Why would players want to go.

[Clever Fox]

I've read on quite a dew posts that Vardy and Mahrez will probably go either in January or the Summer.

I don't really get this line of thought especially when you look at it objectively.

 

For a start their playing in a team that's top of the league. Playing for a Manager they all say is great to work with. For a Technical and Science team who are regarded the best in the business.

Their playing regularly In a lovely modern Stadium, and for Fans and Owners who love them.

The Owners are amazing and deserve success in the way they've overseen the progress of the Club. They've stated their intentions going forward, and even with the current set up and squad are willing to invest further.

I'm sure they'll both be offered more money, but I'm also hoping the Owners will be sensible and not create too much disparity in salaries as that always leads to trouble in a club. I personally believe the money should always be linked to success by way of incentive bonuses. 

 

As for the bigger Clubs idea, well as far as I'm concerned there's only 5 bigger than us.  Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. None of which are doing very well despite all their investment. they all seem awash with problems.

As for their players, they are constantly under huge pressure to perform and achieve every game. Does anyone really like or want that type of pressure and the hassle that goes with it.

Admittedly the salary might be better, but after the Tax man takes his 60% or so is the difference worth all the grief that being at a so called big clubs brings. They'll also ditch you the minute you have a dip in form while the papers will tear them apart.

As for success, You can only pick one of them and none of them have done too well in Europe in recent years.

 

So that leaves the question. Can we match their dreams, I'm sure we can match everybody's Dreams, simply because there's a bond between the players that all successful teams develop. They clearly enjoy playing together and for each other.

So I think they would be foolish to leave, but then again with agents in their ear young people are prone to make poor choices. 

 

[Mark_w]

As for the bigger Clubs idea, well as far as I'm concerned there's only 5 bigger than us.  Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

 

Aside from the laughable suggestion that we're bigger than Tottenham or Everton (and they're not the only ones in England although the others aren't necessarily a more attractive proposition than us at the moment), they also may well attract attention from sides abroad who are bigger than us, have more money and can offer what a lot of players may see as a more desirable lifestyle. There are a whole host of clubs who could offer more money, European football, a stronger long term chance of winning trophies and give them a better chance of being a key part of their international sides. Vardy we may well be able to keep because sides probably won't match our valuation as a result of his age, but I'm sure there will be a few who have their heads turned.

[fuchsntf]

I have been arguing the same point for awhile now.

Top 6 for me secures the services of all our so called top players.

What top European sides, will be interested, that guarrantee 1st team football.

January...Nobody goes, unless there is a massive breakup or petulant arguments.

[Sharpe's Fox]

mo money mo problems

[fleckneymike]

I've read on quite a dew posts that Vardy and Mahrez will probably go either in January or the Summer.

I don't really get this line of thought especially when you look at it objectively.

 

For a start their playing in a team that's top of the league. Playing for a Manager they all say is great to work with. For a Technical and Science team who are regarded the best in the business.

Their playing regularly In a lovely modern Stadium, and for Fans and Owners who love them.

The Owners are amazing and deserve success in the way they've overseen the progress of the Club. They've stated their intentions going forward, and even with the current set up and squad are willing to invest further.

I'm sure they'll both be offered more money, but I'm also hoping the Owners will be sensible and not create too much disparity in salaries as that always leads to trouble in a club. I personally believe the money should always be linked to success by way of incentive bonuses. 

 

As for the bigger Clubs idea, well as far as I'm concerned there's only 5 bigger than us.  Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. None of which are doing very well despite all their investment. they all seem awash with problems.

As for their players, they are constantly under huge pressure to perform and achieve every game. Does anyone really like or want that type of pressure and the hassle that goes with it.

Admittedly the salary might be better, but after the Tax man takes his 60% or so is the difference worth all the grief that being at a so called big clubs brings. They'll also ditch you the minute you have a dip in form while the papers will tear them apart.

As for success, You can only pick one of them and none of them have done too well in Europe in recent years.

 

So that leaves the question. Can we match their dreams, I'm sure we can match everybody's Dreams, simply because there's a bond between the players that all successful teams develop. They clearly enjoy playing together and for each other.

So I think they would be foolish to leave, but then again with agents in their ear young people are prone to make poor choices. 

 

You aren't being objective.

 

If you were being objective you'd realise that there are more than 5 clubs who are 'bigger' than us. We aren't an established Prem team let alone an establish top half side. If we finish in the european places then we could conceivably keep the likes of Drinkwater, Schlupp and Fuchs. The 'better' players - I doubt even european football would be enough.

 

As we have seen with Southampton over the last few seasons; if a 'big' side want you - a big side takes you. Mahrez, in his current form, is going to go to a top side either here or on the continent. Kante will probably have to replicate this form for one more season before he will be snapped up. Vardy will, I imagine, wait until the summer and then move. Drinkwater could conceivably move to a side as big as Spurs (you only need look at how much 'easier' it is to gain a cap if you play for Spurs).

 

Do I want them to leave? No. Do I expect them to? Yes.

[Izzy]

You aren't being objective.

If you were being objective you'd realise that there are more than 5 clubs who are 'bigger' than us. We aren't an established Prem team let alone an establish top half side. If we finish in the european places then we could conceivably keep the likes of Drinkwater, Schlupp and Fuchs. The 'better' players - I doubt even european football would be enough.

As we have seen with Southampton over the last few seasons; if a 'big' side want you - a big side takes you. Mahrez, in his current form, is going to go to a top side either here or on the continent. Kante will probably have to replicate this form for one more season before he will be snapped up. Vardy will, I imagine, wait until the summer and then move. Drinkwater could conceivably move to a side as big as Spurs (you only need look at how much 'easier' it is to gain a cap if you play for Spurs).

Do I want them to leave? No. Do I expect them to? Yes.

Modern day football is quite sad when you put it like that.

[bluebeau]

If you were frying fish in the local chippy & Gordon Ramsey came & knocked on your door, would you turn down his offer of head chef?

 

 tongue in cheek!!!

[fuchsntf]

If you were frying fish in the local chippy & Gordon Ramsey came & knocked on your door, would you turn down his offer of head chef?

 

 tongue in cheek!!!

My fish are bashfull, they wouldnt like Gordon swearing in front of the chips....

[1972 Fox]

As for the bigger Clubs idea, well as far as I'm concerned there's only 5 bigger than us. Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Not so Clever Fox!

[Nickfosse]

Very much agree with the OP.

I've got two words for Jamie and they are Rickie Lambert.

Scoring goals for fun at ston. Highlighted on motd for his all round play between the lines and selected for England.

Signed by big boys Liverpool, barely got a game and ended up at Weat Brom, again, barely getting a game.

I'm sure that if our best players joined someone else they wouldn't get the freedoms and look as good as they do with us.

[Guest]

You aren't being objective.

 

If you were being objective you'd realise that there are more than 5 clubs who are 'bigger' than us. We aren't an established Prem team let alone an establish top half side. If we finish in the european places then we could conceivably keep the likes of Drinkwater, Schlupp and Fuchs. The 'better' players - I doubt even european football would be enough.

 

As we have seen with Southampton over the last few seasons; if a 'big' side want you - a big side takes you. Mahrez, in his current form, is going to go to a top side either here or on the continent. Kante will probably have to replicate this form for one more season before he will be snapped up. Vardy will, I imagine, wait until the summer and then move. Drinkwater could conceivably move to a side as big as Spurs (you only need look at how much 'easier' it is to gain a cap if you play for Spurs).

 

Do I want them to leave? No. Do I expect them to? Yes.

Arguably you're being "too objective", putting too much emphasis on the tangible and not enough on the potential. 

 

Everton may be a solid top half club but where will they be in the next 5-10 years? What do they offer beyond stability? Will they be relegated? Probably not - but neither is anyone expecting them to win the league or do anything noteworthy in Europe. Personally, I'd rather take a risk on a feisty up-and-comer such as ourselves. Not everyone would think like that, but that's exactly why 'bigger clubs' isn't a black and white matter of facts.

 

Our owners have stated their intent, they've taken appropriate steps towards their goals, and done so without damaging the team spirit or atmosphere around the club. There's a long way to go, but we're setting ourselves up to be the next Man City - albeit a much more likable one. I'm sure we'll spend good money when necessary, but we won't flash it around or waste our time with mercenaries (hopefully). That means we will miss out on certain players, but I'm sure it will make it easier attract and retain ones with real character.

 

Plus the top 4 clubs have lost much of their monopoly and subsequent appeal. Sir Alex wanting to bring you to United to play beautiful, winning football all around the world, is very different to Van Gaal asking you to bore yourself to death and win nothing.

 

 

Mahrez definitely will be a tricky one to keep, and honestly I do expect him to leave - especially with his age and if Spain comes calling. But combining our momentum, financial clout, and spirit of the team, I wouldn't say it's inevitable.

[davieG]

Let's  not forget the influence of players agent's who seemingly only get their big pay days off the back of a high priced transfer.

[ithuriel]

To be fair they also get money from renegotiating for new contracts which is what will undoubtedly happen if we finish in the top six.

Would not be surprised if there is not a bonus payment for every player that gets picked for the match day squads if we finish with a European place.

I cant see any of the first team squad being sold in January and if we finish well then next season we will be building a more powerful team.

Mahrez only worries me because I get the feeling he might want to try one of the other leagues eventually, hopefully we can hold onto him for another couple of seasons before he decides on a change of climate.

[Clever Fox]

Aside from the laughable suggestion that we're bigger than Tottenham or Everton (and they're not the only ones in England although the others aren't necessarily a more attractive proposition than us at the moment), they also may well attract attention from sides abroad who are bigger than us, have more money and can offer what a lot of players may see as a more desirable lifestyle. There are a whole host of clubs who could offer more money, European football, a stronger long term chance of winning trophies and give them a better chance of being a key part of their international sides. Vardy we may well be able to keep because sides probably won't match our valuation as a result of his age, but I'm sure there will be a few who have their heads turned.

All right I grant you Tottenham are in that group but I don't believe Everton are. I was only referring to England the Premiership and the here and now.

I know that there are big Clubs on the Continent. Yes there's even Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa but they've all be in the doldrums for a long time now and I don;t see that changing any time soon unless they have the good sense to go and get in Pearson as Manager.

The point I was trying to make was that we have everything in place here for lasting success. Good Owners and no Debt, a decent squad which can be added to further as we continue to progress.

You can even see the hunger in the players faces, All we need is the patience and the time it takes to deliver.

The grass isn't always greener elsewhere for players, Torres is one example,  yes there's the lure of big cities like London, but that's mostly for the Wags.

The big parasite on the English game is agents. They don't earn if players don't keep moving. So they'll be in players Ears constantly.

If we can keep the squad together with 3 or 4 additions then we will really be in position to take on anyone with a realistic chance of winning.

Football never stands still and so success has to be measured in different ways, There's only 3 trophies and the bonus of Europe. I've waited 55 years to see us in such a strong position, all of that time suffering the laughs and ridicule of others while the Forests, Derby's and Coventry's had their days in the sunshine.

Now it's our turn and like so many on here I'm enjoying it, I just want it to last which I believe it can if managed properly by the Owners. Keep doing what we're doing the way we're doing it and we will get there in time.

[Guest Col city fan]

Money.

Most players aren't loyal.

If Man Utd come in for Vardy and offer him 130k per week, do you think he'd stay?

Actually Vardy may be a poor example. At least he'd think about it. But then he'd go.

[Great Boos Up]

They are "professional" footballers. They use their talent to earn money, and not just salary.

Sponsorships and endorsements are much greater at your top 5 teams.

How much would the agent of Mahrez have got for £400,000 and how much would he get for £40,000,000? An agents payday if we sell on and they will push so hard to make it happen.

[hackneyfox]

To be fair they also get money from renegotiating for new contracts which is what will undoubtedly happen if we finish in the top six.

Would not be surprised if there is not a bonus payment for every player that gets picked for the match day squads if we finish with a European place.

I cant see any of the first team squad being sold in January and if we finish well then next season we will be building a more powerful team.

Mahrez only worries me because I get the feeling he might want to try one of the other leagues eventually, hopefully we can hold onto him for another couple of seasons before he decides on a change of climate.

If it's true that Walsh & Shakespeare get a 100% bonus for us staying up then I'd expect the players to be on a decent bonus for the same let alone qualifying for Europe.

[filbertway]

Money.

Most players aren't loyal.

If Man Utd come in for Vardy and offer him 130k per week, do you think he'd stay?

Actually Vardy may be a poor example. At least he'd think about it. But then he'd go.

 

I think we'd be more than willing to match any wage offers to be honest. It's easy to forget that we have owners willing to splash the cash when necessary.

[ThaiFox]

Very much agree with the OP.

I've got two words for Jamie and they are Rickie Lambert.

Scoring goals for fun at ston. Highlighted on motd for his all round play between the lines and selected for England.

Signed by big boys Liverpool, barely got a game and ended up at Weat Brom, again, barely getting a game.

I'm sure that if our best players joined someone else they wouldn't get the freedoms and look as good as they do with us.

Totally agree. I said the very same thing on the 'vardy's dilemma' thread. Lambert is the perfect example to players thinking the grass is greener. If Vardy thinks he'll get regular football in one of the so called bigger teams, he will get a rude awakening. If he moves he might get a few starts, but a year later could end up playing out his career at 30 y.o. on the subs bench for a Watford, Burnley sized team. As Nickfosse says, Lambert was a hero at Southampton. Now he can't get a full match at WBA.

[Foxxed]

If your career only really lasted 15 years, and you were six years into it, I reckon you'd jump ship if a company came along and offered to give you better wages, the possibility to learn from the very best in the industry and you weren't 100% sure you'd get the same offer again.

There is, of course, one thing that could get players in such a dilemma to stay: champions league football in an excellent team they're already established in. And depending on the next five or so games, we could convince our players we are such a team.

But really, hoping our best players will turn down Real, Bayern, Arsenal and Barcelona isn't tenable in the long term (I only hope they don't leave mid season). I'm much more interested in--looking forward a few seasons--building our youth team, looking at Dodoo, Chiliwick, improving Schlupp further and so forth.

[Lestoh]

If your career only really lasted 15 years, and you were six years into it, I reckon you'd jump ship if a company came along and offered to give you better wages, the possibility to learn from the very best in the industry and you weren't 100% sure you'd get the same offer again.

There is, of course, one thing that could get players in such a dilemma to stay: champions league football in an excellent team they're already established in. And depending on the next five or so games, we could convince our players we are such a team.

But really, hoping our best players will turn down Real, Bayern, Arsenal and Barcelona isn't tenable in the long term (I only hope they don't leave mid season). I'm much more interested in--looking forward a few seasons--building our youth team, looking at Dodoo, Chiliwick, improving Schlupp further and so forth.

Is Chiliwick any good?

[Foxxed]

U21, utd and chelsea are interested. Worth investing effort into, I'd say. Need him to sign a new contract though...

[Fox92]

Not just for money though. There's the medals aspect too. Playing for a bigger club = more chance of winning trophies. 

[Tommy G]

I hope Chilwick doesn't go

[My Nads]

Money.

Most players aren't loyal.

If Man Utd come in for Vardy and offer him 130k per week, do you think he'd stay?

Actually Vardy may be a poor example. At least he'd think about it. But then he'd go.

I've never had the feeling Vardy wants to leave, so pay him what he's worth and he should stay. Mahrez on the other hand, I feel he could be off in the summer. To be honest if we got a big stack of cash for him, I wouldn't be too fused about it. We could replace him with someone similar, OK maybe not as good, but it wouldn't change the style of play if he went. Losing Vardy would change the dynamics of the team, so keeping Vardy happy and giving him a big new contract would be my main concern right now. If we paid Vardy 130k a week it would be worth it, there's no one better to spend the TV money on.