I'm sure Klich said in an interview a while back that, no matter what division we're in next season, as long as the club want him he'll be here.
If Klich does want to staythen that means 5 first teamers who can be good subs or starters, but still means that we would need to offload before bringing better quality in? To keep the 18+4 formula otherwise we stay exactly the same next season. So somthing has to give?
Orta deserves credit for making sure our senior players are under contract and are not leaving for free. For example a few eyebrows were raised when Cooper was given a 5 year deal but almost 3 seasons later it looks a good decision. The only one who slipped through the net was Alioski and that proves he wasn't valued highly enough whilst we were in the Championship. However it would be interesting to know if players like Bamford (new deal since promotion) have a set fee release clause if we're relegated ? Players have clauses which reduce their salaries upon relegation so it would seem reasonable for their agents to ask for something in return.
Alioski is a good shout because he scored 7 goals every season and we have missed that this season. He usually scored a worldy every season and had great shythousery and played anywhere on the left. Underestimated and has scored 20 odd International goals from 54 games, not too shabby and last night ghey knocked Italy out of the WC. Even Berardi would have helped when we had Koch, Llorente and Cooper out, he would also have stopped having to use Ayling at CB……. So breaking up the old boys needs doing with guile in future
Great thread Doc. What saddens me is that all football debates always end up talking about money. Just an observation and by no means a criticism.
So called financial fair play is a joke este. How the likes of Man City and PSG, to name but two, are allowed to spend millions upon millions every transfer window is beyond me. It should be a level playing field but clearly isn’t. Plenty of brown envelopes going around so that the richest clubs hoover up the best players, bypassing the so-called regulations. The game is so corrupt. Oh and I just realised you were saying there’s too much talk about money in football on here sorry este but your post started me off on a rant
Evening chaps. Long time no see, some might say not long enough. Having a good old browse tonight, great topic but have to say Ortas a massive drain on the club. He’s stealing a living. 18 man squad might work if they’re 18 high quality players but ours aren’t. Replace firpo, klick, Roberts, Harrison, and it might work.failure to do so will result in the loss of our quality ones Rapha, Meslier, Kalvin etc as they’re not going to lose more time trying to prop up this current setup. Don’t see much changing mind you. Anyway, I don’t spend much time analysing anything anymore as who can predict what next week will bring
Good to see you posting again mate, I noticed you eyeing over a thread the other day. When you think about Ortas job role over the last 18 months it has been sign Firpo and James (what else does he do?) On social media there is a bunch who feel “Firpo might come good” the fact is THIS season he’s been a huge backward step. James there was no scouting to do, it was no secret he was Bielsas first choice the minute he became available and considering they were desperately trying to offload him you have to question did we get the fee correct? Bottom line I agree, Orta should have went with Bielsa, he didn’t sign good enough players
Talking of money, if Burnley, Watford and Norwich hadn’t been forced into selling anyone for two seasons and had spent the same amount that we have in that period of time, I wonder if they’d be in the bottom three…
Fabrizio Romano says Raphinhas agent Deco in talks with Barcelona…. Why isnt this tapping up? Great to see Eire selfie on here again by the way
Raphinha contract expires 2024, so agent talking to other clubs must be the same as tapping up which is illegal. As Forza rightly says all about money
Tapping up is an old and outdated rule and should be abolished. Also the rule different for fifa and the epl so Barcelona can work differently to epl teams.
The brother Daras a lot younger looking than me these days I fear although I was asked for an autograph a couple of years back
