Summer 2014 Transfer rumour thread - Part II

Sounds like you're covering your bases!!

 

It is that we don't need to sell, but I'm happy with that. Means that things are under our control...no fire sale.

 

Which is exactly the point I've been trying to say, but some people don't want to believe that in football a club, via an agent, can get into the ear of a player and me toon big things, money, trophies, playing infront of 60,000 fans, etc.

We do not need to plan to sell players, but if a big offer comes along we may decide to. I hope we don't, it we might.

Fran, how many chairmen have "said" things?

 

I don't think anyone believes that absolutely no one will leave in the summer (things happen), but there is a big difference between that and a major exodus caused by financial woes. Our players are all under contract, so any sale will have to suit us...and obviously you get the best deal you can if someone doesn't want to play for a team any more. And, however good they play for us, most of our players will not attract the attention of a top club and, therefore, they might as well stay here. The important thing is keeping Mauricio, but let's not forget we were afraid of losing Adkins when we got promoted twice. This club is bigger than any single person.

 

Read an article that made the point that MP stayed at Espanyol in order to build things the way he wanted. I think he'll stay at least a couple more seasons providing his hand isnt forced over transfers.

 

Agree Fran, I do not believe there will be mass, or many, departures. Interesting lasting Fran. The Guardian article had Krueger saying the same thing. No single employee is bigger than the club.

 

Fire sale! Did you say "Fire Sale?" Where? When? Who said that? Aaaarrrgghhh every one is leaving.

 

Krueger said (in the longer article in the Guardian) that Mauricio plans his career carefully. That could be read as anything you want it be, but I hope he will see Saints as the perfect place to try out his ideas (as long as he receives support). Can't take his years at Espanyol as an example though as he stayed there (despite losing players) because he loves that club...being both a player and a manager. Mauricio said recently that he will always be an Espanyol fan...we can't count on loyalty like that, though he may feel some loyalty to our players.

 

Of course we're not going to try to kick them out. I doubt Krueger's plan when he came in was to asset strip, but there are perfectly feasible reasons why a lot of people will want out.

 

What's changed since a year ago other than the make-up of the board? Not sure I understand why the players (and manager) would all suddenly want to leave now when they were happy before. They must surely be being told the same as us - that the plan hasn't changed.

 

You dont get the impression any of the players are unhappy in fact far from it. You cant legislate for an individual beiung tempted away by big money or CL but I think the vast majotity are settled here.

 

Doesn't mean they'll necessarily believe it. Cortese's plan and drive was a major factor in keeping players here for so long, and if they feel that's changed under the new board (and with their talk of "financial difficulties" etc, who can blame them) and they feel that Pochettino is off etc, then that's a pretty major reason to stay that's disappeared.

 

At the end of the day, I believe the majority of our better players signed long term contracts as they were buying into a "dream" that Cortese had and felt was achievable. I felt it was achievable with the large success we have enjoyed in short space of time. The thing it it came at a high price (as we have since found out) and can you imagine the type of players/outlay we would need to move into the next bracket. It smacks of a potential Leeds debt if not done correctly. Realistically we cannot stick another £40million onto our existing transfer debt.

The fact chairman has changed, it may well be that dream is on hold.... Hence some players may well decide to leave.

Now a player or two leaving may seem bad but it doesnt have to be, remember when Everton sold Rooney, lots of people thought that was them struggling and possble relegation, they invested the money back onto the team and moved up a level and have gone on from there since.

We have a board that I feel will reinvest in the team, maybe not £40 every window but they will revinvest as and where we need it. Our squad is thin on the ground in certain places, if we have to sell Shaw, lets get £30+m, buy cresswell from Ipswich + a striker and quality centre back, would you not argue that has imrpoved us as a team ?....

Its a real shame homegrown players leaving, but it happens, even Man Utd lose players if teams like Real/Barca come knocking.

 

I definitely want the board to invest more than £40 every window...couldn't even buy a player a decent pair of boots for that

 

In general, players are pragmatic. Was there a player revolt when Adkins left...no....because they wanted to see what happened next. Did they walk out when Cortese moved on...no. Most of the players will not receive offers better than they have here...definitely not worth moving for. Players are simple souls who love being on a contract and playing football. They'll want to believe the best (unlike some fans).

 

For progress to be sustained, I hope the club can resist offers for Lallana, Schneiderlein, Lambert(possible WHU bid), Rodriguez, even though he is injured and of course Lovren as they are the backbone around which you can build a side. Haven't seen to much of Shaw but £30 million for a fullback is pretty good money - maybe £30 m plus Buttner as we were interested in that player at the start of the 2012-13 season should he go to United or £30 m plus Bertrand should the Chavs want him!!

 

Neither Buttner nor Bertrand are good enough for us.

 

Not sure why we'd want him.

 

Buttner has shown flashes of what he could be...aside from the money, he would probably have done better here, but then it allowed a youngster to progress.

 

Buttner is ****.