Besides, I don't understand how a team of 28-30 year old players is somehow more exciting than twenty somethings. At least I find younger players more exciting to watch. But maybe we should just sell Branthwaite and sign someone closer to 30. 
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....and then those investments can be used to buy new young players we can sell for a profit in a few years....YAWNNNNNN. Buy the players to win a trophy in the upcoming season. Previous Message
A 28-year old on a five contract could cost a total of over 50 million and all that money is pretty much down the drain if he doesn't perform up to his pay. And even if he does live up to it, club would not recoup transfer fee.
A younger player will have smaller wages so they are easier to move forward and recoup at least some of the money. And if he progresses, club could make a big profit which could be further invested in the squad. Previous MessagePrevious MessagePrevious Message
and just letting one guy decide, instead of the shit show we had. Id also advise against spunking all the money up the wall on number 10s. Previous Message
Because that's what we tried and ended up with a bunch of players we couldn't get rid.
Signing players without sell-on value is a rat race at best where club never really moves forward because all the extra income goes into player costs and there is no increased income from sales. Previous Message
1st priority, do they improve the squad, next do they have a good attitude and do they tend to stay fit.
Age, sell on value, how they might develop, should be a fair way behind those factors. Keep it simple, buy the best team you can afford for the upcoming season. Previous Message
Not some intangible “good in the changing room” “does the important things no one notices” “premier league experience” vibes bullshit
All those players you mentioned there, except one 😉 where better than what we had and were pure quality Previous Message
It’s about desire & quality
Everyone turned their nose up to Paul Power - wasn’t he player of the season?
Gareth Barry similar - a good pro
Phil Neville - not the greatest player but he was as professional as they come?
Richard Gough - solid
We need some old heads out there & a mix of brains & fitness.
Plus the old ones might cost less money Previous Message
I was thinking about some of the argument's for signing mostly younger players. A couple Im not on board with at all....building for the future, or building a team around a bright young star.....that might work for one of the rich clubs, but not us, if a young player has a good enough season or seasons they are off, good for the bank balance but not necessarily for the team.
Finances are a different matter, buying young gives you a chance of a profit to reinvest....I cant argue with that one, but a bit shit isnt it, looking at players in terms of balance sheets.
I hope someone at that club is long term planning, but as a fan I want them to buy or loan the players to give us the best chance of winning a cup....not next season, this season. To be honest Ive pretty much given up on us building back to competing for the top spots year in year out, I dont think any amount of long term planning gets us there......but we could win a cup in any given season, so buy the players to increase the chances of that, if they are late 20s early 30s, so be it.
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on June 4, 2025, 9:36 pm, in reply to "