If you read the tabloids, it is difficult to predict what the future holds for Liverpool Football Club in the January Transfer Window and beyond. The bookmakers might as well lay odds on Michael Mouse being the next manager with D.Duck as his star signing such is the random and perpetually changing nature of the rumours surrounding the club. The club has been linked with at least three managers and an endless list of players, whilst sources have quoted John W Henry as saying that there will be no major expenditure in January.
This might dismay many but it should come as little surprise to those who have seen Henry build the Boston Red Sox into a World Series Winning franchise. It must be said that he is not afraid to spend extravagantly, and despite being renowned for prudence, the Red Sox were second only to the New York Yankees in terms of their payroll in Major League Baseball during 2010, and their spending has increased in proportion to the Yankees as outlined below:-
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2008: Yankees – $209m; Red Sox $138m
2010: Yankees – $206m; Red Sox $163m
Henry intends to be a winner, and he will spend appropriately. However, he is neither Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan or Roman Abramovich. He will not spend millions on someone to warm the bench or be sent back to his original club on loan. He will however spend on players who share his vision for the football club and who want to be part of it.
Of course, supporters will have uncertainty until they understand what that vision is. Time is an enemy because the new owner will be expected, by many, to stabilise the club, return it to the Champions’ League and challenge for the Premier League in a single swoop. Realism is not the wont of the modern supporter, only success will do. The days of rebuilding a club in the way that Shanks and, I hate to admit, Ferguson did, are representative of a romantically bygone era compared to the commercial contemporary footballing world in which we now live.
It explains the most recent rumours surrounding the futures of Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina, with the claims that they have clauses in their contracts allowing them to leave in January, which both intend to exercise. I regard such hearsay with a pinch of salt, but little surprises me in football these days. However, I quote Reina, albeit back in March 2010:
‘I want them (his kids) to speak English as well as Spanish and if it turns out to be with a Scouse accent, I will still be proud of them! From a professional point of view, Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world. Whether we are in the Champions League or the Europa League, it is still Liverpool.’
There have, of course, been several players who have spoken of their love for a club only to walk through the exit the following week. On the flip-side, Mr Rooney started an auction but brought down the hammer before anyone had time to bid. The recurring theme is that we should not really listen to any footballers as an indication of their future plans because they literally have no idea themselves, and if their brain does not function at press conferences, their wallets certainly will in the aftermath at decision time.
My personal opinion is that both players will be at Liverpool Football Club in May. Both know that they would now be unable to play any Champions League football this season, and also that the process of settling into a new club in January can be destabilising. Whilst I suspect that the likes of Chelsea and the Manchester Clubs may try and test Liverpool’s resolve, they will also know that few mid-season transfers are overly successful.
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STELLA ARTOIS WORLD DRAUGHT MASTERS
let’s be real – if you were a talented young player that hasn’t quite proven himself on the biggest stage as yet, even if the financial package was comparable to that which you were offered elsewhere and with the fact that there is supposedly less competition at Liverpool than at other top clubs, would you really join Hodgson’s Liverpool??
In a few short months he has already succeeded in taking our first team’s age up considerably and only plays “inexperienced” players in meaningful games as a last resort. From what I’ve seen so far, it would look like career suicide for a talented youngster to entrust Hodgson with his career, and surely that will prevent Liverpool from moving forwards as we want to.
The opportunity is there right now to make a positive massive stride forwards with a proven manager, instead of playing it safe with a manager that will see the club maintain its ceiling of 3rd/4th place while preventing us from developing our youth adequately.
Jay, I agree. I hope that is what I alluded to when talking about the 3 names that can attract talent.
I still maintain that only an interim appointment should have been made after Rafa’s departure because Hodgson was, in my opinion, never likely to be the top choice of new ownership coming into the club.
You also make valid points about youth, although I also feel that to be an area where a new manager will have to make huge strides.
Cheers for the comment and feedback.
I ma a bit surprised. New owners are at club, they have seen how we are playing, what tactics wa are using (useless tactics) and still they are giving chance to Hodgson. They are saying they will invest in yuong talent and they cant see what Roy has done in last transf window.
perhaps the new owner did not understand this game, he thinks football are like baseball 🙁
day in day out…at d end of it all there’s jst one thing dt evre1’s sayin…ew manager new manager NEW MANAGAER..HODSON NEEDS TO LEAVE..ND BY GOD, HE DOES..