I hear Ash has thrown a wobbler over , being given only a year's extension to his contract! Ryan Bertrand is the future in that spot, so I dont have big issues long term, but I dont think this bodes well for attitude and team spirit in our bid for the PL! What do you guys think?
This whole "we wont give players over 30 any more than a year extension" BS is just that....BS. It really fu**ing annoys me! The days of players retiring at 32 are well and truly over. Look at Drogba, Giggs, Scholes and even Sheringham. All doing great jobs for their clubs well in to their mid 30's! (or 40's in Teddys case).
Why cant these clubs learn that due better fitness regimes and advances in Sports Sciences, that players will be able to continue playing for much longer these days than say 10-15 years ago.
Bodanki--I fully agree that this over-30's business is barmy! Each player should be judged on his own merits as to his future usefulness! Would JT be judged in the same way? I realise oiur style of play is undergoing the great transformation--but Cole is the best LB in the country-and still as fit as a butchers dog! He has to be given 2 years!
This. Isnt ageism illegal anyway? Especially if the person in question has more than proved they can carry out their job.
Tricky thing though in football, whether someone is good enough or not is the opinion of the club when it comes to handling contracts therefore they could not be proved of being age-ist! Cole for me is still the best LB in the world and has been a savior, we should be giving him what he asks for within reason.
Id give him a 3 year extension we need time to ease Bertrand into the role we cant just go and hott shot this and let Cole go and leave ourselves weak at LB Bertrand needs to take over gradually the lad clearly has the talent to fill Coles boots he's just not quite ready yet .
I'm not sure we can leave Bertrand bench warming for 3 years! He's already earned his place fo England! Ashley should have 2 years and be allowed to move on after on a free, while Ryan shares the LB position in the large programme we have in 4 tournaments.
Two years is a good compromise. Even though players last longer now, decline can come much quicker as they age. Who knows how good he will be in 3 years?? Or how much better Bertrand will be in 2 ??? No one. Look at Lamps, serious decline as a 90 min player in 2 years. Not suprising the dummy spit, a Leopard can't change its spots. Don't expect a mature, logical negotiation with Cole, he's a real prima donna. And you can bet he won"t even be considering a pay cut for the last year if he gets 3 more. He will be wanting everything his way.
We'll get money for him in January--assuming thats the case! Good job we've got Englands next LB on our books-eh! I still think we should give him 2 years though!
