The Virgil Van Dijk Stays at Southampton Thread

Sorry

 

Stupid scousers can't accept that he wants to move on to a bigger club, they'll probably buy Charlie Adam to replace him. Small club living on their history.

 

If he knuckles down like Morgan did a couple of years back then yes there are consequences to that behaviour - I would support him in the side. If he doesn't knuckle down then he won't be supported by the fans. If we are simply vindictive and let him rot when he is prepared to play then it is us that is in breach of contract and he would probably successfully claim constructive dismissal and join who he wants with no transfer fee and a lump of compensation in his back pocket!

 

Couldn't of happened to a nicer club!

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

 

Thought that was a bold call even as I read it and that was before the breaking news (assuming it's true, of course - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...-coutinho-barcelona-transfer-request-13463687).

Vin

EDIT Agree about Everton - they seem to have lost the plot unless there are some late surprise signings.

 

Bold indeed.

The last half hour may have changed my view though

 

LFC denying he's handed in a request.

Vin

 

Hahahaha

 

All our ITK journalists say it's Barca propaganda and/or a family member chatting to Spanish media.

Strange one tbh. Timing of both things (club statement and transfer request) says to me it's the only way the owners can sell without the fans going totally nuts.

We'll see how this plays out.

 

Van Dijk was only using Southampton as a stepping stone, just like Wanyama.

Think you should all just be grateful that players of that ilk graced your club because if it wasnt for the pursuit of money in modern football, you would never have got them from Celtic in the first place.

 

Except that he is bound to a six year contract and we don't have to sell him, we can make an example of him if we want to.

 

A contract is a legal binding document, it is surely time that the FA indroduces sanctions on players that refuse to honour it.

 

You could do that but it would hardly be wise, you arent big enough or rich enough to get away with it. Other potentially top class players would no longer use you as a stepping stone if you do that.

At least he signed the contract to guarantee you get a big fee for him. I dont know the ins and outs of this but I think everyone knew the day would come when a bigger club would come calling for Van Dijk. He has done a job for you and made you a healthy profit, dont see what the problem is here. He took a step down going to Southampton so he could eventually take a step up.

 

All that may well be true. But I doubt you will ever agsin reach the giddy heights you did under Brendan Rodgers

 

Perhaps we want to proove our ambition and we are no longer a selling club, we are debt free for the first time this season.

 

There's an element of truth there in the same way Coutinho is using Liverpool as a stepping stone. It's not VVD that started this though (or Coutinho for that matter). Agents are destroying the game in pursuit of their own personal wealth. VVD was more than happy here until he moved agents.

 

Are you in Europe this season?

You dont just decide we are now a big club, you earn it over time unless a billionaire comes in like Man City, Chelsea, PSG etc. Southampton would have to establish themselves as contenders for the title and become an established European team. Neither of those looks likely to happen.

 

Going from Celtic to Southampton is not a step down.