Calderon - Contract Extension

[severnside gull]

I would love to see him get a deal as a player/coach working towards his badges while covering for a youngster from the bench. You would hope it would be the start of a long term future with the club as a coach and motivator for the first team and the DS.

For this season Calde does just (and probably only because I love the guy) enough for me to justify a place although his positioning defensively is awful sometimes. Bruno is in my view a better midfielder and could just be a revelation if played more centrally.
In fairness when the last batch of deals were done (or in KLL's case started) Bruno was the starting right back with Calde a bit part player and SAMI was the manager. Add it to his pantheon of errors but it would have been Sami's final say who was and wasn't offered a contract extension and we have all moaned hard enough about managers being allowed to manage so have no right to complain when it happened.
Under Nathan and now under Hughton, Calde is once again to the fore and hopefully he will earn a deal.
But we do have to be careful between balancing experience and risking an ageing and potentially injury-prone squad.

 

[Hotchilidog]

If he wants regular first team football then I fear he may have to find it elsewhere. I would like him to stay on as a squad member and as others have said get involved in the coaching if he would be ok with that. Sadly full back is one area of the team we should look to be strengthening in the summer.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

It was a shock that Bruno got one and Calderon didn't. Calderon should be the one to back up a new younger right back not fancy dan Mr Liability.

It's no coincidence that a good run of form includes him in the team.

 

[Frutos]

I would quite happily give him one.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Bruno is in my view a better midfielder and could just be a revelation if played more centrally.

Did you see him at Charlton? He was awful.

 

[Betfair Bozo]

He should definitely be retained and ideally with a view to involving him in the coaching set up. But even just from a playing perspective he can cover both full back positions and central defence. We'll never need him to do so? Ok, remember Derby in the second leg of the play off? Greer off, Chicksen on and Stephen Ward in central defence. Defenders are always going to pick up suspensions anyway, a completely reliable one hundred percenter who can cover the back line is hugely beneficial.

 

[severnside gull]

Did you see him at Charlton? He was awful.

In fairness he came on late with orders to keep the ball away from the defence rather than to try to be creative. It wasn't the time to "do a JFC/Gardner" and give the ball away! But you're right, it wasn't pretty

 

[severnside gull]

Just to add to the debate, my memory of Hughton from Birmingham who I see a lot, Newcastle and Norwich is that he tends to play with one advanced fullback while the other sits back most of the time to give a solid defensive three when his team goes forward. In midfield the attacking full back is balanced by a more defensive midfielder (Halford at Brentford for example coming on to cover and prevent Odubajo getting forward at will) while the fullback the other side allows the midfield in front of him to get forward. Our current style of two marauding full backs must be painful for CH to have to use but while we have Bennett on the left who must be covered, neither Calde (especially) or Bruno are ideally suited to a more restrained role. That's why I am convinced we will get a more traditional defence minded player in and why Bruno already having a deal off Sami puts Calde's future at risk.

 

[Superphil]

I think with better coaching (management) Calde could play for a couple more years. Hyypia didn't have a clue, hopefully Hughton will identify where his strengths are and play to them, whilst providing suitable support around him, teamwork and all that. We're never going to have a squad of worldbeaters, players like Calderon are needed in the mix.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I would quite happily give him one.

Misandrist

 

[JBizzle]

Yes, he is a super ambassador for the club, and doubtless nice to his mum etc, but the point is surely -will he be up to it on the pitch. If you are convinced that he can go another year playing regularly, then fine, but if we award him a contract extension, because he is a jolly good chap, who will always turn up etc, then this is more questionable. There may be a role for him at the club in the future, which would please everyone, I am sure. But football is a business (yes, I know!!) and as with any other venture, you would wish to see a return for your money. No one would want their child to be taught by someone who was not quite up to it, but still on the school staff, because they are the life and soul of the staffroom.

Although I agree to a degree. Although playing ability and on-the-pitch contribution should be first and foremost in the minds of the decision makers, I don't think it can be overstated how much he brings to the Albion in terms of influence. ALthough some belioeve Bruno to be a better footballer, we lose something when Calde isn't in the squad in terms of genuine passion.

If he starts, he's always talking, encouraging, and cajoling the team onwards. If he's on the bench, he's doing the same but also giving out tactical advice and instructions. His ability may not improve the team, but his presence does and I fundamentally believe an extension is best for one year, even if we sign a new right back.

 

[TonyW]

Coaching staff maybe, but we need better at RB. Harsh but true

Sad, but have to agree.

 

[skipper734]

I hope the person that decided Kemy's worth to the Club is not having input into Calde's contract.

 

[TonyW]

Yes, he is a super ambassador for the club, and doubtless nice to his mum etc, but the point is surely -will he be up to it on the pitch. If you are convinced that he can go another year playing regularly, then fine, but if we award him a contract extension, because he is a jolly good chap, who will always turn up etc, then this is more questionable. There may be a role for him at the club in the future, which would please everyone, I am sure. But football is a business (yes, I know!!) and as with any other venture, you would wish to see a return for your money. No one would want their child to be taught by someone who was not quite up to it, but still on the school staff, because they are the life and soul of the staffroom.

What a rather excellent post

 

[The Brighton Buzz]

100%

Give him a final year and then offer him a coaching role with the youth/development squad with a view to a senior coaching position in the future.

Retire the shirt at the end of his final season.

With the under 21 job coming up I would like to see Simon Rusk promoted from Under 18's and Calde go with him as assistant in the under 21's. First step into management.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

he should be given a SEVENTY YEAR contract

 

[Brian Fantana]

he should be given a SEVENTY YEAR contract

That would only take him to the age of 103. I think he's got even more longevity than that.

 

[StonehamPark]

he should be given a SEVENTY YEAR contract

Just enough time to help get us back into the Championship Play-Off spots then!

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

There are often posts about football losing its soul, with decisions made solely on a financial basis, sentimentality be damned. There are posts within this thread that typify that view, which is understandable as it's a fairly divisive subject.

To let Calde go may be indeed be the correct thing to do in terms of both book balancing and shaping a 'better' squad, but that doesn't mean it's still the right choice. He's clearly the club cult figure, runs himself into the ground when playing and seemingly jumps at the chance to help in the community whenever possible.

It's possibly wrong to point to him as representing the 'soul' of the club but his attitude is very much the kind that many wish was more (overtly) prevalent in football.

Essentially, give him a contract until he retires, then give him a new one doing whatever suits him best. If even half of his work ethic is passed on to a younger generation in that time then it will have been money well spent.

 

[stss30]

Offer him a contract on reduced wages for me. I would imagine he's very much like Ankergren in that his playing days at this level are coming to an end, but he's great to have round in the dressing room. He also does great work for AITC... However, if he wants to continue playing first team football regularly I think it's time to move on.