11/24/24
July 15, 2002
Transfer Crash throughout Europe as money dries up: Good article in the Guardian revealing the lack of serious transfer activity in Europe following the world cup. Overspending on player salaries and reduced TV money seems to be to blame with several big Italian & Spanish clubs in trouble. Interestingly English clubs are responsible for the top 3 close season signings (Anelka, Diuoff, Viana) and when Ferdinand and Bowyer move, that will mean top 5. Have English clubs missed the danger signals, or are they fundamentally better off than those on the continent?
I'm not 100% sure that the money isn't there - yes, in the case of Leeds and Chelsea (and Everton + a few others), but most Premiership sides are doing Ok at the moment. I seem to remember seeing something in the paper a while ago, where the EU had found that International Transfers were in contravention of EU law, and FIFA and the EU were trying to thrash out a solution. Does anyone have a link to this? Google doesn't seem to be playing, and this is the best I've found.
posted by BigCalm at 03:52 AM on July 16, 2002
Big Calm - Think this link fits the bill. Quite a complicated spat involving FIFA, UEFA and the EU. I agree with Worldcup2002 that Newcastle & Man City are gambling big. Especially City - I live in Manchester and some of the blues I know seriously think they are going to be challenging for the title next season! Not being involved in a relegation dogfight after Christmas would be a more realistic target. It takes years to build a credible title challenge in the premiership as Leeds have just found out & I fear Newcastle will learn the same this year.
posted by no7 at 04:29 AM on July 16, 2002
Sorry - Heres da link! http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,447216,00.html
posted by no7 at 04:31 AM on July 16, 2002
It's always possible that Man City may mount a challenge with Kevin Keegan at the helm. I think they may do what Sunderland and Ipswich did in their first premiership season and finish high. Whatever happens, sides managed by Kevin Keegan seem to provide goals galore, so I'm looking forward to Villa vs. Man City next season. Possibly the new legislation will promote growth of the loaning of top-flight players (e.g. Anelka to Liverpool from PSG), rather than sale?
posted by BigCalm at 06:46 AM on July 16, 2002
Yeah but Ipswich were relegated last year and Sunderland finished 4th bottom, 1 point off relegation. You can have a good flash in the pan season, but to qualify for the champions league on a regular basis is a bit tougher. I agree with the loans thing - Clubs are just desparate to bring their wage bill down. Liverpool are a case in point trying to offload Litmanen etc.
posted by no7 at 03:59 AM on July 22, 2002
The top 5 you mention are being bought by fundamentally cream of the crop teams. So, it's hard to answer your question. Liverpool (very successful the past two seasons, including winning the FA and UEFA cups last year, plus finishing second in the League and playing in the Champions League this past season) account for Diouf and Bowyer. Man U are the only real option for Ferdinand, and if anyone has money, it's Man U. Manchester City, who bought Anelka, obviously can afford top flight players and a manager such as Kevin Keegan (and succeed at it). And Newcastle, who bought Viana, have a chance at Europe this coming season. I don't think English clubs are any better off than other clubs, nor do they miss danger signals (most of the crazy money gets spent in Italy and Spain). It's just that the rewards of Euro success tend to cause more risky gambles. O'Leary gambled and lost at Leeds. Now Venables has to sort it out.