Football, fools gold, super oil money ? the scourge of the game ?

[weeksy]

Well not only have the Saudis started buying into clubs in the world but they're now going nuts and buying half the team from the Premier Leagues squads. At least theyre the 'old/past it/has beens' mostly rather than the superstars. But they're certainly making a go at it.

Is it just like Italia 90s ? Or the seasons when Japan tried the same ...

We've got players like Ronaldo, Benzema, Firmino, Kante, Koulibaly, But certainly looks like more on the way.

Obviously the majority of it is money, greed... but is there any more appeal to anyone ? And why do Footballers care. We've got players being talked about like Henderson who must have 'enough' in the bank now considering he's been on £1m a month for the last 5-6 years.

[Count Steer]

The Americans did it too but I guess they needed to pull in the spectators and media as they built the sport and developed home grown talent. They've been quite successful in doing that. Their women's team aren't too shabby (can't see Saudi doing that). Japan have developed a sustainable sport too.

Are the Saudis trying to build something similar? Hmm. Possibly.

Maybe it's just 'sportwashing' and investment diversification? (Don't see many locals riding in the ME cycling teams yet, or golfers that signed up for the LIV tour etc etc etc so they are prone to buying media exposure).

[DefTrap]

This feels different to the US, Japan and China because some of the players moving to Saudi league aren't one step away from retirement. The wages are stratospheric, you can see how it would be tempting.

It's not a flood yet - if you look at the Saudi clubs teamsheets, some of the supposed superstars are a bit 'who?'.

[weeksy]

This feels different to the US, Japan and China because some of the players moving to Saudi league aren't one step away from retirement. The wages are stratospheric, you can see how it would be tempting.

It's not a flood yet - if you look at the Saudi clubs teamsheets, some of the supposed superstars are a bit 'who?'.

I've not looked yet but most of the countries have a 'max foreign' player rule... i wonder if they have that there. There's a lot of pleaters moving which makes me think maybe not.

[Docca]

I think it’s much more reminiscent of when the Premier league started -and then pulled in players from other leagues. We can’t really complain- the money is silly, but it’s what talks.


Jordan Henderson and Riad Marhez is a bit more of a move away from just the graveyard players- and more will follow.

It will be interesting to see viewing figures (I’ll watch it for a bit) and whether the Saudies will end up being allowed into the champions league ( I know, but it’s the biggest game in town)

[weeksy]

I think it’s much more reminiscent of when the Premier league started -and then pulled in players from other leagues. We can’t really complain- the money is silly, but it’s what talks.


Jordan Henderson and Riad Marhez is a bit more of a move away from just the graveyard players- and more will follow.

It will be interesting to see viewing figures (I’ll watch it for a bit) and whether the Saudies will end up being allowed into the champions league ( I know, but it’s the biggest game in town)

Maybe i'm weird but Hendo is on £200,000 a week. According to a quick google, his net worth is over £25m. Why the hell do you need to earn 'more' ?

I don't get it at all... If i'm a player i want to play with the best, against the best, for the best.... Not some bunch of nomarks.

According to the paper talk they're offering him £700k per week.. which is obviously a ridiculous figure to earn for someone, but i'm not one to argue.

[Supermofo]

Got a love/hate relationship with football. It matters to fans, but the reality is most Prem clubs are just money making/vanity projects. This process started a long long time ago. Our (West Ham) new shirt is £75, which lets be honest is a joke.

What's different to Man City/Newcastle and these Saudi clubs. Not a lot really. Players go there cos the club has pot loads of money, nothing to do with history. If the Saudi's can convince enough young/good players that they have money and can create competition then that's where they'll go especially if they buy their way into the CL or create a rival. It's not that long ago 'Big clubs' in England wanted to join a super league to dick over everyone else. What's to stop the Saudi's dicking the dickers over.

Let's be honest with ourselves if Saudi created a super league and all the best players went there then all those 'fans' worldwide wouldn't be wearing Barca, RM, Man U shirts anymore. It'd matter to us cos we wouldn't be at the top table anymore, but once you've sold yourselves you can't complain when someone else outbids you.

As to whether the Saudi's will succeed who knows. It started with players over the hill but I've been surprised at some of the players going there.

[DefTrap]

Maybe i'm weird but Hendo is on £200,000 a week. According to a quick google, his net worth is over £25m. Why the hell do you need to earn 'more' ?

I don't get it at all... If i'm a player i want to play with the best, against the best, for the best.... Not some bunch of nomarks.

According to the paper talk they're offering him £700k per week.. which is obviously a ridiculous figure to earn for someone, but i'm not one to argue.

I don't get it either, like you say 25m in the bank is something most of us dream of. But you're a long time retired in that game, getting a decent job in one of the standard post-player jobs isn't guaranteed and maybe he has outgoings and business plans that a few more 10s of millions would come in handy.

Realistically where does Henderson go in the prem post Liverpool at his age and certainly on way less money? I mean maybe if he's lucky and stays fit he bounces around a bit like Milner but it starts to make a few years living like a prince in the desert seem more appealing.

[Docca]

I’m of a similar view.

However, I think I’m right in that you have to live out there for 2 years to qualify for the zero tax. So, £700k/ week (Mahrez is £45 a season) means huge, huge money.

I earn ok - I’d like to earn more. I guess that’s true no matter how much you earn for some.

[Supermofo]

Maybe i'm weird but Hendo is on £200,000 a week. According to a quick google, his net worth is over £25m. Why the hell do you need to earn 'more' ?

I don't get it at all... If i'm a player i want to play with the best, against the best, for the best.... Not some bunch of nomarks.

According to the paper talk they're offering him £700k per week.. which is obviously a ridiculous figure to earn for someone, but i'm not one to argue.

I don't get it either, like you say 25m in the bank is something most of us dream of. But you're a long time retired in that game, getting a decent job in one of the standard post-player jobs isn't guaranteed and maybe he has outgoings and business plans that a few more 10s of millions would come in handy.

Realistically where does Henderson go in the prem post Liverpool at his age and certainly on way less money? I mean maybe if he's lucky and stays fit he bounces around a bit like Milner but it starts to make a few years living like a prince in the desert seem more appealing.

Exactly, it's a job to players. They rarely give a real fuck about a club. Ok they may develop a bit of love for a club but most don't play for the team they supported as a kid so it's a different relationship to the ones fans have with a club. Someone like Le Tissier or our Mark Noble played for the club they supported and went through thick and thin with it, although Nobes wasn't high up anyone's hit list. So given the choice between playing for a 'proper' club and getting £20m a year as a different rich mans play thing I suspect a lot of people would take the extra bunce. One Ferrari is enough but 3 is nicer.

[Cousin Jack]

Soccer, or the progessional game, is awash with money, most of it owned or controlled by dodgy characters that DGAF about the game.

Fortunately IDGAF either, boring game.

[Bigjawa]

I think it’s much more reminiscent of when the Premier league started -and then pulled in players from other leagues. We can’t really complain- the money is silly, but it’s what talks.


Jordan Henderson and Riad Marhez is a bit more of a move away from just the graveyard players- and more will follow.

It will be interesting to see viewing figures (I’ll watch it for a bit) and whether the Saudies will end up being allowed into the champions league ( I know, but it’s the biggest game in town)

Maybe i'm weird but Hendo is on £200,000 a week. According to a quick google, his net worth is over £25m. Why the hell do you need to earn 'more' ?

I don't get it at all... If i'm a player i want to play with the best, against the best, for the best.... Not some bunch of nomarks.

According to the paper talk they're offering him £700k per week.. which is obviously a ridiculous figure to earn for someone, but i'm not one to argue.

Football ain't like Formula 1, most of the top players came from decidedly poor backgrounds so when they get money, they will want to make as much as possible.

But one thing I've personally noticed, is a lot fewer kids wearing replica shirts, the prices are ridiculous and to watch the game you're gonna need Sky and BT. Kids are more likely to be wearing a shirt with a band name on it than a football top

[weeksy]

Football ain't like Formula 1, most of the top players came from decidedly poor backgrounds so when they get money, they will want to make as much as possible.

Sure, i get that... but like i say. In the real world, what can you not buy if you earn £35m in your career or £55m. That's the bit i don't get.

If for example the Saudi clubs offered something 'more' like a Glitzy Monaco lifestlye, or maybe even Madrid etc, then maybe i'd get it. But as we know, the Arab countries are a somewhat different culture to go to, so could bring complications there too. Although i expect with enough money, the complications are less.

[Bigjawa]

Football ain't like Formula 1, most of the top players came from decidedly poor backgrounds so when they get money, they will want to make as much as possible.

Sure, i get that... but like i say. In the real world, what can you not buy if you earn £35m in your career or £55m. That's the bit i don't get.

If for example the Saudi clubs offered something 'more' like a Glitzy Monaco lifestlye, or maybe even Madrid etc, then maybe i'd get it. But as we know, the Arab countries are a somewhat different culture to go to, so could bring complications there too. Although i expect with enough money, the complications are less.

I suppose it's bragging rights, and these dudes are seeing it as an early retirement. If you can make 50 mil in 3 years in Saudi or 10 in the PL or Serie A, they're gonna want the money quicker and retire somewhere nice those few years sooner. Footballers have a very limited shelf life for making top dollar, it's all about speed of acquisition.

I wouldn't read into the culture thing too much, unless they act like complete idiots, they'll have an army of "fixers" to cope with their every desire.

[DefTrap]

Doubling my retirement pot in a couple of years, I'd take that - where do I sign? And what do I have to do? (given that I can't bearly run, let alone play high-intensity professional football).

[weeksy]

Doubling my retirement pot in a couple of years, I'd take that - where do I sign? And what do I have to do? (given that I can't bearly run, let alone play high-intensity professional football).

But that makes sense when your pot is £500,000 Doubling that changes a LOT..

But £40m to £80m... Meh, what's the point.

[DefTrap]

But £40m to £80m... Meh, what's the point.

Spitballing but your aspirations and opportunities expand somewhat as your pile of loot increases.

If I had somewhat more money -
- ensure welfare of close family
- ringfence my retirement

If I had a LOT more money (like a Prem footballer) - then maybe
- ensure welfare of wider family, friends
- get the numerous nieces and nephews on the housing ladder
- ringfence -their- retirement
- obviously buy lots of pointless toys, just because ...

If I had a STAGGERING lot more money (like a Saudi league footballer) - then maybe
- you start looking at business opportunities that only the mega-rich can indulge in? (club ownership?), because Hendo's 25mil is small beans
- probably you can funnel more money into charitable works

Do we know what other offers were on the table? He's not ready to retire, he was doing a decent enough job last season, does he really want to play it out at a mid-table club?

[Mr. Dazzle]

Doubling my retirement pot in a couple of years, I'd take that - where do I sign? And what do I have to do? (given that I can't bearly run, let alone play high-intensity professional football).

But that makes sense when your pot is £500,000 Doubling that changes a LOT..

But £40m to £80m... Meh, what's the point.

Your income is probably somewhere ITRO 10x the global average.

What's the point of that?

[Supermofo]

Depends on what you want really. If I could retire at 38 with 40m and stay in UK or spend 2 years in Saudi and have 80m. Then I'd definitely do the latter. I wouldn't for my whole working life but for a couple of years then I'll have that. Especially as it's the exact same job.

[Supermofo]

I see Al-Hilal have offered £259m for Mbappé, possibly for only 1 season.

If he goes, that'd be a watershed moment. Could be the start of the Saudi super league