The other day I read an article about how unfortunate Brendan Rodgers was to be let down by FSG not backing him with money for a new striker. He worked so hard to lose high-earners and was never rewarded with a forward he wanted for that.
Originally, I felt that author was all critical and blaming about FSG, accusing them of a lack of commitment to the club, which I believe to be wrong after John Henry and Tom Werner saved the club just two years ago. But no, he finished by blaming King Kenny and Damien Comolli for it!
The point of his, was that they spent too much money on players who were overpriced and this summer FSG had no intentions of doing that again and Brendan Rodgers was just an unfortunate victim of previous regime’s mistakes. I found that totally ridiculous.
First of all let’s take King Kenny out of the equation. The manager doesn’t negotiate a fee, he just points out the players he’d like to work with. So that leaves us with Damien Comolli as an “overspender”. There’s a popular misunderstanding that Liverpool have spent more than 100 mil over Comolli’s time at the club. Which is correct if you count only expenditures. But in football, as in any business, the only important sum is net total. Which leads to an interesting figure.
A total of 9 players came to LFC (including free agents Doni and Bellamy) for approximately 115 million pounds. Which is a lot of money but let’s look at players who left. Some 20 players left Liverpool during the same period for a total of approximately 80 million pounds. Which means that total net spending was 35 million pounds over three transfer windows; roughly 11.5 mil per window. I’m not an economist but is that a miscalculated overspending?
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The players signed got a lot of stick from fans and media for huge price-tags, but they didn’t set them. And they, along with King Kenny, delivered two Cup Finals and the first trophy for six years. Man City spent over half a billion to get their first trophy – now that’s overspending. Not 11.5 million per window.
Now let’s look at BR’s transfer work. Five players came in: Fabio Borini 11.5 mil, Joe Allen 15 mil, Oussama Assaidi 2.5 mil, Nuri Sahin on loan with a fee reported to be 4 mil and Samed Yesil for 1 million. Total spending of 34 million on new players. And 9 players left: Aurelio, Rodriguez, Bellamy, Ecclestone all on free transfers, and Charlie Adam 4 mil, Aquilani from 2 to 6 mil (according to different reports), Dirk Kuyt left for 0.6 mil, Andy Carroll went to West Ham on loan for a fee of a million and Jay Spearing to Bolton for about half a million loan fee. Which leads to 8-12 million pounds total income, and a net spending of 22-26 million pounds.
So maybe before blaming Comolli for anything one should look at this summer’s work. 25 million net spend, a total of two strikers in the club and the worst start for a number of years. Comolli doesn’t seem so bad, does he?
There’s one classic quote that perfectly describes FSG. And to their credit they follow it in every way:
‘At a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.’ – Bill Shankly.
You are absolutely correct regrading transfer fees. But think about the wages as well. Under Rodgers, we have decreased the wages by £500k/wk (£25mil per year) That is HUGE
For the last 5 years we have offered decent players too high wages (Downing – £60k/wk) Doni (£40k/wk) Carroll – £70k/wk) And when they are also on long term contracts, it is difficult to get rid of them as they won’t take pay cuts.
We have overspent on players. As a fan, and as someone not working for LFC, it is hard to determine whose fault this is
AZ
Well said, az! You beat me to it. Net spend or gross spend are pointless without wages included into the equation. On the other hand, perhaps then, you also have to consider commercial appeal of a player such as shirt sales etc…
This article doesn’t cover wages. I’d be grateful if you could cover wages in ‘net spend’, for no reason other than it providing the clearest picture. I believe Joe Cole gets £6m/yr of ‘our’ money for flogging his log, for instance.
Cheers.
Comoli was crap at us and Spurs.
Agree.
A lot of good points here BUT!!, where ever the money came from, 35 million was still spent on a player that simply wasn’t worth it and another 20 million was spent on a 28 year old who most certainly wasn’t worth it! and we won’t mention the 16 million. Either way, money was wasted.
81 million worth of crap. Sua is not quiete there, but for a striker, his finishing is crap
This article is the biggest piece of garbage I have EVER read, you are giving credit to comolli for selling players others bought. The net spend is directly related to comolli as none of his signings could be sold. All you have done with this article is highlight your serious lack of intelligence.
Over 100 million spent on poor players. These players would probably be worth only half that now.
So along with your net spend of 35million add a loss of 50 million in one financial year on the players bought. That is lunacy.
85 million approx up the spout in one season. I know who to blame for that and its not just comolli,kenny has to take some responsibility for it as well
Greetings to every one!
Fantastic to read all of your comments, great points as well. Would like to add something and ask a couple of questions.
First of all, wages. During 2011-12 season 9 players that came in earned appr 600.000£ a week. 20 players that left permanently earned 700.000£ plus Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani with about 150.000£ as well. Need a calculator? 🙂
The argument “is that player or another worth the money?” is pointless. So is the “sell-on value” one. LFC is big enough club not to buy for later reselling.
And a question to all:
How come “poor” players delivered first trophy in six years? Something that guys like Torres and Mascherano failed to do.
Looking forward to hearing from you.