10 Aug 2016 06:55:01
Something to consider.

These astronomical fees for individuals seen this window and previous for the premier league, in my opinion could back fire in the next few years!

I know TV money is the driving force behind this, but the knock on affect could be catastrophic for grass roots and lower leagues.

We are already seeing the likes of foreign players who are mediocre in my opinion waging huge price tags, and now UK players such as Stones being moved on for £50 million or as good as!

This can't continue surely? . The premier league should be showcasing footballing talent for aspiring youngsters NOT how much money you can be sold for!

Paul Pogbas photo shoots of him at Carrington, looked more like a Rapper or something from the ghetto!

I'm sorry but it's ruining football and the ethos of the game in my opinion!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see in TV soon a reality show with PL clubs involved. Because more and more money will need to come in to subsidise the ever growing money for transfers and wages!

1.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 07:27:02
Without intervention nothing will change, it's the free market.

2.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 09:06:56
the industry will go with the money, unfortunately.

3.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 09:26:20
Its a damn shame really, letw just try and enjoy the football and the love of our team.

4.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 09:55:36
I am not sure what is wrong with it. Football club revenues from TV and commercial deals has increased 3 or 4 or 5 times in the last 10 years. As a result, you would expect that player costs and wages to go up roughly in line with that. Just because the industry I work in did not see that kind of increase doesn't mean it is not justified in football.

TV companies and commercial interests pay what they can because they can then make more money. So the $50m for Stones. well, Rio cost 30m more than 10 years ago. So adjusted for football inflation Stones is not that expensive or Rio would have been MUCH more expensive now. Rooney was 18 and cost 30m in 2004. That was one of the highest fees paid even for a footballer and certainly for a teenager.

What I am saying is that these numbers are relative only to the industry. Companies and football clubs can monetise, so they spend it.

5.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 10:01:30
Didn't united start it last year with martial for 60 odd mil.

Sanchez to Munich gor similar and now pogba.

Your not buying players, but brands.

Pogba is the face of addidas, so are united. Maybe better to habr them together?

If united sell mote shirts now thanks to the likes of pogba then they will conyiue to be able to ask for the same ot more in negotiations sith add!

6.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 11:11:38
The shirt contracts from Nike/ Addidas etc do not work like that. They pay clubs a flat fee (20m per year or 1m per year or whatever) . It's the shirt brands that keep the revenues from shirt sales. So whether United bought Pogba or not theoretically does not matter. Addidas will still pay their fixed annual fee to them. Then the revenues from direct shirt sales go to Addidas whether they sell 1 shirt or 1 billions shirts.

7.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 11:14:10
And there is nothing wrong with that. Players are no longer only workers on the football pitch, they are also valuable tools to sell other stuff, including t-shirts, tickets, TV rights, etc.

The more value you create for the organization, the bigger salary you ask for, therefore it cost more for the employee to hire (or buy) you.

Works the same with all the other professions in the world for decades of years now.

8.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 12:02:53
I think we need to stop trying to rationalise the numbers, in simple terms these numbers make sense to the accountants and that's all that's relevant, everything else is media spin.

Youth development is fine, every football star was a youth player somewhere, football is fundamentally a bottom fed profession and that can't change. I think the problem you're referring to is youth development at top clubs and I think we will see less and less players coming through. Instead Stones, Sterling and Alli will be the norm, they break through at a 'smaller' club and then get hoovered up by bigger clubs.

9.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 12:24:40
Paulo, I thought it was the Bale transfer that initiated this huge hike it prices. absolutely love Gareth Bale, but in no way was he worth £80ish million. I think it's really unfortunate.

10.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 14:37:01
No player is ever worth what they are paid for in these cases.

11.) 10 Aug 2016
10 Aug 2016 21:46:17
Why should the premier league be a 'showcasing talent for aspiring youngsters'?

I don't want us to be a showcase, I want us to win.

Why should Pogbas' public appearance matter as long as it doesn't detract from his performance? After all John Barnes was a rapper, (er. well. kind of. )

Sorry Tilly, but you sound like you're about to write a letter to the Express about the 'youth of today' lest you burst with indignation.