<Gonna do this on my own...>

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Where has the spirit of loyalty now in the modern football world?
Has MONEY pushed that aside now?

Shaun Wright Phillips, Man.City player in May, said he would like to extend his contract at the club by another 5 years.
Later in July, he becomes the latest signing of Chelsea. He said that he was happy to be at Chelsea.

Abit of backgrd info, a russian oil tycoon bought over the club 2 years ago and settled all of the club's debt. With his vast amount of wealth, Chelsea has now invested over 120 million over players from all over Europe. This is what makes my blood boil everytime Chelsea signs a player.

Sure, Chelsea have all the money in the world, probably a stash full of them in that russian's car boot. They have the expenses to go get their player. BUT the thing is...
why are players SO EASILY TEMPTED by the money splashed out on them??

Surely they can see that all Chelsea want to do is buy every best player there is and put a 'not for sale' tag on them. If there's a new rising talent, u can bet ur money that Chelsea are linked with them. Its always their name appearing in the tabloids every now and then.

And then there's the player's loyalty to their club. Having to earn more wages a week is like a dream come true, but to me, I think loyalty is much more precious than these notes. It takes that extra strength to consider what the club has done for you. Players born and bred, saying that they will end their career at the club, eventually go on to other clubs. Fans in england in particularly CANNOT stand that.

I, of course, cant say anything if the player feels he can reach his potential by playing for bigger clubs. But, 3 of the best players in the world have been an example of 'giving in to cash'.

Zinedine Zidane (Zizou) - Juventus to Real Madrid
Luis Figo - Barcelona to Real Madrid
Ronaldo - Inter Milan to Real Madrid

Juventus, Barca and Inter Milan are some of the best clubs in the world. Real Madrid was no exception.
But Real Madrid had a very good history of winning many silverwares, more than these 3 clubs. Plus, they have some of the best players in the club. The offer is too good to refuse...

and ta-dah. they moved

The best case here is Ronaldo.
When he was playing for Inter, he suffered a career breaking injury when his knee gave him hell lots of problems. And all those times when he was recovering, he was receiving his MILLIONS of weekly wages.
And when he recovered, a transfer saga later, he was wearing the No. 9 white shirt of Madrid.

Stevie Gerrard is a wonder example. Liverpool need a player like him. I was so glad he stayed on at Liverpool and snub Chelsea. That's a player whom, I feel, all soccer players should look up to in this era. At 25, he's still got a bright future ahead of him. And he chose liverpool.

If Chelsea continue to monopolise thru their wealth, it would seriously tain the image of soccer. Even Man Utd didnt go all out to buy their players. Take Sir Alex's fledgings. Beckham, Neville, Butt, Scholes, Giggs... all those players. They were born and bred. This is a true example of how successful club can be. and not just by buying players.

and now,
that's my first rambling in months.