On the first day of January...............

[ianlfc]

That's such a waste of talent for me.

Giovinco was the same - not Insigne's level, but left European far too soon - think it must be 6 or 7 years or so ago now (?) and I think he's still "only" 34.

You're wondering why a 30 year old (31 in june) is signing a 4 year deal worth over £11 million a year ?

[Insidious]

You're wondering why a 30 year old (31 in june) is signing a 4 year deal worth over £11 million a year ?

I absolutely "get it" from Insigne's perspective of course. He is going to get a truckload of cash. Good for him.

I suppose for someone like me who is earning modest-normal money who isn't very materialistic I find it hard to see the differences between £80k per week to £100k per week, or £100k per week to £120k per week and so on and so forth.

In the fictional World where I got paid "big" money I'd be very happy if I could buy a big plot of land (equivalent to a couple of farms) and rejuvenate it to be a Nature reserve, with a modest admittance fee and courses families could come along to with a view to learning how they can help Nature and they could see certain species more easily at the Reserve to motivate them to take more control in their own areas. Also a House with the best possible views in the place for my parents to enjoy their remaining years in.

Maybe that would take £2m - maybe £8m - I don't know - in terms of an initial wad of capital. But once I had that and it was self-sustaining, provided I had food, shelter, water, clothes and the ability to get a car and camera every 10 years or so, I'd be very happy.

In REAL life I'll settle for the above-listed stuff, without the Nature reserve. Shelter, food, clothes, car, occasional camera upgrade. Perhaps some more expendable income so I could more easily make specialised nestboxes for species that need something a little different to what you get in your garden centre, such as Kestrels and Barn Owls - and instal trail cameras.

In short I am absolutely the wrong person to chat to on this subject I couldn't be arsed between the difference between 3 Supercars and 4, or a second swimming pool, or a 55th pair of trainers - whatever these lads do. If Insigne is (or he wants further security for his extended family) then good luck to him. I guess I don't like seeing talented players who "should" be playing in the top five Leagues, the Champion's League and the Europa League, entertaining the audiences (stadium, pub and armchair alike) drift off to play Soccer-Ball when someone Fort Knox on the door.

You're privileged to get to play for a Club steeped in history. The concept of chucking that just goes over my head as I'd play for Liverpool if I had to pay to play, as millions of fans would - or whoever they support.

It is what it is. Just doesn't sit well. He has been at Napoli a long time and could have been a Totti, Gerrard, Maldini sort of figure if he continues to play at Napoli until he can play no more. It's a rare thing - a dying thing - and I just find it a little sad.

[Steveo]

You can console yourself with being infinitely more enlightened than most footballers Sid. True wealth. They need the money far more than you do because they lack the imagination.

Despite their wealth I do feel sorry for most of them. They lose their childhood really. It’s pretty brutal to make it as pro and then you have to be a slave to the game for a good while.

Obviously I can’t speak for all players but in a way they actually have a pretty poor life. At least that’s how it seems to me.

Here’s hoping you do get that land and nature reserve, a far more deserving cause than just another stash for a footballer who has more money than sense.

[Kev0909]

few rumours of thiago being out a lot longer than expected for the season...... hopefully just that bullshit.

If true I give up with him, and a few others need to fuck off too

[reddownunder]

If Barca are willing to pay close to the same amount as what we bought him for I would let Thiago go this summer.

[Steveo]

Agree with both - quality is great and we need/needed that higher level, but we need a player than can play. Probably seems harsh on him as he arrived in the midst of a pandemic, but we are carrying 2 passengers already in Keita and Oxlade after losing Gini, no way we can carry another.

Be interesting to see how many minutes all 3 clock up this season combined and compare with Gini’s from the last few seasons with us.

[Joetan991]

Total net spend 2017-2021

Man City – £490.96million
Man Utd –*£444.91million
Arsenal –*£336.99million
Tottenham –*£202.09million
Chelsea –*£180.07million
Liverpool – £147.07million

Do not expect we spend now and forever.

[Nineteenx]

If Barca are willing to pay close to the same amount as what we bought him for I would let Thiago go this summer.

I'd go very big after the Monaco lad Tchouameni right now and if a deal can be struck let Thiago go to Barcelona this window, cut our fucking losses early, as fantastic a player as he is by his own merit and in his own right, he hasn't been a good signing, he just isn't what we need or needed, a slower pace league like La Liga or one team league in which he plays for the team with an embarrassment of riches compared to all the others is a much better fit for him

[Nineteenx]

Get me Tchouameni, MBappe, Bellingham and Bremer on the phone THEN we'll see how either of the petro dollar first eleven's like it up em!

[teesred]

Agree with both - quality is great and we need/needed that higher level, but we need a player than can play. Probably seems harsh on him as he arrived in the midst of a pandemic, but we are carrying 2 passengers already in Keita and Oxlade after losing Gini, no way we can carry another.

Be interesting to see how many minutes all 3 clock up this season combined and compare with Gini’s from the last few seasons with us.

The midfield is in a poor state, a lot of us have thought it for a while but the last month or so it has been highlighted massively and the summer surely has to see some big movement of deadwood out and quality brought in.
It's very unlikely but it could seriously do with atleast 3 additions, 2 of whom slot straight into the first team.
Regardless of their contracts losses have to be cut on Keita and Ox, we simply can't carry players like that anymore. Coupled with Milner and Hendo ageing it's pretty much killed our title challenge due to there being nothing brought in over last summer. In short a truly fucked up calculated risk.
We cant rely on them at all. The big IF is will there be a big shake up? Probably not.