27 Jul 2016 16:34:09
Have said it before but it does seem pointless putting in big bids against teams with Eropean footie or with a recent success in Europe, which we hae none. The players in mind might be quality n we can now afford them but they just aren't going to chose us over the other teams. Its obvious really.
27 Jul 2016 16:41:31
Cos a footballer has never been greedy for more money?
27 Jul 2016 16:54:20
Not at those prices no need to be. See Chelsea have now bid £38mil for Koubily, and bidding same as us for Carvalho. Its no contest really is it? however much we are a bigger club historically, the European thing and they have Italy's last Manager leaves it obvious who the player will chose. Need to leave it to Walsh to come up with players like Idrssa G at Villa, at £7.2mil. Its where were at until we can get into Europe, its a fact sadly.
27 Jul 2016 16:55:33
Well I have to agree with Howie on this one. now then. let's list players who signed for a none European involved club when a European one also bid for them. or even let's list the ones who have signed for us this window. Even the Stoke guy is saying he would rather stay at Stoke. Money does talk. I get your point Kingo, but when everything else is equal, footballers want medals and success. When a Euro team bids, they can offer bonuses for winning more trophies that we can. They can usually list other players already joining them. as in all the top 6 English clubs have already made some big signings and us? Kingo, I wish you were right mate but the proof is in the pudding. I think we will need all Steve Walshes skills to unearth gems mate.
27 Jul 2016 17:01:17
Money is a massive part. However playing time and ambitions also plays a part. Granted we can't offer european football yet. But if we can sell the ambition of european football whilst offering a competative wage most bench warmers would be willing to sign. Its just a case of identifying what we need and who fits the bill. there's plenty of bench warmers at bigger clubs that would improve our starting 11 so no need to worry. Personally i'm not 2 bothered wether we get a marquee signing as long as the squad is competative and wins that will be enough for me.
27 Jul 2016 17:16:00
Can some one please remind me which European competition Chelsea are in this season?
27 Jul 2016 17:48:36
That my point. Agree or not, we are at the same level as Chelsea this season (all be it not in London) . This won't happen, but if we went for 11 players and offered them a couple of million more than anyone else, success should follow. Pelle, relatively unknown before Southampton. European football. Leaves. 6th highest paid player in the world. Not because of his love for Chinese Chow Mein. Conte not a HUGE name. Koeman perhaps more well known. At least not light years apart. Although I agree we got to play catch up after our 2 seasons of 11th place.
27 Jul 2016 18:13:41
Answered urself there. If u read my original post it says recent European Comps also quality players. If we go the Walsh route like Pelle were ok, but if you go for known quality, £30mil plus, were not going to compete with your Chelseas Man Utd, dare i say it RS, because they have the Recent Euro credentials.
27 Jul 2016 17:37:06
sa90 that is not what the poster said, he/ she said that any player would choose another Club that had shown recent form in Europe or regularly got there over us. Chelsea falls into that category, those type of players would also not suffer financially because sadly even with Mr Moshri's money we are still low down in the pecking order financially speaking.
27 Jul 2016 17:38:44
Degsy so far this summer the signings involving Premier League clubs where they have moved from clubs in Europe to those not in Europe:
Kante Leicester - Chelsea
Tomkins West Ham - Palace
Mane Southampton - Liverpool
Karius Mainz - Liverpool
Fischer Ajax - Middlesbrough
van der Hoorn Ajax - Swansea
Kabasele Genk - Watford
Ronald Koeman Southampton - Everton
And those moving from Champo league teams to Europa League teams:
Bailly Villarreal - Man Utd
Mkhitaryan Dortmund - Man Utd
Ibrahimovic PSG - Man Utd
Hojbjerg Bayern - Southampton
It's impossible to say how many of these were wanted by clubs in Europe but I would be willing to bet that most had interest elsewhere. I agree that Europe makes a big difference, but it is simplistic to say it is the primary focus of players. And the above shows that there are quality players available despite us not being in Europe.
I actually think one of our biggest difficulties is against London sides as many foreign players are attracted to the draw of the capital. But signings will happen, just keep the patience.
27 Jul 2016 18:57:13
Just read that Man City are in talks with us for Stones at around 50 million. Will be interested to see why he is going to Man City. I am sure he will tell us.
27 Jul 2016 18:57:26
Your missing the point i made. Given the choice of us or other teams with recent Euro history credentials they would not chose us, as your list shows.
27 Jul 2016 19:07:17
The agents do play one club off against the other in order to obtain the best deal for their player. but when all other things are equal. the player willchoose a Euro team most times. as all the signings to date show. And to think we can outbid Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool etc is naive. Maybe if we were in a 1:1 fight for a player with Leicester, we might have a chance. but then again, they may be able to afford a bit too now.
28 Jul 2016 05:25:47
Let Chelsea pay near on £40m for a player who has only played in a very poor league that is so slow you have to check you haven't pressed live pause! England and Italy are 2 totally different leagues. I for one wouldn't want us to gamble that amount of money at all.