Not saying Saudi league will go away as quick as Chinese one did, but no one is going to switch from European leagues to Saudi leagues (besides Arab nations maybe) any time soon. Even if they did suddenly get all the best players. They've spent billions, besides the news stories of transfer, have you seen any extra Saudi games compared to previous years? Even the Sauds won't pump money into it forever. They may rise up to king of the middle eastern leagues and enjoy regional success, so still be the occasional transfer threat, but I don't see this being a long term Exodus to the Middle East.
Me either. The American, Chinese and Turkish leagues have all threatened to "take over" in recent years and all been shooed away. Saudi have more in the way of cash, so they will probably tempt more players than most would, but it'll be over in 5 years once this batch of guys' contracts have run out. I dont get the fuss
its a bit quick to start seeing them but i'd expect it to start being available shortly. We are already getting bombarded with internet reports about rainbow laces and the face puncher. etc. My views on this are relatively similar. Neymar retried in my mind more than 6 years ago and has just be a hanger on collecting money ever since. Once the suadis get thier 17billion budget spent having shiny older players who all retire then all the premier European teams will have younger better players in their place for the next round of buying in 2 years time. Its fairly clear some serious tapping up is going on. eventually someone somewhere will be dropped by a big club but not sold as punishment but for now Chelsea and PIF are getting away with the tapping up and massive tax free inducements.
Yeah, I don't see quite as spectacular a cut off as China had.. the government isn't going to suddenly say "stop paying foreigners to play here" like China did... but I see.it settling into a regional powerhouse and perhaps.popular in neighbouring countries the way the English league tends to overshadow the domestic leagues in other British countries. I see it reaching it's equilibrium somewhere around the level of the Dutch League.
even sooner as nobody is really interested in watching old men like rainbow laces, the face puncher, benzema or conadlo shuffle about in their zimmer frames. they'll vanish from big internationals, quickly get forgotten about and in reality the "next gen" will get massive hype. City are already shrugging at KDB and calling him yesterdays man ffs. haaland and the like have zero interest in going there. For me this will end up like MLS when gerrard and the like went over to cash in their image rights. its a retirement home.
you are right that the Chinese took a very particular political decision but you also have to factor in the boredom and lack of alignment with their other likes and wants. Put it this way Partey and Mendy won't be going there any times soon and jack grealish would not prosper As I said PLEASE make it happen so they can pull out of the english game and we can get 50+1 rulings in to give the ordinary fan a bit of football back.
Doucoure seems to be the play plus Andre / Thuram. Disregard price, Doucoure is a good player. Wouldn't be against him at all. He showed his good defensive ability at Palace but was restricted to show what he can do on the ball. Was more adventurous at Lens
Well Doucoure was always more preferable to me than Lavia... Although probably not as desirable as Caicedo would have been, but he wasn't an option. £60mil would still be a bit steep though, although it's not my money.
Just seen that Neymadge is reportedly going to be receiving (I refuse to say earn) £2.5m per week... In perspective, £2.5m per annum is an obscene amount! Getting that per week is just ridiculous and shows how much of a joke it's become. I think working man's game
I think Lavia has a higher ceiling but Doucoure is a plug and play for right now. Looking the stats - the defensive and offensive stats are actually pretty close between Doucoure and Caicedo.
we played that poorly (henderson back passing) that I cannot recall anything about him playing us. At least we can recall caicedo and lavia laughing at the state of us.
I whole heartedly disagree with you both BUT I am not fussed lol Something had to overtake the Prem and la liga No reason that it won’t be this No league starting up has. Shown this amount of disdain or been as successful We shall see
