Well let me see if I can persuade you differently.
In seasons past, Saints have always said that they don't want to sell anybody, because they want to grow with those players. But inevitably, with our policy of plucking really promising players out of seemingly nowhere [not quite, but sometimes it feels like it] that tends to come unstuck. We can't pay these players ridiculous salaries, but we aren't exactly Scrooges either. To counter that situation we have put every player that we want to keep on a very long contract, so that the very decent money works out to be a very large amount even if nothing changes, and can be ramped up every so often, as and when we can afford it. It also means that it gives us a heck of a lot of leverage if a club comes in. That leverage can ultimately mean NO SALE, because we need the player more than we need the money. This football club is here to be successful and richer, not endlessly moderately rich. So if that player kicks up a stink, then all they do is make the situation worse for themselves, if the club stays resolute. The thing is, we have to be prepared to let VVD rot in the reserves while paying him his basic. This season, for the first time, Saints have spelt out root and branch that they will be keeping the players they want to keep, as a direct policy of the long contracts. Now, they either back that up by keeping their word or the whole policy falls apart. This is their way of stopping the close season exodus. It means that not only will VVD not leave, he CAN'T leave. Or the whole idea of long contracts is a complete waste of time, and the importance of it cannot be simply overlooked. It is so important that Saints whole ambitions lie on their resoluteness. I would suspect Krueger to walk out the door if VVD left sooner rather than later. Perhaps even Les himself. And Les, at the beginning of the summer, and Ralph just recently, have pretty much put their reputations on the line, if you read between the lines. VVD could leave in January, though I doubt it very much. He might even be here this time next year. Perhaps in a happier frame of mind.
Note: I've edited this post.
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