premier league, a European Super League, it will turn into wrestling and become a total farce of overpaid superstars entertaining a group of people stupid enough to part with rolls of cash to watch them. I now live in Germany and support a second divison team, Karlsruhe (season ticket holder 105 EUR). We get about 20,000 fans a week, we can stand and drink on the terraces, the players thank the crowd every game(formally). I prefer watching this than I did the Toon when I left Newcastle 1 year ago (and I love the Toon, even have my table reserved at the local Irish bar tonight to watch), it somhow seems like it should be. This is not a dig at Chelsea, but at football in general. So when the question above appears, is Shevchenko worth 84 million EURO, it is not a simple question - to Wycome Wanderers it is, to West Brom it is, but to Chelsea/Real/Barcelona, it is a difficult question with 12 men in negotiation around a table trying to resolve it. The only winner are the players themselves, not the fans, not the club and it's finances (re. Man U). Just the way I feel.
I would agree with you here. I too think that SWP was a bit overpriced, but it was the player JM wanted, and he was willing to pay it. Is this good for football? Probably not. But I wouldn't put all the blame on Chelsea for this - look at the problems we've been having with Lyon over Eissen. They are asking outrageous amounts for a player, just because it is Chelsea (with RA's wallet) looking to buy. We need to fill in the gaps, so we're kinda held over a barrel. I don't think I follow your first point. The English youth will still have the chance to rise to the top level - having two players at each possition would open up more slots for them to fill. Whether they are trained at a club or bought by one of the giants, they still have the opportunity to make it to Premiership. I don't see how prices paid will affect that. What happens if RA walks? Well, we'd probably have to sell off some of the players, but the team would still be better off than they were before. At least he's paid off all our debts As for your last point, I tend to agree. I make a very nice living, but going to matches is getting rather expensive - I know I wouldn't be able to afford season tickets. I know a couple lifetime fans who had to give up their season tickets because of the price. They are still Chelsea fans, but don't go to matches any more. Just my random musings... Gary
That's exactly the point, if someone with massive cash starts to show it once or twice, it quickly knocks the whole thing out of kilter. I think it needs regulating, don't ask me how. It would be difficult because the point of competition is to get better, and money ceratinly helps do that, but what we are seeing now is spiraling out of control. 84M EURO for Schevchenko (in the last few years of his career) 120K GBP a week (6m a year) Ferdinand wants at Man U Madrid buy and injured player (Woodgate) for 15M EURO who may never play again Glazer borrowing 300M to buy Man U against it's assests (with interest this is closer to 700M) Newcastles value increasing by 20M(28%) overnight due to a rumour of a takeover. It's all mad. Glad we could agree on some points
No player is worth that, although you are talking about one of, if not, the best striker in the world game.
I dont see how SWP is not worth the money, he isnt a straight up purchse, he is a completly sound investment. He is only going to get better, and playing at a team like Chelsea he will be come prominent on the international stage, which increases his value. We're about to buy Essien for 20 mil pounds? And this doesnt seem ridiculous but for some reason 24 mil for SWP is? I dont get it.
I agree. He is our future and a great investment for the team. I think in few years, he will be worth twice that amount.
Based on that one game, in which he wasn't that bad, but had one really bad miss? I can maybe see how we shouldn't pay a ridiculous amount for him, but for 20 mill, it would be a steal. He is simply one of the best all-around strikers in football today. But, you are of course entitled to your opinion.
LOL. He's certainly not poor now, let alone pozor. (Is that a Russo-Freudian slip there?) He is going to start declining soon, so I wasn't in favor of the move either. But for a two year striker, there's no one I'd rather have on the planet right now. Long term - I think we might convince Adriano to move West next summer, unless Real steal him first. Much as I like Mancio, Inter's bizarre purchasing program ensures they won't win anything again.
I honestly cant see any other team spending 21mill on SWP , and certainly not twice that in the future. The time of mad transfer fees has passed... ...unless you're RA of course!
Regarding SWP, it can be argued that, without a winger who could go past people, all of our OTHER investment wasn't worth a toss in the CL because we couldn't break down the 'pool. How much would a win THERE have been worth? Not in strictly financial terms I don't mean but as a proportion of the overall investment. It's a bit like saying that you can spend tens, (hundreds?), of millions on forwards and attacking midfielders like Madrid but without a defensive midfielder like Makalele, the whole thing falls apart.