What can you do though? No rules are being broken and it’s no different to the US in the 70s/80s when Pele, Peter Beardsley etc were bought in on big money to get their leagues going, what China tried to do in recent years etc.
On the flip side, he’s been able to get those plaudits by playing week in week for Brighton, not bench warming for Chelsea
The Saudi clubs, who are funded by the Saudi heads of state, who have billions of pounds worth of assets managed by Clearlake Capital, Clearlake Capital who purchased 60% of Chelsea.
Personally I think it ends with a Saudi funded ‘world super league’
LIV golf would suggest that is not the end. Swallowing up FIFA and buying all of football would be the step that follows.
They don't want to and perhaps Poch can win him over but they are likely to consider it if he refuses to sign a new contract
Unlikely, yes, but highly so? Remember we qualify by finishing top four OR by winning the Europa League.
Whilst I don't disagree with the basis of your point, and think it's a fair response to the post you're replying to, I think that the issue is less about players (who lets be honest are professionals being offered a lot of money) and more about the conflict of interests these Chelsea deals represent. For me these deals are more about the PIF/Chelsea circumventing FFP rules by using the league as an accountancy tool. We all knew that Chelsea had to sell to pass FFP and that originally looked like it would make quite an interesting and open buying market as consequence of their overspending. This allows them to bypass that consequence without issue making a mockery of FFP.
Frankly, that’s just bollocks. COVID showed that top level pro football without plentiful and passionate fans is nowhere near the ‘product’ required to sell its for €billions. How many teams are in the Saudi league? 8? 10? No history, no fans, nothing to try to qualify for, no one gives a shit. No chance it overtakes the EPL or any other major European league, IMO ever. Unless they’re going to fly in 100k fans each weekend? (I’m available for £50k a match BTW…..)
Too hot and dusty for me.
This. You can buy the world's best players, but you're not going to get anything like the interest of world-wide fans who support clubs with a history and rivalries with other clubs to match. It's basically going to be a series of exhibition matches.
Why thank you, that was kind.
Indeed. I was reading Swiss Ramble's very good post on FFP earlier, and this comment stood out:The Saudi clubs, who are funded by the Saudi heads of state, who have billions of pounds worth of assets managed by Clearlake Capital, Clearlake Capital who purchased 60% of Chelsea.
I’ll do it for £30k per week and be happy to have 3 close up camera shots of me looking ecstatic, sad, tense (depending on requirements) and will wear a half and half head scarf.
He brands himself as Mr ITK, but really the agents and clubs use him to leverage situations.
Indeed. Who is going to watch it ? Domestic football is all that actually matters and that includes the Albion’s Europa League sideshow. Personally I am more proud of our highest league finish than the EL. At the top level it is clear that a group of the super rich are looking to acquire the game but does it actually matter ? All they will have is an unwatched Saudi league and a handful of players and maybe even clubs from from each European country. That doesn’t impact at all on the match day football experience of the overwhelming majority of football fans. If players want to go then fine. If clubs want to go also fine.
