Iâve been interested to see many references in articles on here referring to us becoming a âselling clubâ in light of the recent transfer activity. In my opinion there is nothing Bruce, Quinn, Short or anybody else can do about this for various reasons 1. Money Iâve no idea how much cash Ellis Short has or is willing to pump into the club. As shown by a recent Guardian article:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/19/premier-league-finances-black-hole weâre not in a good place financially. We know weâve got money sloshing about from the sales of Bent and Henderson but whoever we might like to spend it on we canât afford to pay the salaries that bigger clubs can pay. 2. Geography Thereâs obviously nothing we can do about this. We all know that being stuck on the far north-eastern corner of the country is a significant negative influence when it comes to attracting big names, especially British players. Even foreign players who may be grateful to join us to get a chance in the Prem will be attracted by the bright lights of London (see the Gyan articles this morning) 3. History Weâve had some glory days in the past (not in my depressingly long lifetime, 1973 apart) but when players look at Sunderland they see a small provincial club (albeit with good attendances) belonging, at best, in mid table. Thus, when teams come sniffing around our better players the players will usually be interested. If they want to move there is nothing the club can do about it other than haggle the best price they can get. From the players viewpoint they will be looking at one or more of a significant pay rise (probably at least £1m a year), a bigger club (in their eyes) and living in the bright lights (particularly attractive to the WAGS). Even local lads like Jordan Henderson, if they are good enough, will be tempted by these factors. There is nothing the club can do about any of this so lay off the âselling clubâ tag. Without European qualification to generate the revenues to pay premium wages to compensate for the other perceived downsides there is no way out.
We bother coz we're Sunderland. In the same way as the vast majority of the League we can't compete financially but it doesn't mean we can't compete on the pitch and (very attractive to Ellis Short) we can develop academy lads and make big money from them. It's just pointless to think we can choose to keep hold of players when the big, rich boys come calling.
Totally agree, Whitburn. To call SAFC a selling club is insulting, TBH. Are Everton or Villa selling clubs because of the likes of Rooney/Lescott and Young/Downing? It's going to be a good few years before SAFC can build up the financial clout to hold onto the likes of Hendo, And that will only happen if success on the field is matched by greater commercial success. There is no other way. In the meantime, there is not much we can do to hold on to our best Academy stars. Colback is likely to be the next one to be prised away next year. All the club can do at the moment is try to negotiate the best price and reinvest. While using the likes of Milliband to promote the club on a worldwide scale. That will not happen overnight.
Sorry but unfortunately, WE are a selling club, Henderson only signed a new contract a while back, but years still left on it, as was Bents.if we dont want to sell, and show the world that we are in for the long haul, whilst improving the squad, then we could attract more players, but selling your gems, sends the wrong signal, so does trying to recruit eight or nine new faces, we are, I am sorry to say , very much a selling club. if not please show me otherwise, convince me. not just your oppinions hard facts. history proves it wrong.
so getting into europe is easy then? (league wise i mean) Man U 590 million debt Chelsea 734 million Arsenal 136 million man City 44 million but 500 million put in by the owners personally i think the only hope we have of European football in the league is if uefa does crack down on spending and 1 ot more of the top 8 get kicked out, then we may have a chance.
Sounds exactly the same as West Ham. They kept bringing through talented youngsters like Defoe, Joe Cole, Ferdinand etc from their academy and sold them on. Was it a good business model? Obviously not, when you look at the mess they are now in. Stability comes with success on the pitch. We will not achieve success if we keep selling off our most valuable assets to the first manager that shouts "Loadsamoney!"
Calm down lads. I'm not saying this great news or a great business model I'm just laying out the facts as I see them. If clubs come in waving money in the players' faces their heads will be turned. Hanging on to players who want to go is a recipe for disaster in the dressing room and around the club. Even the mighty ManU had to sell Ronaldo when Real offered them silly money.
Really? I would say Liverpool paying £20m for Henderson was much sillier than Real paying £80m for Ronaldo. (£35m for Carroll was also crazy)
