Rival watch

What does constitute "exceptional circumstances" for changing squad numbers during the season, as a matter of interest?
Number phobia? The club shop has run out of 3s?
Seriously, what grounds could exist?

 

Selling players springs to mind...

 

But why would another player have to take their number?

 

Selling shirts also springs to mind

 

No idea. A number suddenly being associated with a disaster or something? Not a clue.

 

Depends on the circumstances

One example off the top of my head is when Liverpool sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea and suddenly lacked a No9 - so very quickly gave the No9 shirt to Andy Carroll (and that's not the only example of them doing so that season, as they gave the No4 shirt to Raul Meireles after selling the previous incumbent Alberto Aquilani)

In that case it;s somewhere between a statement of intent in believing Andy Carroll could replicate Torres' form on the pitch (rather than the treatment room) and also because, as the various pundits always say, Liverpool have a rich history of No9s so not having one for half a season is likely to cause the British Empire to fall

 

There's reports suggesting that Salah is demanding £500k a week wages to stay at Liverpool

Alright, who do we think has tapped him up?

 

Levy?

 

Man Utd? Just for the hilarity.

 

I wouldn't stay in Liverpool for twice that

 

Yes you would. And they all live in Cheshire. You'd only have a to do a few weeks to be set for life.

 

It's pretty bad when players have nightmares over a number on a bloody shirt! Get on with the game. The players will be having weird haircuts and body tattoos next!!!!?

 

Have there been any other examples of numbers being transferred within the squad when the player losing the number is still a member of the squad? When this was mooted I remember a few people on TalkShite (yeah, maybe not the best source but seemed reasonable at the time) saying that they can't do this without a good reason. Well if they did supply a reason I'd really like to know what it is. Otherwise I thought the rule was that the squad numbers are set. But then again ManU are there to challenge the rules on squad numbers (as well as penalties, length of games and other things that may benefit them).

 

I’ll ask again. What would amount to “good reason” for having one number on a shirt in place of another?
The reason for Ronaldo is the commercial benefit to him and the club. Would the PL see that as good reason? The PL exists because it was a commercial opportunity. It remains just that. Otherwise it would have stayed as Division One. Spurs take advantage of that too, you know. As does every other club taking part.
Perhaps the more pertinent question is why is there a rule against it in the first place?

 

Presumably it's also for commercial reasons, as broadcasters and advertisers will create things with those numbers.
If people can just change them all the time, then it's an issue for them.
Fans buying shirts with defunct number is also a problem, though it's also easily solved.

If the rule is unnecessary, then they should get rid of it.
It it is necessary, then Utd shouldn't be given an exemption. They get enough of them as it is.

 

You can see why the numbers were allowed to be changed for Ronaldo. It’s the correct decision. CR7 brand etc

 

Presumably that's his brand, and nothing to do with the club (perhaps there is some indirect benefit?) So the PL are allowing this for the benefit of Ronaldo. They're setting him up to do anything he wants (as if he couldn't anyway). I pity Newcastle in the next match because whatever he does he's going to get away with it. For example, not saying it will happen, but who is going to send off Ronaldo on his home debut? Sure if it's beyond blatant, but why do I get the feeling that he's going to be given the 'benefit of the doubt'. A lot this season.

 

I don’t think there’s a major issue him switching numbers. The only people who’d rightly feel aggrieved are those who bought a Cavani 7 shirt. If Utd/ Adidas have offered refunds to those customers or the chance to somehow change the number then I think there should be no problem Ronaldo taking his preferred number 7.

 

The only player that "switched" numbers was Cavani. When James left for Leeds the 21 number became available so we switched it to Cavani because it's his preferred number.
This let the number 7 free which has now gone to Ronaldo since he had not been assigned a number (as far as i know).

And yes, United are sorting out supporters who bought new shirts with Cavani 7 on them by exchanging them at the club shop.

 

I concede that this may (ironically) be a valid reason