Was Diaz sold as Wirtz wanted his No7shirt?

[Nineteenx]

There isn’t going to be that player available in the summer let Chiesa go as part exchange and Gakpo too if necessary

[Steveo]

Justme is spot on - it was all about the money and the fact he was approaching 30…

And to those who wonder why it keeps being mentioned. Take it up with Sturridge - here explains to the idiot Neville after the 0:0 at The Emirates… about the loss of top players and the fact that those who have been brought have yet to step up to anything close to that level, and why those who were here have dropped off.

[Nineteenx]

He doesn’t explain it as well as me but it’s a start 😂😂

Doesn’t mention the insistence on short passing and everything going through Wirtz

Or the press and counter press being poor

[Steveo]

He’s a footballer they aren’t the most eloquent.. But love the way he handles Neville.

[Nineteenx]

So do I this is exactly what gobshites like him have been waiting for and hoped for last season

JokeShop came here thrn in expectation of it and was nowhere to be seen when it went well playing Jurgen’s way and we won the title

[jozza800]

Justme is spot on - it was all about the money and the fact he was approaching 30… ]

Like giving a 33 year old and 34 year old the two biggest contracts the club has ever handed out?

[JockStrap]

Like giving a 33 year old and 34 year old the two biggest contracts the club has ever handed out?

Checkmate.

[Steveo]

Like giving a 33 year old and 34 year old the two biggest contracts the club has ever handed out?

Erm.. both club legends and both with their contracts up..

I get the irony, but you’re looking at those two deals in a vacuum. You have to look at the Diaz to Bayern move to see the full picture.

The reality is that Diaz was the "sacrificial lamb" that made the Mo and Virgil deals possible. If we don’t bank that £60m+ for Lucho while he’s still in his prime (28/29), there is no world where FSG sanctions record-breaking wages for two players deep into their 30s. The model just wouldn't allow it.

It’s basically a "Sentiment Tax." Let’s be honest - if the club had sold (let go) Mo or Virgil this summer, the fans would have been at the gates with pitchforks. They aren’t just players; they’re the entire spine and culture of the club. Keeping them was a PR and leadership necessity, but it’s expensive.

Same situation as when they tried the ST price hike.

Same situation when they tried their ESL.. Remember..?

By cashing in on Diaz at his absolute peak value, they recouped the loss of giving big money to our aging legends. The club had stalled on contracts for all 3 don't forget - only Trent was unswayed.

Cleared the path for a younger, high-ceiling replacement (like Wirtz).

Managed the risk. It’s percieved to be much easier to find a pacy winger to replace Diaz’s output ( Maybe they are that blind they felt Cody was worth the money Diaz wanted ) than it is to replace a 1-of-1 generational talent like Salah or the leadership of VVD.

No Jozza that's WHY what Justme said - is 'spot on'.


Both Virgil and Mo were 'unsellable assets'. Shouldn't need mention.. Once again Listen to Daniel shut down Neville. He nails it.

[Nineteenx]

We just need to future proof better and create a culture as it should be that you take less in each new contract after 32/33

[justme]

Like giving a 33 year old and 34 year old the two biggest contracts the club has ever handed out?

we were never going to get money for them? like Steveo said their contracts were up. It was easier to give them the wages and not buy replacements and then also pay the new players wages..Both have been utter tripe since. but you can't really consider that.. all you can see is how they performed last season and that was outstanding