I don't think you would find anyone lauding them but you can't have it all ways. Fans demand every window to sign players indiscriminately, that comes with consequences to signing duds or players that plateau out, if they wanna protect their contract that the club gave them, that's up to them, that's why contracts exist.
Completely agree: it's well within their right. I'd even argue - against myself - that it was probably a more clever move for Fox than it is for Ndombele: his best years were behind him and I don't recall him as anything but a speed merchant. I don't even remember him as being that good of a dribbler; it was all about raw speed (although you didn't see as much football on television back then so I won't claim to be an expert).
However, you expect a certain mindset from a professional football player or any sportsman in general. You're supposed to be eager to show off what you're capable of or, at the very least, take more joy and pride from your work than the average office clerk. That's what, in my opinion, makes Fox's and Ndombele's attitude despicable. It's by no means illegal or illegitimate but it's so disappointing that calling it out at as despicable isn't too far a stretch - even if slightly harsh.
I think the biggest mistake we have made as a club is our issuing of contracts and the ironic nature of previous transfer windows in which we probably have tried to save a penny but ended up spending a pound to do it (Simon Jordan term for us). That means we have, as I've said elsewhere, stockpiled players on contracts that doesn't see them wanting to leave. Seems we have got alot better at it but are probably one last season away from those final ones to get rid....
It's a shame as it potentially stunts this season slightly, but I can see why players are sitting put, even if I don't agree with their own ambitions in doing so
Not necessarily the players. Clubs around europe know there are a load of pl clubs that need to shift players. The closer the end of the window gets the better the deals can be. Why make a move now? Deadline day will be a feeding frenzy. Probably a huge amount of loans with the parent clubs paying some of the wages.
Wages are the big issue nowadays.
£100k/week for a year is £5m
For a 5 year contract that's £25m
So if you sign someone for £25m and offer them that contract, it is a £50m outlay.
In terms of signing fees and sales fees you can easily break even across 20 players i.e. sometimes you buy high and sell low, other times you buy low and sell high, but it is the wages that eat you alive.
Imagine 5 unwanted players, all eating up £5m per year... that is painful.
It's not us making a mistake, it's the situation that has unfolded with the European market.I think the biggest mistake we have made as a club is our issuing of contracts and the ironic nature of previous transfer windows in which we probably have tried to save a penny but ended up spending a pound to do it (Simon Jordan term for us). That means we have, as I've said elsewhere, stockpiled players on contracts that doesn't see them wanting to leave. Seems we have got alot better at it but are probably one last season away from those final ones to get rid....
It's a shame as it potentially stunts this season slightly, but I can see why players are sitting put, even if I don't agree with their own ambitions in doing so
Of course, having more hits than flops will always help the situation. And that certainly looks like an area we have improved.I agree I think there are many factors at play. I just think we have contributed greatly to what's almost a perfect storm for a backlog of players.
Like I say though, we seem to be in a much more joined up thinking stage now, it's refreshing and exciting.
It's not us making a mistake, it's the situation that has unfolded with the European market.
Also we are unfortunately placed as a challenger/top 6 PL club. So there are not many upward moves for a player. Couple that with the wealth of the PL allowing us to attract players with decent wages that are then hard for them to give up or be matched by lower PL or European clubs that we'd want them to move to.
Offer him to Forest + some cash for Johnson.
I think that's what has been hinted at, offering players such as Sanchez, Spence etc. to get Johnson.
Spence probably couldn't oust Aurier from his RB position though!
They just signed another RB so Aurier could be in trouble already: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66600014
Maybe Spence would work as a direct replacement for Johnson on the right wing.
Real Sociedad close to a loan deal for Tierney according to The Athletic. If true, I don't think they will sign Reggie as well.
Yeah, what happened?Remember when he was sort of their best player. They used to rave about him