Gino is worried about Brexit and the impact on our squad - maybe explains why we have got in a load of British youngsters into the Under 23s? http://sportwitness.co.uk/italy-pozzo-trembles-ahead-brexit-watford-owner-bigger-worries-form/
The key sentence there is that 'The UK government has made it clear that EU nationals will be able to continue working in the country'. For those already here that may be the case but for those still in the pipeline, or who want to come after that date then things could get difficult. The scattergun approach to recruitment ie. sending them over by the dozen may not work any more. Something like 40% of all players in the Premiership come from other EU countries - if they had been subjected to the same rules as non EU players then only a third of them would have been accepted.
I don't think it is just about players being allowed to play in the UK, but about the values of them. Depending on what currency has been used to buy one, a sudden depreciation in sterling could devalue a squad, and make players we want more expensive. I forget which one, but one of the larger clubs included in their latest accounts the profit of about £5M they had made on currency transactions. While the accounts of the football club are shown in £'s, the holding company is likely to report in €'s. The whole business is in danger of losing out with many payments such as the Spanish architects who have been employed on the stadium works being payed in €'s I would think. It all becomes very complex.
Currency fluctuations have always been a problem for companies that trade internationally but the the exchange values can be mitigated to a certain extent. I would expect sterling to rise fairly quickly once Brexit has been completed. Any foreign contractors would have probably negotiated a figure in Euros, the cost in pounds at the rate purchased. I would expect a business like WFC to buy Euros at a relative high, not at spot rate.
A lot depends of what sort of agreement, if any, where the value of sterling goes. Seeing as the negotiations for a trade deal could take up to ten years, Brexit will be a major problem for the UK for many years to come and the currency will be under pressure throughout that time. As Nigel Lawson once said, sterling as a lone currency will always be vulnerable to speculators, and with the size of the USA, Europe and China, it will be the first to suffer.
Sterling has already lost a substantial value since 2016 and the BofE buys Stirling to keep it at a reasonable level. On at least 2 occasions since the vote they have had to buy billions to keep it from going on the run.
The UK will not rely on a trade deal from the EU to prosper. Sterling will benefit from the massive amount of cash in the UK that has built up waiting for a firm decision. The ongoing financial problems of the EU will also help Sterling appreciate in value against the Euro. Sterling was vulnerable, as it proved, shadowing the ERM. When the UK left the ERM it entered a sustained period of financial growth far outstripping those in Europe. Many countries in the Euro group have suffered dreadfully being tied to a common currency. It just does not work unless there is a federal state which only those on the gravy train in Brussels actually wants.
OK. The problem is finance and eventually politics is entwined around most subjects. Whether we like it or not political decisions will affect our player buying options, hopefully the Pozzos will have a cunning plan in their locker!! The club does seem to be looking to snap up homegrown young talent. We all appreciate having our own youngsters coming through to make the first team.
Ben Wilmot was an unused substitute in Swansea City's 1-1 draw at home with Reading. WO He is out on loan to a Championship side to get playing time, and be match fit. It makes little sense to me to send a player out on loan to a club that doesn't play him. Maybe he isn't good enough?
Swansea have their own youngsters at the back I think with a bit of experience in Van Der Horn. Does seem to be a waste of time. The ex England Youth coach is the manager who would know Willmott quite well so maybe this boos doesn't rate him?
Swansea obviously think he is not the best option at their club, with hindsight maybe a lower division. He is still very young so plenty of time to gain experience but sitting on the bench is no good for anybody.
Thanks SH. I appreciate the problem of trying to keep politics out of finance. I have a degree in economics (though I have since gone on the 12 step programme to get off it).
Unfortunately it's possible to bring politics into more or less every thread NZ. One coincidence worth noting is that England only ever win football World cups when Labour is in power
True. England have never won the World Cup when their shirt has been manufactured by a foreign company. Mind you, Brazil have won it wearing kit produced by an English company but never a Brazilian company.
well at least we are the best at something https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/17944390.holebas-booking-rate-worst-leagues-history/ not exactly what we should be proud of though
According to a report in the WO, Troy Deeney should be back to fitness in two to three weeks after his knee operation.