Contracts . Why not see them out?

Regarding contracts, just what is wrong with a player seeing his contract out? Four years should mean four years, not two then jump ship.

Is it in the players interest or clubs interest to negotiate this whole contract issue well before they expire? In Nolans' case it was two years! A lot can happen in that time!

As a free agent, surely the existing club could just negotiate with the player to renew?

Might be a real test of loyalty for those players who "love wearing the shirt", and who "love the fans".............

Recent experience shows that players in their last year are worth jack sh*t .............Barton for one wouldn't have been released if he was worth £6m today.

 

It's in both parties interest to have a good few years of their contract sorted. For the club it helps thwart player poaching and avoids losing their investment to a bosman transfer. For players who are still developing each updated contract should better reflect their ability and standing in the squad, for older players (like Nolan) who will be declining soon they want to sort out a long contract before their negotiating position weakens. Negotiating a new contract with a player who has 6 months or lessleft on his contract means that you are in direct competition with other clubs for his signature, transferring almost all power to the player.

 

Gone too far the other way now. Just the way the market works but like you say it would be nice to have security. I suppose there are all sorts of mitigating factors too. For instance if a player signs on because of the vision over 4 years the club have sold, and then they backtrack you'd have to say a player is well within his rights to leave early because the contract is between two parties so both have to keep their end up.

 

Cheers........