29 Jan 2020 18:22:36
I'm writing an EPQ (extended project question) for my A levels, basically a 4000 word essay on a topic. I chose the title 'Is money ruining English football? '. Personally I would love to get some thoughts on this as its a very divisive topic. Perhaps one of the Ed's could give their viewpoint (obviously provided the time) .

Many Thanks, Monkey.

{Ed002's Note - It depends what you mean by ruin. There is more money in the English game due primarily to television rights. The money in England is spread generally by success and the higher earning sides in respect of sponsorship brings more to the the successful sides than the other sides. The wages are out of hand and FFP is there to provide some protection to the clubs - but some are riding over it hoping to avoid being pulled up on it - Everton are a good example, 85% of before tax turnover goes on player wages. That is not sustainable, hence the massive losses and the only way to avoid a transgression is significant agreed sales before the end of June. But debt is now being secured against the club itself which is worrying. Liverpool and Klopp changed policy and have been looking to buy success - and that is working so it gives the opportunity to clear debt and place the club in a strong financial position. Chelsea and Manchester United are cash rich still but need to make sure any losses are not sustained - recent losses by Chelsea can be accounted for by changing staff, not being in the Champions League and completing the purchase of the leasehold on another stadium. Manchester United are in a sticky position due to the need for a structure change and a major rebuild and not knowing who will be in charge for that. Arsenal are in a bad place because they stupidly spent the savings fund in the summer on a player worth perhaps a quarter of what they paid and having a management structure which is laughable. So the money itself is perhaps allowing clubs to run a little wild and even borrow more - in that respect some clubs are playing a very, high-risk game - Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham are examples.}

1.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 19:39:18
Great response from ed02. On a different angle, the players are pampered now, there is so much money invested in them that they are wrapped in cotton wool. This has had an effect on tackling. Which like it or not has always been a massive part of the game. Great centre mids like graham souness, Steve mcmahon (sorry bout the spelling) Roy Keane, Patrick viera and even Steven Gerrard who was one of the last great crunching tacklers, before it changed. How would they fare in today's game? All good enough in other areas, but it's fair to say players like vinnie Jones etc wouldn't have made it.

This leads you on to another point. Does the lack of dangerous tackling allow for better "football"? It allows the creative players like coutinio, Messi etc to play their game. But I would argue that seeing couts play a 40 yard pass around two defenders and right on the boot of the forward is as good to watch as Steven Gerrard chasing a forward for 30 yards and winning the ball with a big slide tackle.

2.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 19:45:18
Ed 02 👌👌✌.

3.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 21:25:06
Ed I know you really don't talk figures probably more for oursake than we realise but in your opinion how could the football industry be made more sustainable and stop teams getting into financial trouble could a total wage cap be part of a solution and/ or possibly scrap transfer fees I don't know if these are viable and seriously doubt they would ever come into football but would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

{Ed002's Note - For most clubs sticking to FFP and working within their means will work. There is a 70% upper guide for wages which suits clubs with a higher turnover. Clubs like Everton who have a low turner and then spend 85% of it on wages cannot be sustained beyond the short term.}

4.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 22:31:27
So Ed- you think Everton could in all probability be close to being in a world of pain?
How will the new Stadium affect this?

{Ed002's Note - The building of the stadium does not impact FFP but it will plunge the club in to significantly more debt.}

5.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 22:51:39
{ed002 . Liverpool and Klopp changed policy and have been looking to buy success. }

This is not an argument ed002, because I agree with you, we did spend a lot of money to be where we are today . But I think we should also add apart from the freak year that Leicester won the PL, every other winner have "bought success" as you put it . Man United and Arsenal spent loads of money to establish them selves in the 90s . Its no coincidence when Arsenal stopped the spending they started falling down the pecking order . Blackburn, Chelsea and City spending is well publicised . The only way to win it is by spending big (on the right players) . Something else worth noting, near enough 100% of LFC recent player buys have been great success, maybe Keita is a hit and miss, but he done well in the few games he played.

{Ed002's Note - You are missing the point - they changed policy.}

6.) 29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020 23:12:33
Wow. Could we be witnessing the demise of Everton? Really hope not. Great club. Massive. They need European football to save them. And domestic Cup runs. Hopefully next year Carlos will have them up there.

7.) 30 Jan 2020
30 Jan 2020 00:06:52
The interesting question IMO is how it fits into a broader topic of globalization and online/ media and how this has effectively been moving the world from an era of supporting local teams/ local talent/ local shops etc. to fueling an increasing concentration on fewer global brand names and global super stars.

That globalization is what is driving the increasing concentration of revenues into fewer and fewer teams, and more and more money into competitions such as the PL, and champions league via TV rights, and also driving ideas such as breakaway super leagues to concentrate things even further.

The increasing concentration of riches, is what is driving salaries to unbelievable levels due to the the intense competition for the few players that can make the difference (both on the pitch and off it) .

How much should players be allowed to benefit from this dynamic is a fair question. Does the fact the system is designed to concentrate wealth mean individuals should be able to capitalise and make hundreds of thousands of pounds a week? Or does a better system that recognises the reality of globalization and spreads the riches more fairly make sense?

The same dynamics can be seen in many other areas of the economy, such as the increasingly small group of global companies (Amazon, Apple etc. ) that dominate the market, and the increaing differention of wealth between those top CEOs and the workers as a result.

In this regard, football is simply a reflection of a far more global issue, where the centralization of wealth is a byproduct of the world we live in today, and would argue for some checks and balances to be put in place to ensure a more sustainable and equitable system.

{Ed002's Note - The primary driver of the pan European breakaway is related to UEFA which is why UEFA and FIFA are so supportive of alternate plans. They are looking to grap as much new money as they can hence the proposals to include Chinese and other FAr Eastern and Asian clubs in the mix.}

8.) 30 Jan 2020
30 Jan 2020 00:25:16
Ed. 002 Klopp and the club changed policy. So what? If what was stated before wasn't working, they changed to a policy that blatantly is working. Businesses and people within them change all the time. Being flexible can be considered a good quality in the pursuit of success. Mourinho was quoted as saying, 'I would never work for Tottenham'. When asked what changed, he said 'Chelsea fired me! '. You mentioned this when I asked about a run down on current managers a month or so back. No one is arguing with you about your facts but why keep focusing on it? It's not an issue that you will find many opposing supporters railing on Liverpool about.

{Ed002's Note - What is wrong with you - it is a simple factual statement given in response to a question. It has nothing to do with Mr Mourinho. Try not to obsess about it.}

9.) 30 Jan 2020
30 Jan 2020 00:41:06
Ed02 a change in policy doesn't matter if it delivers isn't it?

{Ed002's Note - Where did anyone say it mattered?}

10.) 30 Jan 2020
30 Jan 2020 10:25:18
Should FIFA be allowed to retain the somewhat dubious Registered Charity status it enjoys?

{Ed002's Note - Under the rules throught Europe and certainly in Switzerland then yes.}