Executive Director Les Reed commented: âWe are naturally disappointed whenever any of our Academy graduates leave the club, and that is very much the case with Calumâs departure. âCalum made it clear to us that he did not see his future at Southampton. As such, it was crucial that we were able to negotiate a substantial fee that also reflects the work our staff have put into Calumâs development since he joined the club at the age of eight. âOur position remains unchanged in that we are determined to keep our best young players at the club, as is evidenced by the decision to award Harrison Reed a new long-term contract last week, adding to the list of committed young professionals like James Ward Prowse, Sam Gallagher, Jack Stephens, Jordan Turnbull, Matt Targett, Sam McQueen and others who have seen plenty of first-team activity recently. âWe have an abundance of talent in the Academy coming through, and everybody at the club is continuing to work hard on bringing in quality new players as we build a team capable of taking us further forward in the coming seasons. âIt is important in the transfer window to remain calm, resilient and above all patient. We have targets, and we are working hard to get them across the line.â Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/arti...bers-arsenal-1787887.aspx#JGRpy5Y5WOkhDZZc.99
I think the second paragraph in that shows us all what's happening. Big clubs come in, players wants to go, asks to go, club gets best possible deal for that player. Simple really.
Interesting use of the word 'committed' there! At least something is being said. Perhaps they read (reed) this forum
Rubbish statement, we have sold the young players that had value bar Ward-Prowse and fans have been more than patient with the club. It still sounds like we're no closer to gaining any replacements.
The problem with our academy is that we either produce players that are too good for us, or no good at all.
Good point. In recent times, I'd say that Wenger has an uncanny knack of making young english players worse. Walcott & Oxlade-Chamberlain (injuries aside) haven't exactly gone on to a higher level ability wise. He's clearly admitted that Jenkinson isn't up to the job. He can't control the off-field habits of Wilshire, who is also more bluff than substance. Chambers to be out on loan to West Brom within a season...
well with any luck we will only have to go through this charade a couple more times then hopefully we'll have no one decent left to sell so we can talk about something else.
I'm sorry but that statement doesn't feel me with any more confidence about things. Unfortunately, what ever people's interpretation of the sales and our position as a "smaller club" in the League, Reed said this 3 months ago prior to the window: "“We want to retain the players we’ve got. They are all contracted. They all have existing contracts and we intend for them to honour those contracts. Any enquiries we get will probably be met with a ‘no – not for sale’. Our intention is to keep this very good team together and build on it by bringing new players to improve on that." 3 months later, 5 players have left, including 3 academy graduates. As such, I don't take much notice of what he says now. I don't have my head buried in the sand, and realise that we are not a member of the elite, but it is difficult to trust a man (and the board) who has totally gone back on his word, without bringing in a number of replacements as yet (excluding Pelle and Tadic). The board don't seem to have control over the transfer situation, I'm afraid.
12 months ago we would have bitten somones hand off if they offered that much for Callum. Its a cracking deal for us...... as long as the money goes back into the squad. Lets just wait and see who comes in.
We wanted a statement and we got one, so not going to complain. A fan sent an open letter to the club (published in the Echo) so I'm not surprised Les released this. Am heartened by the fact that the sale of Chambers was not part of the plan...because it made little sense. Calum wanted to go (no loyalty there) as he wants to hold his career back for a season or so whilst pocketing big money and being let loose in the City...probably a bad move but he is young after all.
Doesn't make a statement gets moaned at, makes a statement gets moaned at. You can see why they prefer the bunker down approach.
Because he can treble his salary, play for a team with UCL football in a modern 60,000 seated stadium with plans for expansion and millions of fans all around the world. Basically, because they're in the elite of world football.
