Weekend Football

[Sanguine]

Don’t know why everyone still goes on about contracts. As we know, after the earlier court ruling, they ALL now mean diddly squat.

Well, holding pattern for now as the industry works out what it really all means.

Ultimately though, in the clubs' corner, the fact that any player that forces through a move will make that move with a reputation for forcing through a move - which might dissuade some.

[South Coast Royal]

Like a lot of people I hope all 3 sign new contracts and carry on playing for some time yet.

I take comfort though from when it was "who on earth can replace Keegan?".
Then a certain Kenny turns up and the rest is history.

I wonder if Bryan Mbeumo is as near a like-for like replacement for Salah as can be got.

[Royal Rother]

I can understand Liverpool's (possible) reluctance here.

Thing is with Salah, he's 32.

If they are going to offer him a 3 year contract (which is probably what he is after?) it really should be on reduced wages as it is almost inevitable he will decline over the next 3 years, and of course he is likely to be more injury prone as he gets older. No club wants a £500k pw bit part player on their books.

But he of course will want huge wages for the entire 3 years and I expect someone will be willing to pay it.

I think club and player need to find a suitable wage for a 1 year contract that keeps both parties happy. Maybe £600k pw would do it. If he's still putting in performances, same again for Year 2. Who knows?

Could cost the club more than if they agree a 3 year deal now and he does maintain his current levels, but reduces the inevitable risks associated with an ageing player.

It'll be interesting to see what evolves.

[Winston Biscuit]

Jack Grealish - no club goals in 2024. 14 goals in all comps over 3 1/3 seasons for Man City. £100M. 7th most expensive player ever in world football.

[Royal Rother]

Jack Grealish - no club goals in 2024. 14 goals in all comps over 3 1/3 seasons for Man City. £100M. 7th most expensive player ever in world football.

He’s contributed well for City, but has not evolved as the dynamic regular game-changing player he was becoming at Villa.

Shame really, but his progress as an exciting talent has been blunted by Pep’s demands.

Still, he’s won lots of stuff.

I’d like to see him move on as he’s probably still young enough to shake it off and progress again.

[Silver Fox]

I can understand Liverpool's (possible) reluctance here.

Thing is with Salah, he's 32.

If they are going to offer him a 3 year contract (which is probably what he is after?) it really should be on reduced wages as it is almost inevitable he will decline over the next 3 years, and of course he is likely to be more injury prone as he gets older. No club wants a £500k pw bit part player on their books.

But he of course will want huge wages for the entire 3 years and I expect someone will be willing to pay it.

I think club and player need to find a suitable wage for a 1 year contract that keeps both parties happy. Maybe £600k pw would do it. If he's still putting in performances, same again for Year 2. Who knows?

Could cost the club more than if they agree a 3 year deal now and he does maintain his current levels, but reduces the inevitable risks associated with an ageing player.

It'll be interesting to see what evolves.

It's not my money but I'd pay him whatever he wants, but hope that some Saudi non-league team doesn't double it for the lolz, there's not a lot you can do about that. he doesn't look like slowing down and I'd love to think he has Shearer's all time PL scoring record in his sights.

having said that, the comments over the weekend don't fill with a ton of hope that any of that might happen

[Royal Rother]

It's the idea of forking out £80m in wages to a player who, yes, could still be brilliant for (at least) 2 of the 3 years, but with no sell-on value at the end of 3 years that must be the question I suppose, when that £80m could be invested in a player who they could make a profit on at some point.

Then again, when you compare to other clubs' dealings.... oh, let's say Man Utd for e.g.... maybe it becomes a no-brainer.

Just one player - Antony... £84m, plus £10m pa for 4 years, with bugger all return on the pitch or potential resale value.

Making any comparisons to basket-cases is a bit silly I suppose, but in a climate where an Antony type deal exists you would think giving Salah what he wants might just be the sensible thing to do.

There, I've talked myself around.

[Sanguine]

I saw a thread on X that did some similar maths, RR. It was on the basis of £400k pw for two years, but same underlying point. You can't replace Salah for anything even approaching that cost, so it doesn't make sense to try to. And if he declines in 12 months (for me, I'll think he'll be a Ronaldo type and at his best until 36/37), then a Saudi club will grab him for £50m anyway.

[Whore Jackie]

He's currently on a 'basic' £350k pw. According to his agent, he actually earns at least £1m a week when image rights and playing targets are factored in.

Reckon that £400k pw two-year deal that Sanguine mentions will probably be enough. Wonder who they've got in a mind as a replacement. Mbeumo's an interesting shout. Wonder if Olise is on their radar.

[Sutekh]

He's currently on a 'basic' £350k pw. According to his agent, he actually earns at least £1m a week when image rights and playing targets are factored in.

Reckon that £400k pw two-year deal that Sanguine mentions will probably be enough. Be interesting to see who they've got in a mind as a replacement. Mbeumo's an interesting shout. Wonder if Olise is on their radar.

Olise has regularly been on their radar apparently but not necessarily as a Salah replacement. And that’s the thing, whatever happens at some point in the next 3 years Liverpool will have to spend mega bucks on finding the next Salah (unless Doak suddenly becomes the next best thing). So I guess the discussion really is over contract length, if Salah wants 3 years then presume Liverpool would want him to accept a lower wage (at least in the latter years) if he won’t accept that then it’ll have to be a shorter term which should still be appealing because the likelihood is he’d still get a mega bonus signing on fee in Saudi. At the end of the day think his family being settled is more important to him, he certainly doesn’t come across as a “greedy and all about me” type of player anyway we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Think he’ll remain on Merseyside for another couple of years myself with Liverpool maybe initially finding a replacement in Marmoush.

Mbueno would be interesting though, wonder what he could do at an elite level club.

[BRO_BOT]

The dippers might win it all this season

[6ft Kerplunk]

Second half of the season will be tougher for them once teams start to fully workout Slot's tactics and find one that works against it.

[Sanguine]

The very weird dismissal of Mo Salah by FIFA and The Ballon D'Or continues. Whether he might be worthy of winning it is of course up for debate, but there are 22 attacking players nominated by FIFA for 'The Best' award this year, and Mo Salah is not one of them.

Nominees include Luis Suarez of Inter Miami, Rodrygo of Real Madrid (who got ten league goals last season), and Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi, who plays in the UAE Pro League. Very odd.

[South Coast Royal]

Second half of the season will be tougher for them once teams start to fully workout Slot's tactics and find one that works against it.

On the other hand Liverpool might well improve further as the season progresses and if so , watch out .
Interesting about tactics as packed defences have produced some of the best results against Liverpool for some years now but the risk then is that, with their attacking prowess, a goal could come at any moment especially if you push players forward for a rare corner.