Spain who was infamously known as the perennial underachievers of world football has finally struck gold. They surely deserve the plaudits of being a dominant footballing nation for years to come. Viva Espana!
The focus now shifts to European clubs gearing up for the season that’s going to kick off. I must say the inflated markets that we are in football stars inflated prices ad salaries are a wonder in economics. Man City has sheiked up frenzy in acquisitions with star players from all over. The last 2 seasons that they have been in the frame to be the so called BIG club, they have gone ahead with a spending spree close to 220 million USD.
The WC has unearthed some great talents and names unheard of such as Mezut Ozil, Muller, Alexis Sanchez, Khadeira seem to be the buzzword among fans who want their clubs to sign them. But at what cost? The buoyancy of the market seems to o inflated that prices are of no concern. Clubs that have the financial power and muscle will invariably get those deals done in petro cash. I was surprised to hear the news that Barcelona a club run in a very organic fashion with their home grown talents nurtured and developed in Catalunia going to the bank to get a loan in order keep parity with payments.
An indicator of clubs taking mortgages and hedge funds to actually service debts has no relevance to highlight the way the game is heading. Man united has become largely skint despite being on the Forbes list as the richest club in the world. Sir Alex who has had a gripe about calling his squad sufficient on the contrary is wash away from the fact that the clubs yank owners are in a pile of debt and they would milk the brand as much as they can until another consortium takes over.
I must emphasize that with the arrival of star players and the big buck deals the expectation has loomed to extent where fans might call for the head of managers who might not be able to deliver (beyond their control). At the same time the optimism of more excitement through competition makes the leagues lively.
There is a strong lobby from the UEFA chief Michel Platini who is now planning to impose the need for a cap on spending and player wages. Needless to say it’s a wise move but cringe worthy players who could sell loyalty for a bigger pay should rake in the moolah as long as clubs don’t adopt a sense of austerity in spending. The saying everything has its price hold well in these cases.
Overall, the case of mega deals and huge transfer pay outs will remain. Question is who will take the brunt of servicing these deals? Will the fans land up paying more for a season ticket? Will the owners pledge more funds and mortgages in buying and spending on players and their wages? Will the debts contrive a clubs development?
Serious questions in the name of football that is going into the 21st century.
Darel Luiz
