I agree in principle with some of the points made by Jak Penny in his piece: ‘How far has the ruling changed our game for the worse?’ Yet I have to say I think the bigger problem has been the way footballers have been mollycoddled over the past decade or so and spoilt rotten in to thinking they’re the bees knees.
The problem persists from every angle which makes it so much worse to deal with. Players nowadays aren’t loyal to their clubs anymore, barring a few exceptions. Neither are they any more loyal to their fans beyond what they’re media trained to say.
It isn’t a coincidence that money started ruling players’ hearts immediately after the culture of agents took over the decision making processes on the negotiation tables. These agents would psych the players into thinking they deserve a lot more than the millions they are being paid because some other obnoxious haired show off gets paid so much more.
The agents are running after their own interests to ensure they make as much as possible from their client’s wages. Doesn’t take a genius to work out – the bigger the wages, the higher the commission.
The same agents would drop these players like flies. the moment they lose their touch and are clearly absolutely incapable of playing at the top most level. It’s all about business for these people, and yes I agree with how inappropriate this is, in the middle of a recession, for the common fans to have to hear about the whining woes of a player who apparently can’t make do with £80,000 a week.
These players want more, they always do. Why wouldn’t they? From the formative years, these people are treated as gods among their own circle for being on trial at a big club or something to that effect. If they manage to make it for a professional contract and are seen a few times on the television, then everyone wants a piece of them.
You can complain all you like about getting attention, but it feels great for people who receive it. That builds up the idea in their heads of how indispensable they are.
For someone like Wayne Rooney to bully his own club in to getting paid in excess of a £100,000 a week, just goes to show how arrogant he really is. Suppose it massages the wounds to know he isn’t alone in that.
But this wouldn’t ever have been the case if clubs hadn’t started giving in to the insane wage demands in the first place. If as a consequence they had to sell him, so be it. But they couldn’t, because it would have required all clubs to have taken a similar stance. Otherwise you’re just a fool to let go of your best player to a rival club or anyone else for that matter, who incidentally wouldn’t have issues with meeting the sky high wage demands.
This could’ve been avoided if FIFA had set a wage limit on every football club according to their earnings or something which would’ve created an absolute end of the line as far as wage demands go. But why should they? Football’s a business and like every other business, let’s squeeze it all out till it’s been bled dry.
Encasing Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, and indeed our own former hero Fernando Torres, whatever the underlying reasons were for leaving, they all went for massive wage rises as well.
Off the top of the head, Torres’ last pay packet was more than £100,000 a week at Liverpool, which turned in to £200,000 a week at Stamford Bridge. Now seeing that, Wayne Rooney’s agents would demand more every week, given he’s playing a lot better and scoring goals.
Wages have destroyed the part of football which used to put a smile with pride on the supporters when the team walked into the pitch.
Now you love a player today leaves you 2mrw for bigger payroll.
You wonder where the alan shearers, paulo maluidini, the juventas guy who stayed with the in times of trouble.
Players have destroyed the game where is the determination. You think about it everything which was there is lost. Teams are buyin success look at city madrid chelsea they are literally destroyin football. What happens to everton, newcastle guess what you don’t have the big bank account so you dont win anything and let the best players come for a bigger payroll.
I wish every player could be like the great alan shearer.
Fifa this is your call.
I remember watchin a documentary about an american team which beat an england team i think in 1950. There is an american player who scored the winning goal or the goal keeper was a part time dishwasher to make it a living. There is no great love for football like that 1. I can have a tean of that dish washers than a team of fernado torres
Players try to earn as much money possible in a 15 year career so they are financially secure for the rest of their lives.
Fans and loyalty isnt an issue.Family and wealth comes first and foremost.
Financial security pah…..pure greed imho i remember a time when rushie was on a reputed 2k a week @lfc then he moved to italy…..fair enough italy was a better league at that time think his wages doubled…..apply the same principal now…….insanity