3 minutes ago, big blue said:

It is massive money, but I just don't see the majority of top players taking the Chinese up on their offer. 

How many kids from the top footballing nations are growing up with dreams of playing for shanghai in front of 5000 fans?

Wages are also on the increase here aswell, so in 5 years time, China would have to dangle even more money tempt players. 

I still think the majority of players would rather play at a top club in Europe for 250k a week, than play in China for 3 times that. 

Every top player in europe has most likely turned China down so far already. The likes of oscar, hulk, and even if costa goes, it wouldn't change that imo.

 

Same can be said for who wanted to come and play with Crystal Palace or Leicester but money talks in football especially now. Not many top clubs in Europe can afford 250k for a player, we wouldn't be able to offer that as it stands. 

Not all will move but you offer a player enough and a big majority will IMO. Not many seen Oscar as that type and look what happened. 

Football isn't really about passion anymore, money is taking over the game and players will follow where the money is just like anyone else would.  

5 minutes ago, Chelsbear said:

Same can be said for who wanted to come and play with Crystal Palace or Leicester but money talks in football especially now. Not many top clubs in Europe can afford 250k for a player, we wouldn't be able to offer that as it stands. 

Not all will move but you offer a player enough and a big majority will IMO. Not many seen Oscar as that type and look what happened. 

Football isn't really about passion anymore, money is taking over the game and players will follow where the money is just like anyone else would.  

But how much money does a player really need? Would messi leave barca for money? 

Also the structure for the Chinese league only allows for 4/5 foreign players per team, so the quality will never compete. 

There will always be players chasing money, but I think the nature of sport will always be competition. I dont think world class footballers have got to where they are chasing money, which is why I think the majority will want to compete at the highest level, and go down in history. 

I guess will have to agree to disagree on this one though mate. Hopefully China nick a couple off our rivals before it all dies down. 

Another way to see it, contract negotiation tools..  I don't want us to break the bank for costa, hazard's wage is huge enough already, nobody should earn more than him.. I think, instead of lamenting the chinese interference, we could see this as an opportunity.. 

Look at costa's age and his attitude when things don't go his way, selling him for anywhere around 100mils isn't a bad business at all, more over when it's to china where it's completely irrelevant to any competiton we're going to compete, it's not like we're selling him to 1 of our rivals..

 

It's really simple here, if the player's head is turned then we just have to deal with it with pride.. It's interesting to see whether playing in champions league have any real influence on players..

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Zeta said:

Where are these chinese clubs getting so much money?

from what I've read it seems to be state aid which would be unlawful in Europe - Chinese cities are bank rolling their football clubs to draw business to the city (or something like that!)

- other thought - if this continues it will probably speed up a European Super League. It'd be the only way the top European clubs could protect their business. And if that happens, anyone outside the top 6/7 in the premier league is toast  

Edited January 14, 20179 yr by carrickblue
thought of something else!

most players in this era of football are mercenaries, and will go where the money is. if they're not being paid enough, they will move. south americans are notoriously bad for this, mainly because they come from poorer backgrounds and the money is important for them, and they just enjoy playing football as a career. 

Edited January 14, 20179 yr by enigma

Man. Really kills out season if true. Always drama at this club.

I blame myself. I shouldn't have changed my username and avatar when things were going so well.

Well there you go.

the spanish roberto carlos has spoken

Edited January 14, 20179 yr by havelschayes

NBC analysts dont believe Conte...hoping against hope for a Chelsea crisis hahah

Anyone else think we should stick with this formation next week even if Costa is back? I just think we play more fluid and are more threatening with those front three. Move Willian for Fabregas and perhaps bring on Costa in the 60th minute if we need more goals.

edit. Meant to post this in the match thread.

Edited January 14, 20179 yr by Ivanov87

Did Conte call him stupid in that interview because of the training injury  or did I miss hear it? 

 

4 hours ago, bola said:

Another way to see it, contract negotiation tools..  I don't want us to break the bank for costa, hazard's wage is huge enough already, nobody should earn more than him.. I think, instead of lamenting the chinese interference, we could see this as an opportunity.. 

Look at costa's age and his attitude when things don't go his way, selling him for anywhere around 100mils isn't a bad business at all, more over when it's to china where it's completely irrelevant to any competiton we're going to compete, it's not like we're selling him to 1 of our rivals..

 

It's really simple here, if the player's head is turned then we just have to deal with it with pride.. It's interesting to see whether playing in champions league have any real influence on players..

 

 

 

Nice salient point at the end that makes one wonder, especially under the circumstances now with players heading towards China. Obviously it is the biggest club cup in the world, no doubt about it and it carries it's history and prestige. But perhaps certain players in the past when they have proclaimed they want to play in the champions league has correlated with the fact that recurrent champions league qualifiers in the bigger leagues in Europe (usually due to the fact that they are the richest clubs in Europe as well) and can afford the best wages. Obviously I'm being a 'captain obvious' here now, but it will be an interesting year or two in football to see who goes over to China for the riches and avoids the Champions league in the process, and we'll see how big a factor what has been touched on is the case.

17 hours ago, Brutos said:

If we spank Leicester tomorrow how sweet will it be to stick it to the media

Very sweet indeed Brutos 

pretty vague answers by conte

Very sweet indeed Brutos [emoji3]

Absolutely let's see what else they will try next

where do you guys rank Costa among the world's best strikers? there arent that many truly elite ones...I'd say he's definitely top 5, maybe 4th behind Zlatan, Aguero, and Lewandowski...maybe Benzema Neymar and Aubamayeng to round out the top group...Suarez is a filthy prick so I wont include him

Edited January 14, 20179 yr by DrogbaIsKing

2 minutes ago, DrogbaIsKing said:

where do you guys rank Costa among the world's best strikers? there arent that many truly elite ones...I'd say he's definitely top 5, maybe 4th behind Zlatan, Aguero, and Lewandowski...maybe Benzema or Aubamayeng to round out the top 5

Suarez?

Just now, PedroMendez said:

Suarez?

I suppose Suarez does belong in...Obviously Messi/CR7 are the two best but they're unreal all over the pitch

I'd say for true strikers Lewandowski and Suarez are better than him and then he is on the same level as Augero and Zlatan wouldn't put any one else in the top 5

I suppose second tier would be Higuain, Kane, Benzema, Aubameyang and soon to be Dyabala 

incidentally PEA is one guy I'd love to see in a Chelsea shirt and it would kill me if he goes to Arse

28 minutes ago, DrogbaIsKing said:

incidentally PEA is one guy I'd love to see in a Chelsea shirt and it would kill me if he goes to Arse

Are you really sure this guy is good enough though ? he doesn't even have any legs

 

14 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Are you really sure this guy is good enough though ? he doesn't even have any legs

 

I just cant spell the bar stewards name ever

1 hour ago, DrogbaIsKing said:

incidentally PEA is one guy I'd love to see in a Chelsea shirt and it would kill me if he goes to Arse

By Pea do you mean the lil pea, hernandez if so I think he only really works in a 2 up top doesn't have the attributes for a lone striker to me

would be decent if we go 3-5-2 though