I know this has been discussed before, but football really is an odd business. Very, very different from any other business I know. It all seems to stem from the fact that employees (players) have a material value and are assets to be traded. Ironically, that puts the position of power with the players in many instances. The reason I write this is because for the 3rd or 4th time in the last week I read about a player who doesn't want to be picked 'because he isn't in the right frame of mind'. Earlier in the week De Gea is quoted by van Gaal as not wanting to play (though De Gea denies that). Today I read that Manchester United and Manchester City target Nicolas Otamendi is close to leaving Valencia after the 27-year-old defender asked not to take part in training on Thursday because he did not feel in the right frame of mind. In what other business would an employer tolerate an employee not wanting to work because he didn't feel like it? I know it is different and understand some of the reasons, but in a lot of instances the balance of power is really skewed. Prima Donnas who don't appreciate how lucky / privileged they are.
There was a time when from parks football right up to the old first division that being selected to play for your club was reward enough. That still holds true for many at the lower levels but the higher you go, the more the power shifts toward the players involved. I can remember playing personally with youth sides up to the old South Wales Amateur league with some players then who thought they were chocolate but wielded very little power in the real scheme of things. No idea what it's like now at that level but would have thought if someone came out with those sort of remarks, they'd be told to **** off.
"It all seems to stem from the fact that employees (players) have a material value and are assets to be traded. Ironically, that puts the position of power with the players in many instances" I tend to disagree slightly in that there is a massive role played by the players agents, something that us mere mortals are not privileged to have. However there is an old saying that "everyone has their price", and in these cases its the agents who dictate how everyone plays the game? If you exchange "not feel in the right frame of mind" for "stress" then management could really have a go at them, and would possibly highlight the "wrap around services" that these pampered superstars have, this would result in a lose of status by supporters and investors alike. In the real world people complain first, then go on the sick, and management usually tries to support around the complaint and hopefully plays a role in encouraging a return to work. You then, having returned to work, have a "back to work interview." All these processes are recorded with parties in agreement to try and make your workplace a better and safer environment for you and possibly your work mates. Now deal with your superstars in that management style and unfortunately most of them are not intelligent enough to know what their real problem is, they,ve been told by their agents. Every transfer should have a clause that if the "employee" decides without reasonable cause that they want to move then they should forfeit their wages, and both theirs and the agents signing on fees from their current employer, the tab can be picked up by the "courting club" together with the agreed transfer fee. RANT OVER. Peace and goodwill to all. Incidentally had a chat with Blakey and Cohen G on Thursday, both in good spirits. Blooooobirds
