As of latest accounting, Stoke had marginally more commercial revenue than us, but we have significantly higher matchday income, as Stoke has extremely low ticket prices. We also took in a fair bit more money overall...the gap between their overall revenues and ours is a shade larger than the gap between ours and Everton.
It has been mentioned that Leicester, Stoke and Palace may overtake us. Well they are us before the top 6 came waving their money at our players. If they keep up their existing form I have no doubt that they will be targets for the top 6 clubs just as we are. I am surprised that Stoke are being thrown into the mix as they had a poor start to the season and have only recently come good. A bit early to be declaring them world beaters I think.
We\re hoping for unicorns, then. When many clubs are willing to pay them more than double what we are, we simply will not be able to hold on to very good players for any length of time. Loyalty only extends so far.
I dunno I was expecting Stoke to have a good year before a ball was even kicked, they started poorly but are finding their way now and are certainties for another top 10 finish imo.
Stoke are a good side. The point probably is that they are similar to us. They weren't far behind us last season and will be in and around us again this year.
Yeah I agree with this, but I'm saying if they're prepared to increase their wage bill this Summer and we are not then they will overtake us. (I'm not saying this is what's going to happen btw, just hypothetically speaking) It's looking more and more likely that last years top 6 will be the same as this years bar Leicester for Chelsea.
Indeed. Competition be damned, it's all about the money. But if Leicester finish top 4, then no one can say it can't be done.
There is still a long way to go for Leicester, they haven't had serious injury issues to deal with so they have managed to put out pretty much a settled team with their best players in place. What will happen if Vardy or Mahrez get injured? Drinkwater looked like he had damaged a hamstring last night. I expect them to finish probably 5th or 6th which would be a magnificent effort. We were doing well last season until the likes of Snidders and Toby were injured, then Tadic disappeared and Pelle couldn't hit a barn door. This saw us tumble down the league and I sadly expect something similar to happen to Leicester this season
It is not winning the league that is the problem in the main it is winning it and staying at the top!! Good luck to Leicester if they can stay there or there abouts' but it is doubtful. They have only to lose a couple of their players and the balance will be gone. Having the quality to get up there and stay up there is what all are trying to achieve. None have done it consistently without spending large amounts of money. Although there is a case that even spending large amounts of cash is useless if they are not the right players......Ask Chelsea. May be that we have not been so hot on our purchases last year good players on paper but not so good for us maybe.........
All these discussions go back to wages. £15m players are about the best players we can get who fit within our salary structure. Any player worth £25m has massive salary expectations, and that's why we don't or can't buy them.
If only! US dollars suggests we're hanging on to them into virtual retirement until the MLS comes calling. Would be very happy with that.
Maybe Leicester are going to do a mirror image of their last season. Get ready for a losing streak about a mile wide, if so.
Leicester, Stoke and Palace all have one thing in common. A squad that is added to each season instead of a squad needing to replace players each season. None of them have yet to be raided like us. That gives them a advantage already.
Maybe a little different this coming summer...who will want to pay top fee's for players who have had a stinking season when they can look at those clubs whose players have shown promise. Might be someone else turn to suffer the ravages of the top clubs
Another reason to root for Leicester then. It would be interesting to see what happens if they do finish in the top 4. Any player leaving them in those circumstances wouldn't be able to use wanting to play in the CL as a rreason
