[Albion] Kaoru Mitoma to Saudi Arabia. I know, I know...

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I said on a thread a couple of weeks ago this is the death of the premier league, once one or two start going, wooooosh they will all be tempted. I would not be surprised if in under two seasons, the premier league will be playing second fiddle, all leagues have their moments in the Sun, Italian, Spanish, ok maybe not Scotland but it’s a cycle.
The only way for the Saudi league to fail, is no one watches it, sadly despite what we think in Europe the rest of the world might just.

Disagree. Clubs with no history, no fans, playing in pokey stadia won't attract the worldwide masses whoever is playing for them.

And even if they do? Who cares? The current state of affairs, where Brighton can pick off players from Ajax, almost at will (although I like it) isn't exactly healthy.

 

[albionalex]

We really need to be getting him on a longer contract

It's not really in his best interest to sign one.

 

[Van Cleef]

I can see why. Marketing wise the Saudis would capture a huge audience with this and makes sense in a lot of ways. I’m sure Kauru has the sense to turn it down mind.

I'm sure he will (turn it down). For players, I guess career moves will always be a balance between the family being happy/settled, the chance of winning something tangible and money of course. Saudi is only giving you 1 of these. Hopefully just the past it money grabbers will go there - Ronaldo types.

 

[Oh_aye]

Disagree. Clubs with no history, no fans, playing in pokey stadia won't attract the worldwide masses whoever is playing for them.

And even if they do? Who cares? The current state of affairs, where Brighton can pick off players from Ajax, almost at will (although I like it) isn't exactly healthy.

That's true actually. And also we've got a player like Caicedo and the likes of Barcelona, Bayern, Atletico, Milan and Juve couldn't afford him. But the 12th placed premiership team can and he'd happily go there.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

I said on a thread a couple of weeks ago this is the death of the premier league, once one or two start going, wooooosh they will all be tempted. I would not be surprised if in under two seasons, the premier league will be playing second fiddle, all leagues have their moments in the Sun, Italian, Spanish, ok maybe not Scotland but it’s a cycle.
The only way for the Saudi league to fail, is no one watches it, sadly despite what we think in Europe the rest of the world might just.

You could have said that about the Chinese Super League a few season ago and that died on its arse. Players might be tempted by the money but fans won’t be. The traditional big leagues England, Italy and Spain etc will still be watched.

The other problem these money leagues have is that with the exception of about 3 players (Rondaldo, Messi and Mbappe) no other player has enough of a draw to take fans with them. No one is watching Saudi Arabian football just because Benzema is playing there as good as he is.

 

[Normal Rob]

Bucketloads of cash can tempt people to do funny things though, I suppose.

I'm struggling to come to terms with a Premier league salary not being the bucket loads of cash option...

 

[DJ NOBO]

I said on a thread a couple of weeks ago this is the death of the premier league, once one or two start going, wooooosh they will all be tempted. I would not be surprised if in under two seasons, the premier league will be playing second fiddle, all leagues have their moments in the Sun, Italian, Spanish, ok maybe not Scotland but it’s a cycle.
The only way for the Saudi league to fail, is no one watches it, sadly despite what we think in Europe the rest of the world might just.

Agree it’s cyclical and prem has had a good run.
There’s no major football history or culture in Saudi though . Even if they get world class players in that will always be a stumbling block in getting fans to invest in teams .
It is concerning though how in a matter of months it’s gone from ageing stars like Ronaldo to early 30s like kante and zaha to new talent. If Kane didn’t have family considerations he would probably go

 

[US Seagull]

I'm hoping (maybe naively) that since Kaoru reportedly turned down the chance to go pro at 18 because he didn't feel he was ready and that it wouldn't be good for his career long-term, that he'll continue to take the same kind of long-term thinking and recognize this as a bad move. He'll make a lot of money in the short-term, but risks being forgotten when the Saudi league experiment ultimately collapses just like the Chinese Super League before it.

 

[Icy Gull]

Whatever Mitoma wants there is no way I see TB endorsing this, but then I rolled my eyes and laughed at the rumour that Virgo was on his way to Celtic

 

[nicko31]

Aramco + £100m will seal it

 

[The Fits]

I reckon if you ranked players likelihood of joining that league in their prime Mitoma would be VERY far down. Suspect he has a very firm plan- get his head down here and eventually get that big move to one of the very 'biggest' boys.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Whether there is anything in this or not, I'd be very surprised if Mitoma had any real interest in heading to a footballing backwater after his breakout season and elevation to footballing stardom.

Bucketloads of cash can tempt people to do funny things though, I suppose.

I think we're way beyond that. I would say that PL players are (pretty much to a man) on bucketloads of cash. Even a player earning, say, £20k a week is hardly going to be struggling to pay the bills (if they are sensible). That's still more than a LOT os people earn in a year. (Yes, I know it's all relative, but there comes a point where it all becomes a bit silly). Saudi money takes it to the extreme – I'd say swimming pools of cash (possibly literally) is more appropriate.

And this is my issue: how much money do these players NEED. Hundreds of thousands of pounds a WEEK. And that's EVERY week! I can't help feeling we've become too accustomed to how much money that is!

 

[American Seagle]

I suppose the Saudi "league" is a good way to mark our cards on players. I know money is of course a big consideration for players and understandably so, but for any player who goes to Saudi, money is the ONLY priority.

I think it is naive to think any transfer is not only about the money. Just at the moment they can make faux statements about competing in the "best" teams or for an "old historic club" or "Chelsea". It's all a fake facade on "I wanted the money".

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

It's a bit of a shame when De Zerbi hinted at that new contract it was presumably nothing but a little joke.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

All studies point in the direction, that the single main motivator for people with wealth and power, is to accumulate more wealth and power than their peers.

Any practical usage for the amount of money you'll get stops, when you've played in the PL for a season or two

 

[Silverhatch]

Tony to get his entire BHA investment back in one window

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Don't think we could turn down anything north of 100m for Mitoma. Doubt he would go though.

 

[GT49er]

I think we're way beyond that. I would say that PL players are (pretty much to a man) on bucketloads of cash. Even a player earning, say, £20k a week is hardly going to be struggling to pay the bills (if they are sensible). That's still more than a LOT os people earn in a year. (Yes, I know it's all relative, but there comes a point where it all becomes a bit silly). Saudi money takes it to the extreme – I'd say swimming pools of cash (possibly literally) is more appropriate.

And this is my issue: how much money do these players NEED. Hundreds of thousands of pounds a WEEK. And that's EVERY week! I can't help feeling we've become too accustomed to how much money that is!

It's an addiction really, I think. Someone on £100K a week feels desperate for £200K a week - same as taking Heroin once or twice a week can quickly become a need for it once or twice a day.

 

[Van Cleef]

I think we're way beyond that. I would say that PL players are (pretty much to a man) on bucketloads of cash. Even a player earning, say, £20k a week is hardly going to be struggling to pay the bills (if they are sensible). That's still more than a LOT os people earn in a year. (Yes, I know it's all relative, but there comes a point where it all becomes a bit silly). Saudi money takes it to the extreme – I'd say swimming pools of cash (possibly literally) is more appropriate.

And this is my issue: how much money do these players NEED. Hundreds of thousands of pounds a WEEK. And that's EVERY week! I can't help feeling we've become too accustomed to how much money that is!

I think it's a measure of the man (I'm looking at you Ronaldo). Players at the top have more money than they will ever need. All the family members and close friends have been looked after, yet for some players money is the only factor for them. Ronaldo could have gone to a team in italy or spain, maybe won another cup, but finish his career playing at the highest level possible and still on fantastic wages. How much more money does he want? Even Messi was diddling his taxes ffs.

 

[um bongo molongo]

If I was his agent and trying to negotiate a new contract, this is exactly the sort of thing I might leak…?