Has Costa had his head turned by offer from China?

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:58 pm

Dropped by Chelsea for Leicester game.
Offered £30million a year.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... eague-club" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:09 pm

looks like it and at that kind of money you can't blame him ! Would be a waste of his talent though

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:11 pm

He'd be bonkers not to see the season out given Chelsea's position, China will still be there after he picks up his winners medal.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:19 pm

Thinking about it, I don't blame him, he's only got a couple of years left at the top level, he's nearly 40 after all.

Tall Paul · Post by **Tall Paul** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:23 pm

CombatClaret wrote:He'd be bonkers not to see the season out given Chelsea's position, China will still be there after he picks up his winners medal.

He'd be more bonkers to turn down nearly £500,000 a week.

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:27 pm

The implications of this are almost unthinkable, it will blow the PL deal out of the water.

Costa will be the first of many if the reputed £600k per week is true.

Certain to be disruption at the Bridge and daft as it sounds Tottenham might be favourites for the title in a couple of weeks.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:34 pm

He's a Hired Gun is Costa but aren't they all? Your Steven Gerrards and Matt Le Tissiers are a thing of the distant past

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:40 pm

Who gives a toss about Costa?
Or for that matter any of the others.
Fine, let them take the money - but I don't care.
I'm not going to go and watch them play, not even if it was on the telly.

COBBLE · Post by **COBBLE** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:43 pm

I agree with Royboyclaret that this might be the beginning of the end for the Premier League and the top six or so super clubs. I am trying to think about the implications for our club and hope that if it happens it would lead to a more exciting and even competition. But then with less Sky money attendances become more significant once more. At least we have got the training and development facilities to match the best.

DAVETHEVICAR · Post by **DAVETHEVICAR** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:49 pm

Players just getting too greedy now

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:50 pm

jurek wrote:Who gives a toss about Costa?
Or for that matter any of the others.
Fine, let them take the money - but I don't care.
I'm not going to go and watch them play, not even if it was on the telly.

You should give a toss, Chelsea results against teams around is will matter.

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:50 pm

It's the impact these moves have on our domestic game that we should be concerned about.

When it was Pelle, Tevez and Oscar it was all a bit meh, players that were looking for a last big pay day.

But this is different, Costa the first potential marquee signing with Sanchez and Ozil now refusing to sign contracts.

The Sky/BT deal is due for renewal in two years and by that time they will have a massive decision to make.

john'sroseyspecs · Post by **john'sroseyspecs** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:55 pm

That's my fantasy football team stuffed this week then. I thought the Chinese government was making warning noises to their football authorities about excessive and unsustainable spending? Hopefully this bubble will burst sooner rather than later.

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:58 pm

Sidney1st, Chelsea have enough good players on their books to probably field two teams
that would beat most in the premiership. And probably another two teams
(if they recalled some of those they have out on loan) that could hold their own in the Championship.

Looking at it another way then it might also give us a better chance of getting a result against them
if they are Costaless. And utlimately it's what we do that will keep us up, or not.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:59 pm

The sky deal will be fine. There's not going to be a massive draw to start screen Chinese Premier League games.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:08 pm

Forgive my ignorance but can somebody tell me why China has suddenly become such a superpower when it comes to buying players and paying astronomical wages.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:10 pm

When Pelle and Lampard move on to China or MLS in their twilight years for big money it makes sense, Costa is 28, borderline.

It's when the young players start going there the Premier League has to worry.

Tall Paul · Post by **Tall Paul** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:12 pm

Oscar went there and he's only 25.

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:13 pm

"The sky deal will be fine. There's not going to be a massive draw to start screen Chinese Premier League games."

Bordeaux.......My point was more about the deal Sky/BT might have to consider in order to finance PL clubs in a way that allows them to pay the sort of salaries that compete with the Chinese. That was the massive decision I referred to. You wouldn't envy them that decision.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:15 pm

Sutton-Claret wrote:Forgive my ignorance but can somebody tell me why China has suddenly become such a superpower when it comes to buying players and paying astronomical wages.

The government are pushing this drive to attract better known players and are helping with the funding too I suspect.
They want it to become a global brand, I suppose a bit similar to what Sky and the PL started in the 90's.

The main difference is European clubs already had history and were known around the world, whereas the Chinese are having to 'bribe' players to move.

I don't think it will end up like the first MLS venture, but the wages won't stay up there forever.

COBBLE · Post by **COBBLE** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:18 pm

DAVETHEVICAR wrote:Players just getting too greedy now

Of course you are right Dave and we look to you to remind us. But this goes back decades. Kerry Packer, India etc. I do not think many
individuals can logically turn down offers of this magnitude.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:21 pm

DAVETHEVICAR wrote:Players just getting too greedy now

Yes, the players are greedy, but they are not the problem; television money and the global tv audience is the problem.
Bob (The True Visionary) Lord was so right!

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:39 pm

Sky might make more televising games in China long term and it might be more in their interest. If the product here isn't worth as much the money side/ wageswill reduce. We will still have a competitive league with history. I was joking not long ago about a £ million a week / game. Looks like it will be reality before long.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:41 pm

Let all the money chasers disappear to China, the Premier League will not suffer.
There are quality International players in abundance sitting on their backsides week in, week out who will take the mantle.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:43 pm

How does the money being offered in China compare to the salaries in the NBA, NFL, MLB & NHL?

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:46 pm

JohnMac wrote:Let all the money chasers disappear to China, the Premier League will not suffer.
There are quality International players in abundance sitting on their backsides week in, week out who will take the mantle.

JohnMac, I think it has a lot to do with the big bookies on line.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:48 pm

DAVETHEVICAR wrote:Players just getting too greedy now

I think the problem is with the Chairmen, the Owners and the TV Companies.

The players are the product and will take what they can, very few would reject a pay increase in any walk of life.

I believe it will go 'POP' one day, just not yet.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:52 pm

JohnMac wrote:I think the problem is with the Chairmen, the Owners and the TV Companies.

The players are the product and will take what they can, very few would reject a pay increase in any walk of life.

I believe it will go 'POP' one day, just not yet.

I totally agree with that. The important thing is to retain a strong identity in the community, because when (if) the TV companies pull out clubs will rely on their genuine supporters.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:18 pm

What happen over in Italy? I can remember all the greats who played there in the 90s early 2000s but too young to remember the money side of things. Did that just go 'pop'.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:23 pm

Look how long it took the MLS to be "established", and its still pretty poor standard.

The irony of Chelsea fans whining about big spending China is delicious btw

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:27 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Look how long it took the MLS to be "established", and its still pretty poor standard.

The irony of Chelsea fans whining about big spending China is delicious btw

I suppose the difference is that the Chinese are head-hunting top players, where the MLS mainly attracted has-beens. Oscar is the tip of a very big ice-berg.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:29 pm

Oh, if they buy every good player available, then the standard might be ok, but that will take time and to be honest, I can't see me staying up to watch a Chinese game

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:32 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Oh, if they buy every good player available, then the standard might be ok, but that will take time and to be honest, I can't see me staying up to watch a Chinese game

They'll just have to get used to Sky moving the fixtures about to suit themselves.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:34 pm

Sidney1st wrote:They'll just have to get used to Sky moving the fixtures about to suit themselves.

This is why it's not going to be a problem long term. The kick off times.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:34 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Oh, if they buy every good player available, then the standard might be ok, but that will take time and to be honest, I can't see me staying up to watch a Chinese game

Same here, I can hardly be bothered with EPL in general (only watch Burnley), but the viewing population in the far east is a massive factor

RocketLawnChair · Post by **RocketLawnChair** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:40 pm

Let them all go to China for me and then perhaps football in this country might return to something like normal. Their will be 92 clubs who will still be able to raise a side every week regardless of what's happening in China...

When the Premier League went global the Asian market was one of the main targets and football fans the majority without any affiliation to a club over there picked a City or a United or a Chelsea too support some even supported an individual in Beckham ...

I somehow can't see many clarets fans defecting to the Chicken Foo Yungs or the Peking Ducks because Oscar plays for them...

The Landscape may change but football in this country will be just fine long term..

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:11 am

Bordeauxclaret wrote:This is why it's not going to be a problem long term. The kick off times.

The kick off times would be pretty convenient for the one and a half billion Chinese people though.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:31 am

Can't find the article but it theorises that China cannot become a footballing power without a gargantuan rise in grassroots football with it's emphasis on teamwork and creativity which is at major odds with it's schooling system and desires of parents nationwide. Citing China's 1-0 loss to Syria (1.3 billion v 22 million) as an example of how far China has to come besides throwing money at individual players.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:38 am

CombatClaret wrote:Can't find the article but it theorises that China cannot become a footballing power without a gargantuan rise in grassroots football with it's emphasis on teamwork and creativity which is at major odds with it's schooling system and desires of parents nationwide. Citing China's 1-0 loss to Syria (1.3 billion v 22 million) as an example of how far China has to come besides throwing money at individual players.

Could it not be argued that a lot more kids will want to start playing football when they have arguably some of the best players in the world playing on their doorstep and not just on a tv screen?

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:58 am

Kerchinkerchinkerchinka? That might turn a few heads.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:18 am

Rileybobs wrote:The kick off times would be pretty convenient for the one and a half billion Chinese people though.

It would if they all moved to Europe.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:21 am

I'm not particularly concerned by the increase in flow of players in lure of the Renminbi or Yuan. Give it 12 months and I'll guess a lot will be coming back with 'their tales between their legs'. I would say it's a good proposition for someone in the twilight of their career, but someone in their prime will need to think long and hard as 'the grass on the other side' literally might not be what they expect.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:23 am

DAVETHEVICAR wrote:Players just getting too greedy now

Yep because I'm sure you'd turn down £600k a week!

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:24 am

Better make a change to my fantasy team!

duncandisorderly · Post by **duncandisorderly** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:33 am

The more money in China, India, Russia, USA etc the more level a playing field the English league becomes.

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 9:10 am

Doesn't really matter to me. As long as Burnley win on a Saturday I'm happy. The world's best play in Spain now, soon they might play in China.

If we win today I doubt many people will walk off the Turf thinking 'that was ok but not as satisfying as when the skill level was imperceptibly higher in 2009 due to the comparatively stronger Premier League in comparison to other global leagues at that time'.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:13 pm

TomBenderson wrote:I don't think those are tales I want to hear...

.

Ha Ha Sorry Tom. Made me chuckle. Please accept my apologies for poor grammar. In my defence I'd only just got up and hadn't engaged brain before I posted.