And they still say money can't buy happiness - OTT 53 [R]

Back then I thought perhaps a Virgil \ de Ligt partnership might be on the cards for us.

 

Something odd. Perhaps it’s the usual thing of a young player not developing much beyond his original promises.

He was one of the most sought after centre halves in Europe before his move to Juve. And his move from Juve to Bayern was not exactly a downgrade. But that’s 2 of Europe’s big boys who have failed to get the most out of him and he has also lost his starting place in the Dutch side.

A move to the United shitshow circus is badly advised and will not revitalize his career

 

Well he's done Netherlands , Italy , Germany and now England so maybe next year he moves on to Spain or France .

 

Yeah - it doesn’t mean anything…

Unless you win it…

 

You win it, it’s a trophy; you lose, it’s a pre-season friendly.

 

Since mid-June Chelsea have spent ~£250m. They now have 50 senior players; 56, if you include loanees.

 

Just put the entry fee up again. The Chavs will pay for another rich losing season.

 

If I'm being honest, it's not a bad summer for them.
If they get in a CM, they've upgraded their major deficiencies. They still have problems in attack, but they should be able to create an even more effective bunker/bus strategy against the top sides.

 

The move for van de beek was crazy.
He was an effective player for Ajax, but he was 100% a system guy. Would never see the impact elsewhere as he had there.

de Ligt was positionally sound, tactically aware, great on the ball - all the attributes wanted in a modern defender. EVERYBODY wanted him. Seems to have either a) wilted under the growing expectations or b) became complacent at reaching 'the top.'

de Jong has played well at barca and kept his reputation in tact, but he's about to be overshadowed with the next homegrown group of CMs off the La Masia conveyor belt who just led Spain to Euro glory.

It goes to show just how difficult it is to 'make it' at the very top levels.
The margins are so fine, pulling back effort/focus/determination just 1-2% can have huge consequences on career trajectory.
98% of players to play in the PL, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga all possess nearly the same level of ability. Most of them have spent identical countless hours in the pro academies, learning the same skills and drills. That fire inside is what make Vini Jr become who he is vs Anthony's trajectory upon moving to a big club.

There was a great interview with Harry Arter after his first year in the PL after promotion with Bournemouth. He talked about his own confidence of being able to make it at the PL level and prove himself an international level player. And then being blown away by the application and workrate of 'world class' opponents, their ability to concentrate in match, how minute details such as how an opponent would receive a pass in traffic was the difference between Harry winning a tackle in the Championship and being roasted by the PL player. It was probably the most honest and insightful interview I've ever read from a player at that level - I wish I could find it.

 

Would love to read that.

 

The EU has shown a complete aversion to implementation of salary caps, either at a club or individual level.
I can't understand why they won't given their willingness to block so much M&A on 'anti competitive grounds' and so many other generally 'anti-big guy' policies.

UEFA should implement a cap on the # of players over the age of 22 a club is allowed to have on its books while also limiting the number of players it is able to loan out.
If a club is in excess of that cap by 20%, its ability to participate in UEFA competition is taken away.
If in excess of that cap by 1-19% then it faces a point deduction in the next UEFA competition you participate in.

Would be great to a see a salary cap implemented, though.
All clubs in the top divisions of UEFA must submit 25 player rosters.
Take the average 25 man wage bill from the 2nd highest of the 'big 5' leagues (probably Spain thanks to real and barca) and make that the cap all clubs have two season to work down to.
Don't limit what clubs can pay individuals. If a player earns 70% of the salary cap, the club has to either find cheap players to surround him with or sit/sell him to have a more competitive squad.

 

https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/harry-arter-thought-good-pls-foreign-players-wrong
This has a couple similar snippets, but it's not as in-depth.

 

I found this but much of the article is behind a paywall.

Ceferin had for at least five years discussed imposing salary caps as a way to address European soccer’s growing wealth gap. But faced with the complexities of European employment law and deep-pocketed opposition, UEFA has abandoned the concept of a hard cap and, according to three people familiar with the proposals, settled on a proposal that — after a three-year implementation period — will require teams to keep their spending within a strict ratio.

Soccer’s Richest Clubs Sidestep UEFA Salary Cap in New Cost Controls - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Can’t find it now, but best take on Twitter. Some guy, serious Chelsea fan, asking for a transfer ban for the club. Because he doesn’t know anymore if Chelsea is a football club or a human trafficking organization.

 

I hate the ratios.

 

a bit unnecessary though, given they already have Nkunku

 

Good luck with that, as billionaire wannabees like Mbappe immediately sue their clubs for breach of contract

 

Ahhhhhh…f.uck me…deluded United fans. There should be a health warning.

 

The world has gone stark raving mad.

 

You just noticed?

 

In what world honestly, would he or anyone else not accept that. Incomprehensible money.

Saudi can very easily flex their muscle and sign a couple super stars to absurd contracts. The fact his team are reviewing the contract says it all. Be very interesting

 

The last line should read:

ManUnited - the Premier Leagues' best overhyped hope