Originally Posted by
Insidious
1. Good question - I think there will be cash that is "ear-marked" for things. One example of this is player contracts that expire in-and-around 2023 - Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Van Dijk, Firmino, Fabinho, Keita, Hendo, Ox all have contracts that expire around then (I may need to go back and check specifics but let's assume, until I'm otherwise corrected, that that info is right) - we have to factor in the wages that these guys will be earning (with wages likely to increase) as well as the possibility of bonuses (let's pretend a contract has a 20% bonus for a League win and that FSG have to assume we win to cover bases for the most "expensive" scenario) and as well as these wages, there's the fees to the agents which are large to say the least when such things are negotiated, particularly if a contract is going to be a "one last pay-day" type contract. Bear in mind we are doing this in an environment where we have no real grasp of revenue streams (when will fans be allowed back in, will all television stations honour contracts as financially hit folks cancel subscriptions, will sponsors be paying out to their fullest or trying to reduce pay-out deals) or how much loss might occur from as-yet-unknowns such as voiding of tournaments. We'll have money ear-marked for more things with Kirkby, money ear-marked for further stadium expansion, money ear-marked for further sponsorship deals to make up for those we have lost (Western Union are no longer a sponsor for example) and catering for wage increases from those who are pushing for first-team positions - not to mention the agent fees for THOSE negotiations as well. As a general rule agent fee / player wage / staff wage costs go up and up and up in a competitive market, where we are faced with revenue streams potentially stagnating or decreasing, plus stadium/Kirkby costs to factor in - which includes non-playing staff too - our wages are something like £310m a year all-in and that will only go up.
So that plays a part.
2. I'm not averse to spending - but I think spending needs to be justified. 97 points, 99 points. Let's say we bought Mbappe for £200m and finished on 100 points - was the £200m (not to mention the wages we would have to pay for the duration of a contract) "worth" getting one more point? I'd say not. Our current "level" if you will is that we are capable of challenging for the Premier League, with every chance of winning it - and capable of challenging for the Champion's League, with every chance of winning it. Realistically, without "sportswashing" that is as high a level as you can achieve - I would rather we sit on what money we have and purchase when the level shows signs of going down relative to what's around us. Chelsea will be better, yes. United will be better, yes. But will they close the gap enough in 20/21 to threaten our position as a League and European-Cup challenging team? It's a resounding no from me - I could be proven wrong of course, but I think both sides need AT LEAST another season - so why not "keep the powder dry" until 21/22 so we can spend when we actually "NEED" to, to increase the gap again?
That's my two cents. As long as we are able to challenge, massive spending isn't required. Where spending should come in is when you need to make a gap over a rival bigger (we finished 33 points ahead of United!!!!) or you need to close a gap on a rival (we finished 17 points ahead of City). People can point to our Atletico tie and say "ah, but if we had spent and we had better players....." but Cup football doesn't work that way - look at our side in 04/05 compared to the Juventus, Chelsea or AC Milan sides we defeated. Look at Di Matteo's run with Chelsea which included beating excellent Barcelona and Bayern Munich sides.
The other time to spend is when the side needs refreshed and for me, in an era where elite players can shine for longer than before, that isn't yet necessary. In 2 seasons time I could foresee the sale of one of the front three, but we certainly don't need to tear up the side and start over just yet - we can squeeze a LOT more juice from this team yet!
Just to add to this as well (as different points are getting strewn throughout different posts by multiple users all loosely discussing the same conversational thread) I'm aware you aren't anti-FSG, but there is some FSG-scepticism around from some of our fanbase, which is an opinion they're of course entitled to, much as you and I disagree with their stance.
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