New manager in the mixer, but can a failure work?

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Finally, we have something more to talk about than the golden 4-5 managers I’ve been tracking these past few weeks. Spanish media has linked us with the Basque manager Unai Emery, who has departed PSG after failing to move them to the next level in the Champions League.

Arsenal fans are starting to come to terms with the reality that Allegri is a dream that might not have much reality to it. I have no basis for saying that deal is dead outside the fact he still has unfinished business with Juventus, his press mutterings indicate he’ll be there next season, and his sporting director saying he thinks Juve will come to a solid agreement when they speak this summer.

FOOTBALL IS MAD FAM, so don’t rule anything out, but I think he’s a sexy damp dream too far this season…

That means we have to be real with what’s available on the market, and also start to tune ourselves into the brief that Ivan’s hawking around Europe…

  •  Rejuvenate a club that’s lost its way
  •  Bring a broken squad together around a new footballing philosophy
  •  Be an actual coach: instilling discipline, tactical awareness plus out and out winnertivity™
  •  Do a lot with a little: purse strings will be tight blud
  •  Suck it up in a management structure where you’ll not have full control
  •  Sell Ospina

That’s why Emery is interesting. The man beat Madrid with Almeria (more here) leading them to a top half of the table finish. He consistently took Valencia to 3rd place. No one talks about Spartak Moscow. Then he took Sevilla, a selling club, won 3 Europa League titles in a row, the last one beating Liverpool in Klopp’s first half season. He’s a deep thinker, super pragmatic and his best work has been with teams that are in the shitter, or just skint.

One of the big critiques of him at PSG is the players didn’t care for him. He was deemed passive.

‘There is no fear of rebuke for poor displays or selfishness as a significant chunk of the first team will be picked no matter what. As a result PSG lack any semblance of rigour or discipline and players dally in possession and struggle to find any intensity.’

Arsenal is a mess, but we’re still bigger than Sevilla. Could Emery manage man-monsters like Ozil?

Or, do issues like this sit at the owner’s feet? PSG pride mega names over the proper casting of personalities. Remember, not even Carlo – the master of egos – could manage effectively there.

The other question is: if he can’t make PSG European Champions, how is he going to make us special?

This is something I think about a lot (twice a day at least), management is a flip of a coin at the highest level. Pep G has fucked the Champions League twice in a row for City, and he never made a final with Bayern Munich. Does that make him a bad manager, or just unlucky? I also think there’s something in the idea that PSG might be so dominant in Ligue 1, they lose their edge when they play a proper team because they’re coasting most of the season.

This is the madness of football, because he failed badly at PSG, fans won’t want him. Though take a moment to look back on PSGs style of play this season, it’s hard not to be impressed, until you realise they dropped £300m on talent to win a league and a cup.

Anyway, back to the list of items CEOs look for in a modern manager:

  • A footballing philosophy the CEO and the fans can buy into (which is why I’m amazed Mourinho is still at United)
  • A coach who has the charisma and passion to transmit that vision to the players (which is why all the Twitter muppets who used ‘pashun’ as a derogatory snipe at English fans are eating their hat now every hipster manager is a touchline gangster)
  • A leader who can make the players better, get bums on seats and elevate the club in a saturated global football market (which is why you’re increasingly seeing stable managers who win ugly moved on for the folk who are a little bit more ambitious about putting on a show)

You’ll have to let me know whether you think Emery can deliver on the above.

Finally, before I go. There was a lot of debate yesterday after I gave Mesut a roasting online. My take on his agent’s comments are as followed.

Keown has won 3 PL titles. 3 FA Cups. A Euro trophy. He’s an Invincible.

Who the f*ck is his agent to plough into an actual legend of the club?

Mesut Ozil isn’t a legend. I don’t care about his POTY with Germany. I don’t care about his chances created record. I don’t care about his World Cup win.

He’ll always be a luxury player who never really delivered on what we wanted. He’s not a warrior. He’s rarely been a leader (though he’s shown he can be both the latter when he fancies is). He almost never shows up in the big games. He disappears in the second half of every season, even when he’s rested.

I find it amazing that on the one hand, we’re complaining that our strikers don’t get any service, and on the other hero-ing Mesut as a chance creator. We literally have two of the most potent strikers in Europe lining up for us and we’ve lost all our away games this year. Which is it? A lack of finishers? Or a lack of service?

Back to Mesut, he has no right to pop off at Martin Keown, who certainly doesn’t have had the talent of the German, but he had 10x the heart, 10x the commitment, and the trophies to back it.

There has never been a question around Martin’s dedication, the man has never taken a day off before the season was out for a sore back, he’s never ducked an away leg at a team that might kick him, and though he may have kissed the ring of Wenger over the years and been an enabler, it’s mostly because he’s so desperate to impact the team he loves.

If you don’t quite comprehend why Martin Keown is a more important player than Mesut Ozil, you never watched him.

Keown is a legend. Also worth noting that even when his career was coming to an end, he’d have been working with the younger defender, passing on the knowledge, helping them through the Invincibles season.

Ozil doesn’t measure up for Arsenal. World Cups don’t matter in the debate about Ozil. Messi and Ronaldo, two of the GOATs, have never won the World Cup.

Too many people just don’t get it… Mesut doesn’t care about Arsenal. Europe knows it, that’s why no one bar Arsenal made an offer for his services.

He’ll always be remembered as a supremely gifted talent that didn’t have the stomach to elevate Arsenal.

That’s me done, see you in the comments.

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Coach 15

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11367435/hector-bellerin-insists-he-will-be-at-arsenal-next-seasonWhen players start insisting these things it often means the opposite…

Or the players already know whose coming in and are convinced that staying is an option,if there in the new plans.

Coach 15

I bet with Stan it has something to do with shares

Park Chu-young's left testicle

Personally I don’t think the players know who the new manager is otherwise it would have leaked.

azed

“Or the players already know whose coming in and are convinced that staying is an option,if there in the new plans.”

Bellerin has a long term contract, he is staying unless he’s told he’s not wanted by the club and so far, there’s no evidence from the club that he’s been told that.

Coach 15

Just saying guys,but I bet a few are looking for assurances from the club over their futures,on tender hooks like all arsenal fans awaiting the news.

Dissenter

Did anyone see the Wenger comments about the “European super league”?
This was a tangential remark to a very simple question.

You have to wonder what’s going on with this man.
I wish someone had asked him that “why should we listen to you since you thought Ozil was worthy of a 350k weekly contract?”

Park Chu-young's left testicle

Dissenter
The fawning by the journalists at his last press conference as an Arsenal manager was embarrasing.

HillWood

Dick Emery for Arsenal manager ?
“ Ooh you are awful, but I like you”

HillWood

I might be showing my age there

Dissenter

Park Chu-Young
“The fawning by the journalists at his last press conference as an Arsenal manager was embarrasing.”

Yes
It puts to permanent rest all that nonsense about the sporting media being against Wenger.
The European super league comment came when the press conference was over but Wenger didn’t want to stop talking. It just seemed so far out of context that they ignored him. It’s like trying to start a stampede by yelling “the zombies are coming”

David Smith

Another great day, Wengers dross , who he has protected for so long, have left the building. and a couple more accused of bullying. Darrenarsenal1 suggesting Freddie coming back as under 23 manager. Pretty sure Primorac and Colbert will soon follow Peyton, Banfield and Bibbo From now on, our keepers will have proper coaches, and will it show. Jens staying. Some rumours Tony Roberts, the man wenger got rid of out of spite because Szcz and Fab publicly rated him over Peyton, will be bought back from Swansea. A clean sweep of ineptitude. Hopefully, another benefit from recent events, Stan… Read more »

Dissenter

Huddersfield can’t stop partying after securing their premier league status.
The players stayed up all night midweek partying along with the manager, David Wagner. They didn’t train on Thursday.
If we don’t beat Huddersfield after all their embarrassing preparations then Wenger should be docked for two week wages on his way out.

Leedsgunner

I know that until recently Dennis has been working with Ajax as head of their academy– surely he should be doing the same for us? If not managing the U23s? By all accounts he did a decent job over there.

Dissenter

Aubergine
Besides a few bums at the Daily Mail, the rest of the media were firmly on Wenger’s side. Even when it was clear he had lost his winning edge they only offered mild criticism of his approach.
It took the impact of new media with fan-led blogs and you-tube channels to turn the tide against media.
That’s my take anyway. We probably disagree on this one.

Leedsgunner

“The only consistent person throughout last 10 years has been Stuart Robson.”

True with Adrian Durham close behind.

David Smith

Primorac gone.
Apparently, Bibbo may possibly be offered a role in the new structure after all.

Dissenter

The club is being cowardly
They are supposed to clear out all the backroom coaching staff, even Bould should be sacked. There’s no reputable manager who would allow the club to dictate his assistants.

steve

What a complete joke if Bould is staying. He’s part of the problem as he’s been another yesman to Wenger. He needs to fuck off as well.

Marc

Fucking hell after years of moaning and wishing Wenger gone what are half the posters on here still doing – moaning about Wenger.

Give it a fucking rest and get a life. Feel sorry for the people who have to put up with you in real life.

David Smith

Maybe the next manager has requested Bould as defence coach? Agree, Bould should be damned by his silence and inaction, even if Wenger prevented him working on our shambolic defending, the right thing would have been to resign to preserve integrity, but integrity doesnt pay top school fees for his kids. Hopefully, Bould is a force that has been held back , just waiting to be unleashed on the teams main weakness. Werent there reports a while back that the players as a group had Per and- erm- Arteta approach Wenger and demand better coaching of the defence? As for… Read more »

Champagne charlie

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11367791/manchester-united-reveal-new-third-kit-made-from-parley-ocean-plastic

Arsenal should follow suit, a few on here are prime candidates for a plastic kit…

Victorious

“Fucking hell after years of moaning and wishing Wenger gone what are half the posters on here still doing – moaning about Wenger.”

Aptly put Marc.its called an “obsession”..they simply just cant help it,the only discussion they can engage on must be about the man because anyother football related topic and the ignorance and absolute lack of footy knowledge comes to the fore.

Marc

CC

That’s harsh – even single use plastic is useful once.

Chris

Late to the party, but couldnt agree more with your opinion on Ozil, Pedro.

The people criticising Keown have more than likely never seen him play or became fans after he retired.

One things I would ask Ozil’s agent is why no big clubs came in for him at the start of this year. Zero interest, not even many rumours.

Ozil is a fine player, that isn’t in question. Is he worth 350k a week? Not in a month of Sunday’s.

steve

@Marc
“Fucking hell after years of moaning and wishing Wenger gone what are half the posters on here still doing – moaning about Wenger.Give it a fucking rest and get a life. Feel sorry for the people who have to put up with you in real life.”

___

Wenger’s shadow will be over the club long after his reign of terror has ended.

Marko

Keown is for better or worse an Arsenal legend. Ozil when his time is up won’t likely be.

Marko

Yeah I’m not sure Marc realizes that the season still isn’t over and he’s still here. I don’t get the outburst all the discussions seem fine not really toxic

Uwot?

Whoever it is are likely to be a massive upgrade.at leat tactically you souls assume.but can everybody agree on what the likely criteria Arsenal are looking for? What’s the tick list? Then maybe it can be narrowed down to two candidates.?who knows?

Uwot?

On Ozil.hes a luxury player.no more.no less.not what we needed for last few seasons unless personnel changes drastically it will stay the same.bin him & quick.for the good of the club.

Chris

Keown was one of our players who always looked livid when we conceded, remember one particular instance up at Bradford where we allowed Dean Saunders to score.

Showing passion doesn’t always equate to quality or greatness, but it can be at least endearing. A lot of the time the only passion I see from Ozil is on his Twitter page.

I would be interested to see how a new manager can motivate him but I think he is just the way he is. Reminds me of a bloke I work with actually, one gear and no get up and go.

Marc

Marko

Sorry but the season is effectively over win, lose or draw on Sunday won’t make a toss of difference other than maybe to a pub quiz statistic.

I’m glad Wenger’s gone just don’t see any benefit in slagging the guy off even further. The only people who’ll read it are on here and most of those have either never seen a game or never will.

Gunner2301

I’d prefer Bould went with the rest as some have said he’s shown no integrity and as assistant he is also culpable.

On a different note does this remind you of anyone?

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21263

We went through a period of discussing this on LeGrove and I think this might have been his problem and those affected tend not to seek treatment. Given the medical staff we have at the club they must surely have seen this. Astounding!

Dissenter

Marc
You’re obviously deluded and hearing anti-Wenger comments ringing between your ears.
What “slagging” off comments are you referring to?
Most recent comments have been about everything but Wenger.
The conversation has been quite cordial. The only vile comments have come from Wenger-in people, like you and victorious.

…and the damn season isn’t over yet.

Gunner2301

Even if the club wants Bould to stay another manager could still bring his entourage and leave Bould to put the cones out. Is that what happened to Giggs under VanGal? Can’t remember. They could sideline him quite easily he’d just be another line item on a spreadsheet.

Alex Cutter

“Fucking hell after years of moaning and wishing Wenger gone what are half the posters on here still doing – moaning about Wenger.Give it a fucking rest and get a life. Feel sorry for the people who have to put up with you in real life. …The only people who’ll read it are on here and most of those have either never seen a game or never will.” Eat a fucking dick, AKB twat. I’m sure I’m not the only non-Brit who’s been sitting on pile of money for years that’s been long-allocated for my first trip to London to… Read more »

DM

From BBC:
“Arsenal have suspended Under-23s coaches Steve Gatting and Carl Laraman following complaints of bullying from some players.”

Apologies if this has been mentioned already, I had a quick look and couldn’t see anything about it. Sounds ominous..

Article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44088614

Marc

And once again the sad fucks on here worst insult is AKB. Anyone who’s read my comments over the years would know I’m firmly in the “he had to go”.

We’ve got what we wanted and please tell me precisely what is left to play for?

Alex – How long have you been supporting the club?

Marc

DM

Sound’s like the Chelsea thing is spreading. I know it sounds crazy but I hope it’s true rather than some player who couldn’t hack it moaning because he got called a fucking moron.

Freddie Ljungberg

Talk in the Daily Mail (I know) about some pretty crazy clauses in Aubas contract: “Aubameyang’s deal gave him a £198,000-a-week salary but – rather incredibly – also an eye-watering £18.2 million signing on fee. Yes, you read that right… £18.2 million. For a little bit of context, that’s almost thrice the signing on fee given to Sanchez in his United. That’s not all, though, with Arsenal paying Aubameyang a hefty £250,000 for every game Arsenal win with him starting.” This has to be made up bullshit right? No way we’re throwing away all that money on 1 player, would… Read more »

Marc

Freddie

Even without the signing on fee that’d put him on £448,000 a week for a good chunk of the season (at least when we play at home!). What about weeks when we have a Cup / European match as well as playing in the league. Can’t see it.

Victorious

Dissenter “The conversation has been quite cordial. The only vile comments have come from Wenger-in people, like you and victorious.” what a dumb post,not unexpected since you’re the resident windbag, and WTF are you blithering about making vile comments today,i’ve been very polite in passing my points across,its actually those of your likes that are the vile ones take for example this plonker: cuntter: Eat a fucking dick, AKB twat. I’m sure I’m not the only non-Brit who’s been sitting on pile of money for years that’s been long-allocated for my first trip to London to see the side in… Read more »

Dissenter

Victorious
I made my comment at 18;22.47
Cutter wrote his vile post at 18;33.12
Surely you must know that I don’t have a time machine to predict the future

Freddie Ljungberg

Yeah, it would be complete insanity, we sometimes play every 3 days, would be a massive outlay for 1 player, would create problems in the squad as well. Don’t even see any of the “new money” clubs throwing money away quite so freely, nevermind us.

Would explain why we would only have 50mil to spend though, because there’s no other reason for it…

Marc

Freddie

Firstly

Don’t believe anything you read in the papers especially the Daily Mail.

Secondly

On the £50 million transfer funds – and where did that info come from?

Paddy got bored

Looks like a coachload from Untold has arrived on here. Don’t talk about Fraud as it makes them cry…
At least they all got a nice Merci Arsene t shirt last Sunday to cry into
EIE

Marc

Paddy

Best you can manage – how about trying to add a comment that’s constructive.

Who would you prefer as the new manager and who do you think we’ll get?

Freddie Ljungberg

Marc. I’m well aware, thanks, it’s just so outlandish I had to post it. Think 50mil has been the consensus in the media, (with only a few sources saying it’s 200 mil) I don’t believe that for a second. All our recent spending has been covered by outgoing players. The choice in manager is going to show us what the clubs direction is, someone like Allegri is not going to come and scrap for 4th place, so it will probably be Arteta. Don’t see how we are going to attract top players if we go that route, no CL, novice… Read more »

Coach 15

If you assume the ‘bold’ statement made by Gazidis equals a novice or/2/3 tier manager,then IMO no announcement will be made on the next boss until the club have secured ST renewals.

Thorough
MGooner

If Allegri comes, we need to give him a budget to compete.

50M is what clubs like the Hammers or Everton expend. We will not win the league like that.

We need a significant change in personel to challenge for 2nd place at least.

Elmo

Re that PEA signing on fee, the earliest chance to see if there’s any truth to it will be the full year accounts later this year. ‘New player registrations’ includes transfer fees, signing on fees and agents’ fees, which are capitalised to the balance sheet, then amortised over the course of the contract. For reference, in the summer of 2016 £110.5m was capitalised on ‘new player registrations,’ almost entirely on Xhaka, Mustafi and Perez, with Gazidis using this figure at the fan forum as his evidence of investment in the squad; comparing that figure to mooted transfer fees, you can… Read more »

Marc

Freddie I don’t agree with your view of recent spending being covered by player sales although it does depends on what period you’re talking about. I think this summer’s budget will be more than the 50 but won’t be near 200 quoted elsewhere – I expect something closer to 70 – 90 plus player sales which could add up to who knows. We won’t see a new manager by Monday several European leagues don’t finish until next weekend so I’d expect something closer to end of the month. I also think you’re wrong about the ambition the club will show,… Read more »

Coach 15

Arsène behaved like a 2/3 tier coach,working on limited budgets that have been suggested are available for the new boss,for many years under the present ownership.
Don’t see the club moving away from this model anytime soon,so the Arteta appointment makes sense.
Hope I’m wrong.

Marc

Coach

Deadline is 1st June – I’m not really expecting anything before this and that’s with or without any conspiracy theories.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

You put across a persuasive case for dick ….Emery
Pedro

But it’s a no from me

Coach 15

Marc
Agreed,hopefully everything will have been concluded long before 1 June ,but I think ST renewals will play a big part in when the next appointment is announced.
Could be wrong just a hunch,those empty seats sure made Stan &son sit up a pay attention.

Marc

RSPC

I’m glad you added in the “Emery” I really don’t want Pedro trying to brain wash us into all wanting “dick”.

It’s bad enough on here as it is.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Marc

As arsenal have shown it’s all about the humour

Marc

Coach

If I remember correctly revenue is circa £3 million per match (obviously balancing out A & C matches). This season those seats were already paid for knocking £25 million off the revenue plus no CL money again seriously adds up. I joined the ST waiting list circa 12 – 13 years ago and there was 80,000 on it, my Nephew is a Jnr Gunner and I got an email re the renewal last week where he’s now automatically added to the ST list – his number was in the low 50’s. Quite a drop off.

Marc

RSPC

It’s something that’s really lacking on here a lot of the time.

MGooner

Coach 15

You never know with that IG chap. As his incentive is to keep his job, he might just hire Allegri give him a shit budget and then blame him if we fail. He has a team of 3 on which he can shift the blame now.

Remember Dick Law – He was the guy who would have sorted out our contract issues.

Waldo

Your Comment Here

Freddie Ljungberg

Marc

In the last 2 windows we sold Giroud, Theo, Ox, Coq for about 90 mil combined, we made signing for just over 100mil, Laca + Auba, Kolasinac on a free. I’d say that pretty much covers it.
Should be plenty of money left, probably around the sum you mention. If we’re serious we will add to that by selling some underperformers.

I hope I’m wrong about the ambition too, just don’t have much faith in the owner/board. Would be delighted if I was wrong though.

Marc

MGooner

Yeah but we’ve hired a new contract guy – can’t remember his name – but he’s ex Team Sky and seriously rated. We’re putting together a really top end structure I just can’t believe we’ll drop a non entity into the managers job.

Coach 15

Mgooner
Yep you could be right,expect nothing with lot now,and you could be surprised or equally underwhelmed.

I think the waiting/ guessing could be more interesting than the actual outcome.

Marc

Freddie

Of the list you mention the only player to me who wasn’t expendable was Giroud, a good few on here would say, in fact repeatedly did say they were all over paid and a waste of space. I look at the expenditure over the last 3 – 5 seasons as a better guide. What you mention I look at as good house keeping getting ready for this summer.

Freddie Ljungberg

I’m not saying I would have kept any of them, good riddance. There’s still more deadwood to clear out.

Just saying the myth of us being these big spenders now is bs, it’s still largely funded by players sales even when we have more money. We could do so much more, and we need to now to catch up.

Elmo

MGooner Dick Law was crap at his job, but he was clearly the one thrown under the bus as a head to roll for the contracts mess. He was the only one of Wenger’s inside circle to leave the club last summer. The club probably foolishly relied on Law’s repeated feedback that he was close to extending Sanchez and Ozil and only panicked and started taking urgent action when senior management realised the situation was out of their control and in danger of setting back the club’s fortunes for years. I think his title was ‘Head of Football Relations’ and… Read more »

HillWood

Victoria
I can’t believe you actually used the word “footy” earlier.
Do you still read The Beano ?

Redtruth

Marc

It was cunts like you that kept Wenger at his post for far took long…

Redtruth

Marc

It was cunts like you that kept Wenger at his post for far too long…

Redtruth

In his post

Guns of Brixton

Over his post

Guns of Brixton

Under his post

Guns of Brixton

Above his post!

🙂

Coach 15

I more minute McMahon on sky debate this evening,
Got a love the fella for that gesture.

Coach 15

One more minute McMahon on sky debate this evening,
Gotta love the fella for that gesture

HillWood

Red
Who do you want to be the next manager

Coach 15

That day in May, a wonderful evening that I cherish to have been part of.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

First class post ?
Second class post ?

Package post ?

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Red

No need to call fellow posters cunts is there

I use the word a lot unfortunately … but not to fellow posters

It’s a happy time

Apologise now I say old boy

Redtruth

I should be the next Manager.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Red

You enjoying a good Friday night dinner with the family ?

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Shalom

Coach 15

Or Wilson

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Soon be 29 years boys
St Thomas’s day

Redtruth

I am more qualified than all the prick candidates put together

Coach 15

Red the new manager,Pierre his number 2,stroller doing the hiring
and champers the scouting.
Are you listening to le grove Stanley or whatever your real name is.

Coach 15

fooking Hell 29 years,that’s worse than when someone posted the other day they were 26 when Wenger took,I was 18 that day,where do the years go.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Ah red
Your talking about yer self in a third person sense….

Your worried you won’t have nothing to moan about next season

Once again
You have been asked a direct question regarding the club an you dodged the question…..

Frankly your once comical comment have become a bore ….
You my dear fellow have been found out to be the blunder that you are…..

Coach 15

*took over

Coach 15

We won the league on the Mersey,we won the league on Merseyside.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

One of the happiest days of my life

Coach 15

Mickey,mickey T
Mickey.mickey T
Who put the ball in the scousers net
Mickey Mickey T

Coach 15

Me too RSPC,that was one hell of a special evening.

China

Lol stop frothing at the mouth aubergine

France is a strong league? Please.

Apart from rare one off seasons when another team will achieve something of note, PSG are the only team that isn’t normally CL cannon fodder for genuinely top teams.

If you think the lure of the league had any part in Neymar’s decision to join them you are a tool. He could win the BoD in the PL and actually push himself. But France is where top players go to collect easy domestic trophies and a fat pay cheque. Sorry if this upsets you.

TonyD

We just love giving money away, don’t we?

CL bonus for something Auba was illegible to be part of?

“However, perhaps the most remarkable detail in Aubameyang’s Arsenal deal relates to his ‘Champions League bonus’ of £2.26m — which the striker will receive even though Arsenal failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-5718227/Premier-League-stars-crazy-contracts-revealed-Alexis-Sanchez-Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang.html

Champagne charlie

China

Pretty sure it was the ridiculous comparison you made between Ligue Un and China.

Just because PSG pay by the bucket does not equate them to that shithole league. France is historically strong, they play in the CL, and there’s a great deal of prestige there despite the recent monopoly.

China is an empty void across the world, out the way of the real football.

China

France has not been a competitive league by european standards during my life time

Their teams traditionally make up numbers in the CL apart from whichever single team is dominating in that era – PSG now, Lyon a while back. And even that dominant team never wins the CL is highly unlikely to make the final

If you think elite players are drawn to France for its league quality then I have a bridge to sell you sir

China

As well, if France was a competitive league, it wouldn’t have 90% of its best players centered in a single team.

At least Spain has a few clubs sharing the elite spoils and England has a handful