Summer window

Sorry mate, got myself confused . Yeah think he did the same. All for looking after the club that had gave them their start. Loyalty like that is rare!

 

Can't see Ballard going this summer. He didn't play enough last season to convince West Ham that he'll be worth the amount we'd be willing to sell for.

Next summer I'd be amazed if he stayed (if we don't go up).

 

Ballard wouldn't even start at West Ham, pretty sure he came out and said he can't wait to play here again next season. What would be the point in going there to sit on the bench?

 

I’m pretty sure his wage would be going up a massive amount if he gets a PL move. Money talks.

 

I wouldn't begrudge any of our players a move to the Premier League if an appropriate offer came in. I just doubt it will for him.

He hasn't shown enough to justify anybody spending big money on him yet. He has ages left on his contract. No way we sell him unless somebody bids more than he's worth now, and there's no way anybody will.

 

He probably would get a big hike yes but again it's to sit on the bench, He didn't even make it into Arsenals first team squad at all whilst he was there and he's not a proper beirn, he's 23 and needs to be playing games.

He could play a full season here next season and hopefully then be a regular Prem starter if we went up and could demand a contract renewal or again move next summer with another full season under his belt.

I absolutely love Ballard but he's only played 19 games for us, It would be mental to sell him at this stage. I'm all for the model of making huge profits on players but we can't just sell once a Prem team starts sniffing, He isn't at his peak value yet for us to cash in. We can't be having to replace little gems we've uncovered every season if they play half a season of football.

 

The conversation will go like this...

West Ham - here's a £5m bid
Sunderland - no thanks, we want at least £15m
West Ham - eh? You signed him for £2m last summer and he's only played about 20 games for you
Sunderland - yes but he has a long contract and he's going to be worth a lot more next summer
West Ham - here's a £6m bid
Sunderland - **** off

 

He’d definitely get game time, they will be playing in 4 competitions next season

 

This is the biggest thing for me, it seems like a lot think a bid from a prem team that means a decent profit on the player means he will be sold, "that's the model". I think and hope that they are hugely misunderstanding the model, I hope the model is to get these players and develop them to a point the bid is as high as it possibly can be for a player playing with us and where we are at that time/they have hit their ceiling with us (if we are championship the player would need to prove it at Premiership level to go up in value, if we are Premiership the lad would need Europe/top level Premiership experience to go up in value).

I keep saying it I would knock back all bids this season for all our players unless they are surplus to requirements, as another season competing at the top will see them go up in value and if we get promoted do the same again as a season in the premiership will see them go up on value.

I hope that is the model and believe it is the model!

 

Don’t see Ballard going anywhere like.

 

I agree with everything you’ve said. I’d be devastated to lose him. I’m just convinced we’ll lose a couple of key players this summer (Ballard and Clarke). Really hope it’s not the case. We’ve got a decent chance next season if we can keep our better players and add some experience. I still feel we’re short to be talking about a possible promotion.

 

He wouldnt be a regular though. Remember hes been a PL club before so knows what its like when you dont play.

These lads dont seem the type to leave just for money when they know how important playing is. The reason we signed them were because of this attitude so i dont think any will leave just for money (stewart potentially the only one due to his age and the money he would have been on in scotland).

These players love playing football and unfortunately i dont see many/any of them playing regularly in the PL just yet.

Give it another yr though and i think 5/6 of our lads will be able to play regularly in the PL

 

Another good player off to Saudi.

 

RIP football

 

They went all the way in the Europa Conference last season, highly unlikely they will compete deep into all four tournaments.

They have Zouma and Aguerd as their first choice with Kehrer and Ogbonna as 3rd and 4th choice. They also have that Luizao who they signed in January and loaned back out.

He would arguably be 5th or 6th choice.

 

I think the point is that he is willing to commit on paper to a 2 year even if the second year is not really enforceable. But say for instance he sustains a bad injury the second year, this could make sure that he is being paid and give time to recuperate if needed. I think it is probably for a bit of security and peace of mind. The big bonus is that at his age he is willing to commit and help his own development, instead of having his head turned by clubs further up the ladder (for now) who would stick him in reserve teams and wait and see, whilst always spending millions on players and playing them before him and stunting his development so fair play to the lad I am biased but think he has made the right choice.

 

Agree with all of this.

Add to this you get the impression the lads know they at a potentially massive club on a great upwards trajectory.

I think what we are overlooking constantly is our players don’t want to leave.

West Ham is a good club, but I don’t fear our lads pushing for moves to Burnley or Brentford.

 

I get that and i agree staying here and playing 40+ games would be good for his developmental but I think a big wage increase plus the opportunity of playing in Europe could turn a head easily. Not to mention the things his agent could do when they see how much they’d make from a big deal like this

 

Dan is not interested in leaving, that came from himself direct, it has all been press talk, 5 or 6 have said they keep away from NE journalists as they stir **** up.

 

I like you Bob.

Ballard & Batth is such a pairing when they fit. Both absolute warriors.