yes, my friend they certainly do
yes, I think many people had a little bit of sick in their mouths listening to that bollox
I have also noticed that a fair few of the big name high profile players that have gone there are icons in the Muslim community. Benzema, Mahrez, Koulibaly all devout Muslims. I wonder if there is any factor in that to enhance local interest in the Middle East even further and help to increase attendances etc and really get it going. Or whether simply they feel players are more willing to go (for the right price as well of course) if they are also of the religion of the country as they will embrace the culture more easily.
Unfortunately he would need to spend half of his wages on sun creamSteve Sidwell: “You see established managers and coaches going there now – Michael Emenalo, who was the technical director at Chelsea, looks like he’s going to be fronting the Saudi Pro League. You can see that there’s a process and a plan, there’s longevity in this. If I was playing, I’d go there in a heartbeat – not so much if I was in the early or middle stages of my career, but those who go at the end of their career, you can’t blame them. If they start getting top talent and top youngsters there as well, then I’m all for it.”
'In a heartbeat' - Ex-Chelsea and Brighton ace makes Saudi Arabia claim amid Jordan Henderson transfer
Former Brighton and Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell admits he would have made the move to the Saudi Pro League.uk.news.yahoo.com
I, like you, am 0-6 on your questions.
As I understand it, the Chinese League was very different. China, for a while, thought encouraging football would be a good idea but the finances weren’t piled in by the state. The authorities quickly lost their enthusiasm when they saw how much money was pouring out of the country for no meaningful return. Four of the Saudi clubs are fully backed by a state with unlimited resources and a deep desire to whitewash its overseas image. Money is no object. Even so, they’re centralising the transfer process to keep the transfer fees reasonable (by their mad standards). It’s not a half-arsed approach like China. It’s an organised, concerted effort on multiple fronts to make Saudi Arabia the hub of the sporting world and attach their name to something the whole world finds enjoyable, rather than rely on the more niche appeal of bigotry and chopping up journalists.
Imagine the zillions they would need to buy up the many many players they would need to make this anywhere near a decent league. I believe everyone/country have a limit. I'd like to see FIFA ban the sale of any player to the Saudi league. Its truly amazing how a country run by a killer is able to carry on like this. Buying up Newcastle etc etc.
Allan Saint-Maximin is also 26, although that deal looks somewhat suspect.
They’ve got the zillions. That’s the problem.
Still expecting him to go ‘on loan’ to the barcodes, either in this window or in January.
The second part of this is spot on. But there is enough money sloshing around to make sure this isn't discussed as often as it should be by people who are paid to do something about it.
Missing the point I think. It's not will the league survive, it's the amount of money flowing in to selected clubs (via purchases at inflated prices and potential loans) that is skewing other leagues and making ffp controls redundant. China and MLS never did this.
