Let’s talk about Arsenal putting Senor Edu front and centre for all these deals we’re doing.
Arsenal 🤝 Young players
💬 “We want to see a club like Arsenal with a young squad, an exciting squad, with a big big future.” pic.twitter.com/KgiQVQMd0K
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 21, 2022
He’s been under a bit of pressure over the past few years, he was signed by a scuz bucket director of Arsenal and was very close to a lot of murky goings-on at the club before the said scuz bucket was ejected from Arsenal never to be seen again.
Edu kept his job. Was it because he was just following orders? Was it because the club didn’t want more disruption? Was it because he has a really nice voice and how nice your voice is impacts how people percieve you?
Who knows. But there has been a bit if a rebirth of Edu. Just watch that video, listen to the strategic clarity in his voice, look at the positivity he’s omitting. The guy is very believable and if I met him, I would sign whatever paper he was waving in front of me.
I’ve had my misgivings. The double-your-wages deal for Willian. The Super Agent lovefest. The Cedric deal that was HORRIBLE. But… we have to forgive in life. We have to look to the future, not dwell on the past. We have to embrace the good in someone, rather than point to what has gone before.
Edu, I’m ready to forgive. Come give me a hug and let me smell your cologne IRL. Is that Le Labo? Ooof, you sexy beast.
I think the best thing about Edu is that if you give him a brief and tell him to get a deal… the man will get the fucking thing signed.
Let’s look at what he’s achieved:
- He’s moved on roughly 18 players that could have been considered in the first-team squad
- He’s overseen about 15 signings since Don Raul was exited
- We haven’t lost a single player to a free transfer that we wanted to keep
- Our wage bill has dropped from £190m to £90m
- We are no longer a banter club when it comes to negotiations, he gets the job done
- We have the youngest squad in the league
Can I talk speculation? There are strong indicators that both Gabrel Jesus and Raphinha are going to turn down the advances of Spurs because they prefer the Arsenal project. Who is sitting in a room with those two? It’ll be Edu, in a crisp white shirt, with a plate of BBQ, and a Keynote prez.
Is there work to do for him? Yes. He needs to sell someone for a proper fee at some point. But who cares right now with Sugar Daddy Josh showering us with Super Bowl/Stanley Cup money.
You can’t knock Edu right now. All the fears everyone had about Europa League costing us talent seem to be getting dispelled. Edu is firmly in the mixer there.
Do I like the Super Agent stuff? No. But it’s the price of business at the highest level. Jorge Mendes is trying to move Raphina to Arsenal, he’s moved Vieira there, he’ll backfill Leeds and he’ll backfill Porto taking a fee at every step.
But I have to accept that and so do you… I don’t mind super agents when the players are super talented.
So in short, I’m enjoying the better Edu, he’s doing great work, I am over my issues with him.
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I love Eddies new interview Pierre was probably right about Eddie. He’s not a late bloomer as he’s still young but he wasn’t ready until last season. He bossed youth leagues but was nowhere near PL quality until last summer, he couldn’t adapt unlike some of our other young talents like Saka ESR etc. But last summer he went analyses what was wrong. He bulked up. He decided to try and impose himself on games more and not be a victim – to instead of an agent of action and catalyst for things to happen. He’s worked his socks off.… Read more »
There is usually a lot of hate about Melo but I’ve not watched him closely. Does he really warrant the hate? What I’ve read about him was he was amazing in Brazil, amazing in his early years at Barca, his form dropped a bit and was sold to Juve where he’s been meh In the early wenger days this is the kind of player he would swoop in for on the cheap, resurrect their career and we’d have that beastly player on our hands. But I dunno if he’s really just one of those players who petered out young and… Read more »
I have a theory about our good pal Xhaka. I think he has the Giroud syndrome. This is a bloke that has obvious weakness and every Arsenal manager tries to find a way to either get a replacement or phase him out. So far, all have failed. Primarily because Xhaka is a cyborg. He is always available when others break down. Like a robot he has no issues with taking instruction and playing his part. The club did try. Cabellos, Guendozi, Lokonga, Partey, Toerreira, etc. Xhaka has survived them all. Move him to Serie A and he might win the… Read more »
Dark Hei
“The Giroud syndrome” indeed. It’s true the guy almost never gets injured. The Cazorlas, Ramseys and Parteys all break down but never the Granite. Its too bad his ever availability actually robs us of points. His defenders will say he played well last season. True that, if we are comparing to his usual lower standards.
Watch him survive Tielemans too now.
China1
It seems to indicate that Arteta’s got something planned in that midfield, with links to similar type of players like Melo, Tielemans.
Let’s hope the ‘Xhaka syndrome’ doesn’t outlast/outwit such a plan
Englandbest. “One rotten apple spoils the barrel. Well, we had plenty at Arsenal, indeed it was harder to find a decent one. Now the apples are all delicious, the rotten core has been hosed out.” The so called ” rotten apples” took this club to 6 cup finals in 7 seasons . The “rotten apples ” even won an FA Cup for Arteta in his first season. This tells me that the “rotten apples” had more about them than many gave them credit for. A group of players do not battle and fight their way to 6 cup finals in… Read more »
I rotten apple. Ozil.
1 useless untalented midfield apple. Willock.
Glad those 2 are gone.
If , as been reported, we have made an offer of 30m for lisandro martinez , my first reaction is why risk the chance of losing him by going in so low, I’m sure if we can pay 50 mil for Ben White then the reported asking price of 43 mil for martinez shouldn’t be a problem.
Let’s get it done.
i leave town and forego internet for a few days and when i return its looking like we’re beating CL teams to signings. wtf. better just stop
Another lie…. We weren’t finishing 2nd or winning fa cups for 7 season pierre. You are as dishonest as the obsessive wait! You’re the obsessive one. Oops. You’re soo weird. You want people to be happy about the past but you can’t be happy now? Now Eddie is playing I wonder what you’re going to be crying about all season come next season
Raulishuss
“Another lie…. We weren’t finishing 2nd or winning fa cups for 7 season pierre. You are as dishonest ”
Obviously you are illiterate or just plain thick …probably the latter.
Evidence from when the ” rotten apple” Ozil arrived.
FA Cup Winner 2013-14
FA Cup Winner 2014-15
Premier League Runner-up 2015-16
FA Cup Winner 2016-17
Football League Cup Runner-up 2017-18
UEFA Europa League Runner-up 2018-19
FA Cup Winner 2019-20
“The so called ” rotten apples” took this club to 6 cup finals in 7 seasons .”
AND consecutive 8th place finishes.
anyone remember this guy
( https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/kieran-gibbs-inter-miami-wages-paid-crypto-bitcoin-1590339 )
pretending to jump defending a corner and letting in a goal
what can you say Pierre- guess Arsenal is just a cup team, like luton town
wasn’t that long ago wigan beat man city for it.
the whole point of a cup and a cup team is that any given day any team can win. bit more exciting than a 38 game campaign that requires a proper team w discipline and grit
Zacharse “what can you say Pierre- guess Arsenal is just a cup team” If you are asking would i prefer the Arsenal that were trophyless for the 9 years before the ” rotten apples ” arrived or would i prefer the Arsenal that consistently won trophies after the “rotten apples “arrived , then i would probably say the latter , although some of the football played during the barren years was superb.. As for the last few years with the so called “rotten apples” leaving and 500 mil spent, getting to a cup final would be a bonus as according… Read more »
You said runners up in the league and fa cup wins you’re obviously the senile one.
I will honestly forgive everyone if Raphina comes to Arsenal . Get on it Edu !!
Marseille looking to take Tavares on loan with an it in to buy. Could that be a clue that we are confident of securing Lisandro? I hope so.
Few days before pre season starts, and we’ve signed ONE player this TF, and that was the bloke no one’s heard of. So what exactly are we supposed to get excited about?
Well done Newcastle on getting Nick Pope. Cracking signing.
My view now is that Arsenal will focus on buying both Jesus and Raphinha over next week and then there will be an interlude on further purchases most probably left back and central midfield. Those positions will be dependent on departures from club and the revenues generated or wages offloaded. Arsenal will expect to generate transfer fees from sale of Leno, Pepe,Bellerin, Torreira, Maitland-Niles Mari and Nelson, but clearly if we struggle to offload these players it may impact on further inward business. Personally I don’t think that Arsenal will have difficulty offloading Leno, AMN or Nelson, but the wages… Read more »
If raphina comes and xhaka starts. Fuck arsenal heirarchy
The thing with Pierre, he’s been saying the same things ad infinitum.
Since Wenger left I agree more with Pierre than the club 🤣😂🤣😂.
Un thinks Sambi elneny and partey cost 50m. Bless
Pierre. As much as I’m a younger, obnoxious Kent. I have always rated your thoughts. Cheers
£2M from Ballard sale, need some money from player sales so that we can get Tielemans in too. We absolutely need a central midfielder on top of Viera, Jesus, Rafinha and Martinez unless Martinez plays as a DM.
Messi turns 35 today.
Hopefully we get to see a couple of years of magical and scintillating performances from the GOAT in his last hurrah.
Arsenal’s problem with outgoing sales is and has always been that everyone knows which players are unwanted and need to be offloaded. Most of these players are also on grossly unrealistic wages for their current status, which impacts on the manner of their departure. When a Spanish, Italian, French or German comes in for our unwanted players they are not going to spend £10 million + or match the wages we pay these players. Bellerin and Torreira may be £15 million + players on paper, but the overseas clubs who are likely to recruit them do not have those resources.… Read more »
Well done Newcastle on getting Nick Pope. Cracking signing.
Always liked Nick Pope
Tr7. If only he wasn’t at PSG!!
I mean I want to see him win them the cl purely to say they needed him to do it
Goober
Did I not say £80m?
Partey £50m
Sambi £15
Element £5m
That’s £70m plus tielemans is £95m
That’s a snip compared with Chelsea, £35m on kante £40m on Kovavic £50m on Jorginho
United £90m on Pogba, £40m on Matic £47m on Fred
city (let’s not even go there
and
Liverpool who spend£20m on Henderson £50m on Keita £43m on Fabinho £35m on the Ox
Arthur Melo couldn’t cut it at Barca and he’s since shown he can’t cut it at Juve. He’s close to being a Brazilian Dele Alli.
If you can’t succeed in Serie A as a fairly slow, small statured 5’7″ midfielder, the chances are you will be buried in the Premier League. If Melo is the answer, it’s a bloody stupid question.
https://arseblog.com/2022/06/three-things-arsenal-2022-23/
Good article from Tim Stillman.
Stroller
Fiorentina just received over £60m for Vlahovic, used us to drive up the price then reneged on their agreement on Torreira
They’ve acted badly
Guendouzi should have been at least £20m and Marseille or any other club should have had to stump that to squire him.
Giving auba the new contract was absolutely insane as was letting Laca run his down
We should have had about £80m in fees for these 4 players alone
Pierre
Yeah, I agree it’s hard to account for. But you give us the answer daily: the wonder of Wenger and the magic of Mesut.
They need to get their fingers out regarding central midfield.
When I hear 60m or whatever it is for Raphina then that is just negligence in regards having a balanced transfer window.
The selection of Xhaka, Elneny, Partey and Lokonga is just not good enough for a team that proclaims CL football.
The problem is they will just not move any of these players on Lokonga and Partey excused of course.
I have no idea why they continue to leave us short in overall quality in central midfield.
Ishola70
Raphina is a quality player and if he goes to any of our rivals that will help them immensely . I’d rather he be here with us . And when we add Tielemans to the midfield it does look enough . Xhaka can play Europa atleast .
Divine
If there is a central midfield acquistion along with Raphina then fair enough.
I have doubts that we will see this new central midfielder though.
Nope UN, you said 50.
But I’m just being a depressed lunatic picking on nothing
Un,
also every day of the week I’d have gone the Chelsea route in midfield.
White needs to have pre assists to his name if he is to live up to Pedro’s standards.
I’m comfortable with the midfield situation. There’s plenty of time for incomings as of yet.
Rich
I’m hoping with Raphinha coming in that ESR would be getting more game time centrally with Saka
As Pierre said, those two do have a great understanding
We have to find a way of getting ESR on the pitch more as when he’s firing he adds so many dimensions to our game
He can do it all
Tr7, I agree on the sentiment.
But is Martinez going to be better than even xhaka in cm??? If he is then I’ll sign my lease to pay 25% of my total income to Arsenal getting him in.
Doesn’t take much to get some of my wage onto someone else’s books since xhaka came in 😂
Goober
I think if we get tielemans then we have the superior midfield between us and chelsea
I’m not even a midfielder by my lowly trade. But we are so many levels below the top level. Despite the fact we played 2 good games a season against top opposition.
Fucking Norwich had good games against top teams.
We had absolute shockers to anyone who pressed hard
Un, I like to think so too!.
It’s the fact that most likely tielemans will be worth xhaka for a lot of the time that’s the real problem. Worse than xhaka partey for sure
With not worth
Spending 55 mil plus on Raphinha will look terrible of we have Xhaka as a starter come the end of the window. We are literally a Partey injury away from having a young CM and two tested 29 year olds that won’t be good enough for 4th again. This would be like the Wenger years where we signed attacking midfielders when we clearly had shortages in CBs, GKs and DMs. But I am willing to wait to see how it turns out. I have a sneaky feeling that Tielemans or any CM that comes in is dependent on how many… Read more »
It’s massive for me to admit. But xhaka out did himself this season. Yet we were still bang average in the centre for the most part. We play so slow and so wide. The horse shoe isn’t a figment of imagination. It’s a figment of actual watching is play. Either from the back or when we’re in the opposition half when they are defending deep block. We always look to the wings. Xhaka is a crucial part of our defensive setup and our attacking play. He lacks severely in both those aspects. Un, you’re calling for a baller to replace… Read more »
Newcastle are very smart since January. Hugo Etikite (when it gets done) , Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett are all good signings. Trippier is also a good player and will give them a decent couple of years. Nick Pope is also a very good pickup for 8 mil. And they are in negotiations for Botman. The only thing they bombed on was wood for 25 mil. And they were desperate to not get relegated. They are adding the right type of experience for low transfer fees and signing high potential players for good fees. By next summer they will be a… Read more »
Yeah wood for 25m is a funny one.
But he’s been a quality player in the league so if we can get 50 for iwobi then I’ll give wood that price haha
40*
Xhaka needs a system to guide him to play football. He has been his best self since Arteta came in. Still he isn’t pressuring up the pitch like we want to, and he isn’t winning balls and tackling up the pitch. He never ventures forward than the middle third of the pitch. He is a good passer but he won’t break teams down with an elite pass. He isn’t incisive enough to be a No 8 for a great team. If he was more athletic and more agile he would have been a player like Xabi Alonso in nature, a… Read more »
Goober
Martinez has played as a DM in the past and done well.
We already have Gabriel, White, Saliba and Holding in defense, doesn’t make much sense to sign him as a CB. I would not want us to spend 40M to sign a back up for Tierney. Martinez signing makes sense only when he is signed as a DM who can play left back and central defense when required otherwise it will be a kind of a luxury signing.
Honestly, I am quite stunned by Raphina rumors.
If we can’t fit, ESR and Martinelli in the starting lineup, we have Fabio Viera on the books and now Raphina?
Fabio Viera has amzaing stats, and for that $$, you will think he is a starter.
Same with Lopez. Where is all this $$ coming from?
The Zinchenko talk has virtually evaporated. Tielemens seems to be sitting on the phone having been put on hold. Xhaka is still here. Some people need to take a pause for the cause. We have fans salivating over the new look squad, sharing line ups that include players we’ve not signed. Until ink is on paper, people are getting ahead of themselves. Just for context, so far we have signed Turner, Marquinhos and Vieira. That’s it. One is a back up keeper and the other two have 87 senior appearances between them. We *could* and we *might* sign any of… Read more »
Inside right.Spot on about Melo.Hope it’s more the Italian press trying to bin him off to us.The laugh is the player Juve are after is also heavily linked to us as an alternative to Tielemans.(Piss taking f** kers.)offload their shit to us ,to buy who we’re linked with?
The Italian press have a hard on for Juve in the same way ours does for Manure.
TBH, I couldn’t give a rats Arse who Newcastle are signing.
Un The point I made is that the players, which I listed are unwanted and in most cases on wages which are grossly inflated. Bellerin and Torreira may be on paper worth £15 million in the transfer market, but when you factor in the wages as well it presents a problem. Bellerin is currently on £100K pw = £5.2 million per annum. Do you think that Real Betis are able to cover both costs? I doubt it. Fiorentina pulled a fast one on us. They may have sold Vlahovic for a big fee which I believe is being paid by… Read more »
Xhaka is best in a system for sure Habesha.
But our attacking play has got worse and worse having an absolute slug in midfield.
If Arteta wants to be city lite. Xhaka isn’t there.
If he wants to be Liverpool. Xhaka isn’t there.
If he wants to be Top 4. Xhaka is not the first man on the team sheet.
Not calling you out on this. I know you know haha. It’s just mind numbing seeing him on the team sheet every week.
Yep tr7, that is exactly how I see it too!
Pedro’ celebrating 220k pw for Jesus but moaning about 140k pw for Pepe. Talented player that Arteta couldn’t make work. What happens when in 2 years we have to shift Jesus cos he’s “garbage”? If we were going to sign Jesus on 220k why not pay 70m for Osimhen and give him 120k?? Much more upside than Jesus and more exciting. And you know, fits the striker profile that Pedro was so sure the board decided on.. I was making an argument for Jesus only cos I thought we would sign him for circa 30m and 120-150k pw. Anything above… Read more »
Mystic.
Apparently this season we are going for broke.
When a30-40m cm could have helped us get cl last season
I love the sentiment from edu. Yeah we sign young and expect these boys to be here for the duration of their contracts.
We all know how that goes.
Arteta misses out on cl next season and Saka is gone
A system to accommodate xhaka is crab football.
He excels at crab football with time to play a ball. Pl has shown he isn’t it for us
Goobergooner
I’ve decided to be as positive about things as I possibly can, so in respect to Xhaka, I can only add one more thing.
He is not, never has been and never will be, the answer to Arsenal’s problems.
The sooner he is gone, the better for all of us.
Goober absolutely. You can’t have aspirations to be at the top with Xhaka in your team. He is just about Europa league level. And that’s what we have been this past few years. Dark Hei Jesus 45 mil Raphinha 55 to 60 mil Viera 30 mil Lisandro 35 to 40 mil. That is around 160 to 170 mil. We are looking at a 150 mil net spend in my opinion. And They probably think they can sell around 40 to 50 mil worth of players. Torreira, Leno, AMN, Mari, Bellerin, Nelson, Pepe will all be sold. Fortunately for us, all… Read more »
Hahahaha Graham! That is my kind of positivity!
Yes. Getting rid of our worst player makes us better
So much sunshine on this board today!
Note – this article was written by Edu’s wife. 😀
The press and media keep on suggesting that Gabriel Jesus will earn £220K pw. Frankly
who is the source of this figure. I doubt that it comes from Arsenal.
I suspect that the basic wage is much lower and that it includes bonuses and add ons based
on club and player’s performance.
You need only look at the transfer fee paid by Arsenal for Vieira. We are not paying £34 million for this player. We have agreed a fee of £29.8 million plus add ons if certain targets by team and player are achieved.
Goobergooner
“White needs to have pre assists to his name if he is to live up to Pedro’s standards.”
If White could ping a ball like liandro Martinez we are looking at a player who could have multiple assists and pre assists ….but sadly he can’t., though i do think white is a decent enough player.
Hahaha Pierre. I have nothing against white.
I want him to succeed. And he isn’t shit.
But when you only have partey who wants the ball in midfield, even a “maestro” in the back line will struggle.
Building from that back is a shit idea considering our backline was only ‘bad’ at playing out from the back.
Midfield is the absolute key and I’ll never say otherwise
50m for white is a proper score for Brighton.
And that is the thing I don’t like about Arteta. Pedro sold him as this world class coach who can get the best from our squad. All he has done is under achieve. We were told his coaching ability would bridge at least small gaps. Well he’s now a cheque book manager who absolutely fucked up a season and I don’t have the faith of others that he will this season, considering Europa that he has already failed at, and the world cup. And the cups. I just don’t believe Arteta will get the best of the squad regardless of… Read more »
Goobergooner
Why are you making this so difficult for me?
I agree with everything you say.
I wish I could trust in Arteta like some do on here.
It’s very hard to be upbeat and positive when you weigh up all the negatives.
White is an excellent player, in the right system.
I rate white highly. But he came into our side to be creative DM type CB you don’t need if you have a decent midfield.
He also won’t get caught out as much on the front door if xhaka could do his job.
It’s going my head in
Doing not going
Hello guys, What were your predictions on where we would finish last season? I bet not one single one of them was higher than fifth, and I can only imagine a good number were lower. That would suggest Arteta is able to surpass your expectations. As for no CM, let’s wait and see. We can’t give them shit for overpaying, and then expect them to get a good negotiation team like Leicester to just accept a quick deal at bargain rates. Likely the same with Ruiz. So hypothetically, what would you prefer? We overpay £10m to get a quick deal… Read more »
Graham, ‘
‘I’m trying to be as positive as I can’ to
‘It’s hard to be upbeat..when you weigh up all the negatives’
Tough ask of yourself!
WW I”m sure they feel Tielemans can be picked up later in the window for a cheaper fee. One year left, Leicester have to sell if he doesn’t extend. His head’s been turned.
Jesus and Martinez may have more suitors so more important to get over the line, particularly Jesus. Other CMs would do if Tielemans goes elsewhere but CFs of qulaity less avaiable.
Despite our flashing the cash, we have to be better at our transfer negotiations
Bob N16
Don’t take things so seriously.
WW
Based on Squad, no European commitments, out of domestic cups early, 5th position would have been a minimum requirement.
Mistakes made and there were many, cost us.
I think we all know that a more competent manager/coach would have done better.
Graham ‘don’t take things so seriously ‘ pot, kettle, black comes to mind!
Wicked Willy.
I’m assuming yourself would have been one of the ones saying he had no Europe as distraction, top 4 is ours.
5th was an over achievement yes.
If he can best 5th this season, I’ll buy you a keg of beer.
People on here literally stated we’d have an advantage without any European football.
You won’t hear them say that ever again
So if no Europe was an advantage, 5th is the best Arteta willl get
Or wicked Willy. How about pay 35m for a midfielder desperately needed in January to get Top 4. Instead of lose out on it and then make every excuse under the sun why not buying is better.
It’s a fucking joke how low the standards have dropped.
Wasn’t even this low under Emery the bum
Goober
My aspiration this season was 5th. I thought it would take longer than it did for the summer purchased to bed in.
As stated, my aspiration is 3rd, but I’ll take 4th no problem, or maybe 5th and a convincing Europe League win.
If he doesn’t achieve that, happy to reciprocate on the beer 🙂
Emery over achieved for 5th.
Arteta over achieved for 2 8th places in a row 😂😂😂😂
Couldn’t make it up
As for CM in January, yes I would have liked to have gone for De Jong when he was less in favour. I had mixed feelings about Guimaraes, and wasn’t aware of any others available.
Wicked.
I’m sorry I’m a negative cunt. We’ve all been through a shite few years. Apparently it’s just catching up to me.
I’d buy you a beer regardless
I think I need to get on a spuds forum and just let loose 🤣🤣 instead of being a dick to fellow Gooners
“Hello guys,What were your predictions on where we would finish last season? I bet not one single one of them was higher than fifth, and I can only imagine a good number were lower. That would suggest Arteta is able to surpass your expectations.” After the summer we had and the circumstances surrounding our season (no Europe) many thought we’d make top 4 including me. Many here predicted a top 4 finish. It’s not our fault that Arteta fucked up the first 3 games that has us lower our expectations to relegation dog fight. Face it, a better manager this… Read more »
By the way, to continue my Jesus maths…if we pay Jesus 220k pw for 5 years on 45m Tf fee (rumoured numbers) we’d be laying out about 102m for him.
I’d we pay say 70m rising to 80m for Osimhen and 120k PW (which he will dive) for 5 years, we’d be laying out about 103m for the whole stuff.
Which player would gunners prefer? I know I would Osimhen!
And with Osimhen we get to maintain our youngest squad trophy (yay!) Higher potentials, upside, more exciting and similar goal numbers already. No brainer eh?
Osimhen is more of a risk. Like lukaku might bully the slow Italian league but find the premier league isn’t so fruitful.
I’m not convinced Osimhen is all that anyway. Not for £70-£80m
Spend that on Savic and Lisandro
Not to sound like a fanboy but Osimhen is built for the PL. He will so thrive here. His style is what coaches dream of and he scores ALOT of headers. Of course he can and will improve a lot in the right club and with the right coach
Mystic
Osihmen won’t move for anything less than £85 mil. Considering it is Napoli it might be more. And he already earns € 100k a week. He will want more than £120k if he joins. These numbers you quoted are a figment of your imagination.
Talking about what peoples aspirations were at the start of last season is completely irrelevant. Aspirations and expectations change all the time depending on the circumstances and timing. If a boxer who is the underdog before a fight wins the first 11 rounds and then gets knocked out in the 12th, would they think that’s OK, I was an underdog before the fight anyway? No, they would be gutted that they fucked it up in the last round when they had it in their hands. Telling people what their aspirations were or weren’t is arrogant beyond belief and stems partly… Read more »