Joe Cole

[Tricky Dicky]

West Ham baffles me too, they were skint, they have been linked with loads of big money players, just signed someone for £4million, and have more players coming in on the way,

Didnt Joe Cole want to leave Chelsea because he wanted more than £85k a week and they told him to do one. Liverpool were mugs enough to pay it, and he obviously went for the money instead of Champions league football he would have got at Arsenal or possible Tottenham


We must be able to make an England "did it for teh wonga, instead of playing regularly/highest level possible" XI

I think that L'pool have used it as part of their effort to keep Gerrard (probably him more than Torres), as a sign of intent. In that respect, it is probably worth it to them (no xfer fee, after all). And it could possibly work, I am no big fan of JC at all (and I must confess to being a bit of a L'pool fan on the side), but I can imagine that if he plays to his potential he could fit into that team and do well.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I have always felt Joe Cole was one of the better and most consistent players at Chelsea, this is a great signing for Liverpool and is an "indication" of their ambitions, now they need to buy another big name to keep Gerrard and Torres.

 

[Mendoza]

I think that L'pool have used it as part of their effort to keep Gerrard (probably him more than Torres), as a sign of intent. In that respect, it is probably worth it to them (no xfer fee, after all). And it could possibly work, I am no big fan of JC at all (and I must confess to being a bit of a L'pool fan on the side), but I can imagine that if he plays to his potential he could fit into that team and do well.

I agree with you in that I believe he would fit in well, but if he wanted to be serious about playing football, maybe still playing for his country, surely he would have tested himself at the highest level. The highest level available was probably Arsenal, usually do better in Premier League than Liverpool and also are in the Champions League every year without fail.

Tottenham were the next best option, as they are in the Champions League also. Neither Arsenal or Tottenham would have paid £90k a week, so to me it looks like he has done what is best financially and gone for the money, instead of testing himself at the highest level.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I agree with you in that I believe he would fit in well, but if he wanted to be serious about playing football, maybe still playing for his country, surely he would have tested himself at the highest level. The highest level available was probably Arsenal, usually do better in Premier League than Liverpool and also are in the Champions League every year without fail.

Tottenham were the next best option, as they are in the Champions League also. Neither Arsenal or Tottenham would have paid £90k a week, so to me it looks like he has done what is best financially and gone for the money, instead of testing himself at the highest level.

Indeed.

As a pure aside - I have a feeling the Arse may struggle to get into the CL at the end of this season. City will undoutedly be one of the 4 this year.

 

[Acker79]

According to Jamie Redknapp Cole isn't on "anything near astronomical wages" at Liverpool

Right then Jamie; what exactly is astronomical in your mind if £90,000 a week isnt?

f***ing PLUM

But, in fairness, in terms of the premiership and reported wages, 90K isn't astronomical, is it?

It's only astronomical if you selectively compare it to minimum wage. But, if you include all the other ways of making money - Movie stars being paid £20m for a couple of months work, Elton John being paid 500K to play at a birthday party, then it isn't astronomical, especially when you factor in the limits of a football career. Elton John has songs older than Joe Cole, and his career isn't over yet. At 28, Cole will be lucky if he gets another ten years, and he won't be paid residuals for his matches airing on espn classics, or anytime someone copies his moves.

So, in fairness, saying his wages aren't astronomical isn't exactly being a plum.

 

[Simster]

So, in fairness, saying his wages aren't astronomical isn't exactly being a plum.

You dress it up however you like, but to me, £19million over four years does represent astronomical wages.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

90K isn't astronomical, is it?

.

Yeah, right.

 

[Mendoza]

Indeed.

As a pure aside - I have a feeling the Arse may struggle to get into the CL at the end of this season. City will undoutedly be one of the 4 this year.

If City didnt make it into the top 4, that would be the biggest fail of all, but I hope they dont as they have pretty much spent over £10 million on every single one of their starting 11.

At least Arsenal spend a bit less and play players know was heard of and turn them into brialliant players, although admittedly, 5 years without a trophy says alot

 

[Tricky Dicky]

If City didnt make it into the top 4, that would be the biggest fail of all, but I hope they dont as they have pretty much spent over £10 million on every single one of their starting 11.

At least Arsenal spend a bit less and play players know was heard of and turn them into brialliant players, although admittedly, 5 years without a trophy says alot

Something about Arsenal really grates with me and there's no real logic to it, so it's difficult to be objective, but they basically have one "world class" player, and he may be off to Spain shortly (although this is looking less likely by the day, I think he's realising that he may not be an automatic first choice at Barca). They have several decent players, and Wenger clearly has a good eye for emerging talent (and letting players go at the right time).

I don't feel they are moving "forward" though, whereas others are, and, as you say, nothing to show for the last 5 years - and no chance of the prem title this year methinks.

*apologies, have gone rather O/T in this thread*

 

[Pavilionaire]

There are so many uncertainties with Liverpool that it is impossible now to say whether or not it is a good deal. It's almost a case of HAVING to buy him or watch him go to Spurs or Arsenal and making rival teams stronger.

The stakes this season for Liverpool, City and Spurs are huge. If Liverpool don't break back into the Top 4 then they're in a mess unless they get sold swiftly to owners with REAL money.

And if a sale has been agreed then why would Yossi Benayoun move to Chelsea where he'll see much less action?

As well as Hicks and Gillette there's the Dalglish "looking over Hodgson's shoulder" situation, and I can see Torres turning into another Fabregas-type scenario.

The bottom line is Hodgson needs 2 or 3 defenders, otherwise they can forget Champions League places.

 

[Acker79]

You dress it up however you like, but to me, £19million over four years does represent astronomical wages.

But it's not dressing it up, is it? It's pointing out it's about context.

You are saying it's astronomical because you are comparing it with your own wages and those of your friends/line of work. Fair enough. That is your context.

But, Jamie Redknapp is only comparing with his wages and that of the people he knows in his line of work. That is his context. That doesn't make him a plum, does it?

 

[Pavilionaire]

You dress it up however you like, but to me, £19million over four years does represent astronomical wages.

Listening to Jamie Redknapp last night made me feel sick. "He's not on astronomical wages like the media are saying" - do me a favour!

What's he done in the last couple of years to justify a weekly salary of £100K? Given he's a London boy he'll be back to London all the time, so I expect the burglars of Merseyside will be licking their lips as we speak...

 

[sten_super]

But, Jamie Redknapp is only comparing with his wages and that of the people he knows in his line of work. That is his context. That doesn't make him a plum, does it?

Yes, yes it does. It's yet another example that footballers live in these glass houses, so shielded from the average supporter that they have lost all sense of perspective. Just because all of Jamie's mates are also ridiculously overpaid is not an excuse.

 

[Simster]

But it's not dressing it up, is it? It's pointing out it's about context.

You are saying it's astronomical because you are comparing it with your own wages and those of your friends/line of work. Fair enough. That is your context.

But, Jamie Redknapp is only comparing with his wages and that of the people he knows in his line of work. That is his context. That doesn't make him a plum, does it?

You what? There are over 3,000 professional footballers in this country, and countless more playing part time in the non-league.

How many of them will earn £19m in 4 years then?

 

[Acker79]

Yes, yes it does. It's yet another example that footballers live in these glass houses, so shielded from the average supporter that they have lost all sense of perspective. Just because all of Jamie's mates are also ridiculously overpaid is not an excuse.

So, because he happens to socialise with people in his own wage bracket he is sheltered and lost all sense of perspective.

What sort of wage range is in your social group? Hang out with a lot of millionaires? Hang out with top A-list actors earning 20m for 3months work? Spend a lot of time with Bill Gates, do you?

Somehow I doubt it. You're persective is just as narrow as his, his happens to be at a high wage band.

You what? There are over 3,000 professional footballers in this country, and countless more playing part time in the non-league.

How many of them will earn £19m in 4 years then?

What does the other 3000 professional footballers, most of whom are not in the premier league, and the amateurs have to do with it?

In the context of top teams in the premiership, which is where Joe Cole is plying his trade, which is where TV deals and expensive tickets bring in 100s of millions of pounds, it isn't astronomical. When others are over 100k a week, when teams are looking to entice players with promises of over 200K, 90k isn't astronomical. When spending 4.75m a year on a player who could bring you the extra 50m a year, it isn't astronomical.

This isn't dressing it up. This is looking at the market place, looking at the investment/reward, looking at the going rate at Liverpool's level (and where Liverpool want to be. Looking at it like that 90K a week is not astronomical.

 

[Mendoza]

In the context of top teams in the premiership, which is where Joe Cole is plying his trade, which is where TV deals and expensive tickets bring in 100s of millions of pounds, it isn't astronomical. When others are over 100k a week, when teams are looking to entice players with promises of over 200K, 90k isn't astronomical. When spending 4.75m a year on a player who could bring you the extra 50m a year, it isn't astronomical.

This isn't dressing it up. This is looking at the market place, looking at the investment/reward, looking at the going rate at Liverpool's level (and where Liverpool want to be. Looking at it like that 90K a week is not astronomical.

It is also someone that couldnt get into a RUBBISH England team because he was being kept out by Lennon, Wright Phillips and Milner who were toilet (well Milner played well once)

 

[matthew]

Arsenal didn't really need him anyway they have Arshavin, Rosicky, Wilshere, Nasri they need a Mascherano.

 

[Acker79]

It is also someone that couldnt get into a RUBBISH England team because he was being kept out by Lennon, Wright Phillips and Milner who were toilet (well Milner played well once)

It's also someone rated at £15m in transfer fees that liverpool didn't have to pay.

 

[matthew]

It's also someone rated at £15m in transfer fees that liverpool didn't have to pay.

Although they will pay £100,000 a weak, something Chelsea and Arsenal didn't want to do.

 

[sten_super]

So, because he happens to socialise with people in his own wage bracket he is sheltered and lost all sense of perspective.

What sort of wage range is in your social group? Hang out with a lot of millionaires? Hang out with top A-list actors earning 20m for 3months work? Spend a lot of time with Bill Gates, do you?

Somehow I doubt it. You're persective is just as narrow as his, his happens to be at a high wage band.

Dress it up however you want. According the 2009 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) the median weekly wage was £397.30, the mean was £480.9, and the 90th percentile was £874.40. Joe Cole is going to be earning over 100 times the earnings of someone (just) in the top 10% of earners in this country. Are you actually trying to defend someone who said his wages "weren't astronomical"?

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/ASHE-2009/2009_all_employees.pdf