2017/2018 THE Premier League Thread

[d_phaneuf]

I saw today that the last numbers that came out, United were last in the league at spending percentage based on their revenue at 44%

Even outside the PL, Barca is at 97%

Criticizing their spending or wages is hilarious, they are probably right there with Arsenal and Spurs in terms of spending within their means compared to the rest of the big clubs, the fact that they earn more money than anyone else shouldn't be a negative

[devo22]

also you have to consider that many of those "omg look at the Sanchez wages wow" articles are coming from journalists who are close to other teams. Take the Telegraph article for example, that one's from Matt Law - who is known to be extremely close to Chelsea and who was incredibly butthurt in the summer when Lukaku went to United instead of Chelsea. City are also busy putting their spin out there.

Bottom line is that United are swapping Mkhitaryan for Sanchez in a straight deal without any transfer fees. That's outstanding business, and the saltiness coming from other teams and journalists makes it only sweeter. The only way that this week can become any better is when the De Gea rumours of an imminent contract extension become reality.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by devo22

also you have to consider that many of those "omg look at the Sanchez wages wow" articles are coming from journalists who are close to other teams. Take the Telegraph article for example, that one's from Matt Law - who is known to be extremely close to Chelsea and who was incredibly butthurt in the summer when Lukaku went to United instead of Chelsea. City are also busy putting their spin out there.

Bottom line is that United are swapping Mkhitaryan for Sanchez in a straight deal without any transfer fees. That's outstanding business, and the saltiness coming from other teams and journalists makes it only sweeter. The only way that this week can become any better is when the De Gea rumours of an imminent contract extension become reality.

I'm not salty at all, and frankly I'm thrilled to see Sanchez leaving. Sure, he has his issues, but he was the best player they had!

And it's not a question of whether they can afford it, or how much money they make (which is a slippery slope when the other Manchester club manages to get advertising revenue to make sure that the numbers work). It's a huge wage. It will definitely increase expectations of players and agents alike in future dealings.

[devo22]

it is if you take the 500k/week as gospel ... which you shouldn't. Like I said, there's certainly motivation among certain clubs right now to paint Sanchez as a greedy mercenary and United as crazy for paying a lot of money.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

also you have to consider that many of those "omg look at the Sanchez wages wow" articles are coming from journalists who are close to other teams. Take the Telegraph article for example, that one's from Matt Law - who is known to be extremely close to Chelsea and who was incredibly butthurt in the summer when Lukaku went to United instead of Chelsea. City are also busy putting their spin out there.

Bottom line is that United are swapping Mkhitaryan for Sanchez in a straight deal without any transfer fees. That's outstanding business, and the saltiness coming from other teams and journalists makes it only sweeter. The only way that this week can become any better is when the De Gea rumours of an imminent contract extension become reality.

Just because theres no transfer fees doesnt make it 'outstanding business' from any side other than Sanchez's.

Obviously, despite his lack of transfer fee, his wages are going to effect the structure at the club and in some capacity set a precedent for the League, as all wage negotiations and transfers do.

Hes going to be one of the top-paid players in the world. Is he worth it? I have my doubts but only time will tell.

Honestly though, I would want a player paid that much to be someone absolutely world class, for those wages his name should be spoken in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi. Is he? I dont think so, at least not at the moment.

Maybe he'll figure it out, but at 29 his resume doesnt mirror theirs.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sanchez is definitely being overpaid, but in today's market you'll be overpaying either in the fee or the wages. This just underscores what exceptional value guys like Salah and Jesus are costing under £35 million. At this point De Bruyne for £55 million even looks like a steal. Right now they probably wouldn't take less than £175 million if someone else wanted him.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Sanchez is definitely being overpaid, but in today's market you'll be overpaying either in the fee or the wages. This just underscores what exceptional value guys like Salah and Jesus are costing under £35 million. At this point De Bruyne for £55 million even looks like a steal. Right now they probably wouldn't take less than £175 million if someone else wanted him.

See, I try and do this as often as a I can but I have a really hard time.

From an NHL perspective this kind of thing is supremely important, but from a footy perspective its much, much less so. It becomes important from a 'Team Wage Structure' perspective and then it cascades down a bit from there.

But as a fan from afar it isnt my money. I balked at the Salah fee, I was stunned at the VVD fee, but it isnt my money. All I (should) care about is the team doing well, but then you run into scenarios like we have right now where some teams simply outspend others and buy titles and success.

But in an environment where there are no checks and balances can you as a fan care about the cash?

Its a tough question. I mean, I pay for the TV channels but I dont buy seasons tickets or anything. The personal effect to me of lavish spending is pretty insignificant.

Its frustrating when your rivals outspend you and ergo succeed more but thats just the landscape of the game as it is right now.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Just because theres no transfer fees doesnt make it 'outstanding business' from any side other than Sanchez's.

yes it absolutely is outstanding business from Uniteds point of view. You get an exceptional player who knows the league, isn't cup-tied, is a good fit and who was penciled in as a signing of one of the biggest rivals. He's at a similar age as Mkhitaryan and you get an immediate upgrade without any transfer fee. How is it not outstanding business? Because there's high wages involved and because you have to pay the agent? Well, that's the nature of the transfer market.

Ferguson used to balk at this. He slated agents and complained about "no value in the market", and United paid for it. I love Ferguson as much as any other United fan, maybe more ... but towards the end of his tenure, he failed to come to grips with the new reality of the transfer market, and it led to an old squad in need of a lot of rebuilding. You either dance the dance or watch players sign somewhere else.

Originally Posted by Locke

Obviously, despite his lack of transfer fee, his wages are going to effect the structure at the club

how exactly? Rooney earned a lot. Di Maria earned a lot. Pogba earns a lot. Ibrahimovic earns a lot. But now Sanchez is somehow going to break the wage structure?!? Nope. Mkhitaryan gets off the books and Ibrahimovic is as good as gone too ... this will have a far lesser impact on Uniteds "structure" than opposition fans will like to believe

[Kipper is King]

The Chelsea-Norwich FA Cup match is going to PKs. Chelsea finished with 9 players after two red cards for simulation. VAR didn't save them.

[Kipper is King]

Chelsea are on to the fourth round. They took some great penalties.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its frustrating when your rivals outspend you and ergo succeed more but thats just the landscape of the game as it is right now.

Poor poor Liverpool. Just spent the best part of 120M on a defender.

[devo22]

“I wouldn’t like to comment on the numbers because that’s Manchester United’s problem. I respect Manchester United because they generate the money they pay to the players from their own resources. You have to respect that. After that, it’s down to them to know how much they want to give to the player. Overall, Man United is a club that is very well managed financially and on the pitch as well. That’s why I don’t have any problems with the money they pay.”

Arsene gets it.

[d_phaneuf]

Yep, this is not city or Chelsea of 5-15 years ago spending above their means at a loss

United's are just an easy target ever since Fergie left, and everyone has turned on Jose

[Senator Clay Davis]

Very much looking forward to watching Hazard and De Bruyne together this summer for Belgium. Also looking forward to seeing how Roberto Martinez can possibly mess it up.

[Kipper is King]

Jesus, Arsenal. Stop, stop, they're already dead!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Once again Newcastle basically not even trying to go forward for the vast majority of the half. Is losing 5-0 really that much worse than losing 2-0?

[Senator Clay Davis]

That was a near disaster for Ederson. Probably should have started pushing City a little earlier.

[devo22]

lol, Watford have sacked Marco Silva and blame Everton for their dip in form. They better appoint somebody so bad that no other team ever calls.

[Slava]

Terrible performance from Spurs today. Leaves them outside the top four and likely 5 points out after tomorrow. The conditions were tough and there were questionable decisions going both way by Friend, but really...no shots on goal in the second half is just bad.

If they play like that in the string of games coming up, it's going to be a nightmare.

[Locke]

Okay Liverpool.....worst team in the League....dont Spurs this up...