Getting into the top 4 would do that, but not getting to one of the lesser European competitions IMO.
I think you are probably right, the two players we sold this season wanted CL football. The Europa League is a bit Carabao Cup for top clubs
I know United fans who just dismissed it as a nothing cup in the days when they got into Europe
Would it put the brakes on us selling our gems every close season?
It's getting annoying, how can we stop it, maybe we can't?
There’s another to to look at it though IMO.
If we were to get to the Europa League, then for players who aren’t going to be first team regulars at a CL team may be inclined to stay here, be a regular starter and also experience some European games.
I realise that the top players (Biss, Cucu, Moises) will aspire for CL, but the Europa would be another big step forward.
It would be like comparing a relegation fighting team to a mid-table team - where would you rather be.
Would it put the brakes on us selling our gems every close season?
It's getting annoying, how can we stop it, maybe we can't?
No more Saturday games, and a Thursday night in Hajduk Split
Niiice.
We can't stop it, sadly. Every single player passing through just sees an Albion contract as a stepping stone to a Big Six Big Money gig. So Sanchez goes next. Then Mitoma.
So it goes. We only get to hang on to the so-so players. And flame me all you want, but you'll only be shooting the messenger
We can't stop it, sadly. Every single player passing through just sees an Albion contract as a stepping stone to a Big Six Big Money gig. So Sanchez goes next. Then Mitoma.
So it goes. We only get to hang on to the so-so players. And flame me all you want, but you'll only be shooting the messenger
IF we continue progressing, then what I think will happen is that the standard of players we attract to the club (either established names or potential stars) will improve and IF we qualify for the conference,Europa League then those players will start to stay. We can see this happening already with the latest recruit, a Europa League winner, CL Semi finalist choosing Brighton over other clubs. There is no way he would have joined 3 years ago, with us firmly entrenched in the lower part of the table, with relegation a real possibility.
We are never going to compete with the really big clubs, so players are always going to go when the big PL and European clubs come calling, however if there is a realistic chance of European competition players will stay rather than go to other higher but non CL clubs. The higher up the food chain we are, the bigger the attraction to stay will be
I think its easy to say we are just selling our best year on year but actually we arent, we have just been fortunate enough to have three undoubted world class players in a short space of time, before then when was the last player sold the club didnt want to go? Whilst the quality of the squad is undoubtedly improving, I think it unlikely we will see the same volume of these high level sales transfer window after transfer window, but even if we do, it would mean the club has replaced those with similar players .
We’ve probably got a more settled core in our playing squad than we’ve had in years. Shoot the messenger - you’re not even typing stuff that qualifies as a message!