Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted January 17 Site Supporter Share Posted January 17 21 minutes ago, DazBob said: He's probably already got more money than he or his kids can ever spend. Why be unhappy for 2 and a half more years for extra money? No doubt he had a palatial home, but his missus, for example, wouldn't be able to live a life anything like she can do in Europe. Living out in the desert for 3 years sounds thoroughly miserable to me. Aye. In a way you can't blame him for going when such riches are available at the twilight of his career. Certainly wouldn't criticise him for sacking it off if he or the family aren't happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Zico Posted January 17 Moderators Share Posted January 17 1 hour ago, DazBob said: He's probably already got more money than he or his kids can ever spend. Why be unhappy for 2 and a half more years for extra money? No doubt he had a palatial home, but his missus, for example, wouldn't be able to live a life anything like she can do in Europe. Living out in the desert for 3 years sounds thoroughly miserable to me. If it's anything like Dubai they'd be absolutely fine Presumably it's nothing like Dubai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Strange thing for me in it all… it surely can’t be a surprise. It’s not hard to understand what living conditions in Saudi are like and what kind of standard the football is. Maybe he thought it was all worth it but the reality just wasn’t. He’s made himself look a right tit whatever’s happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted January 17 Site Supporter Share Posted January 17 8 minutes ago, Eddie said: Strange thing for me in it all… it surely can’t be a surprise. It’s not hard to understand what living conditions in Saudi are like and what kind of standard the football is. Maybe he thought it was all worth it but the reality just wasn’t. He’s made himself look a right tit whatever’s happened. I suppose he's in a position that he doesn't have to worry about what it appears like. He'll go and play at his new club for a while and likely be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lt. Aldo Raine Posted January 17 Members Share Posted January 17 22 minutes ago, Zico said: If it's anything like Dubai they'd be absolutely fine Presumably it's nothing like Dubai I think his family were living in Bahrain Al Ettifaq play in Dammam, on the coast and miles away from the major Saudi cities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc505 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 They'll probably do away with Gerrard soon and get Mourinho in. Wantaway "stars" and an absolutely abysmal Lampard-ish manager was probably not in their plans for world domination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol_BWFC Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 5 hours ago, tomski said: Probably missed bumming guys Big E or Jords? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 3 minutes ago, Marc505 said: They'll probably do away with Gerrard soon and get Mourinho in. Wantaway "stars" and an absolutely abysmal Lampard-ish manager was probably not in their plans for world domination I can understand their thinking with sports like golf, boxing, F1 - they’re played by individuals and fans tend to follow an individual or the sport as a whole, therefore if you buy the right individuals then the support and money will generally follow. I just don’t see how it works with football though. There’s too much history, too much rivalry - people support clubs and not players. If a player moves on then you might have a cursory glance at how they’re getting on once in a while (Dapo etc.) but otherwise you just carry on supporting your club and the players that are there. Buying some of the best players in Europe (Neymar, Ronaldo) will just mean that people will consider who is now the best player in Europe, football fan’s attention will turn to Mbappe and if he goes it will be Bellingham, Haaland etc.. At best, you’ll get some eyes from those weirdos on twitter that idolise anything to do with a single player - they tend to be bot account in Africa or some kid that’s not really a football fan and unlikely to ever spend any cash that would benefit the Saudi’s. Clearly money is no object, so they won’t really care whether they’re wasting it on some football players, but they aren’t stupid and are looking for returns on these sporting investments and I just can’t see how they ever thought that football was a viable option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traf Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 1 minute ago, Jol_BWFC said: Big E or Jords? Jords Big E's still busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc505 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 5 minutes ago, Eddie said: I can understand their thinking with sports like golf, boxing, F1 - they’re played by individuals and fans tend to follow an individual or the sport as a whole, therefore if you buy the right individuals then the support and money will generally follow. I just don’t see how it works with football though. There’s too much history, too much rivalry - people support clubs and not players. If a player moves on then you might have a cursory glance at how they’re getting on once in a while (Dapo etc.) but otherwise you just carry on supporting your club and the players that are there. Buying some of the best players in Europe (Neymar, Ronaldo) will just mean that people will consider who is now the best player in Europe, football fan’s attention will turn to Mbappe and if he goes it will be Bellingham, Haaland etc.. At best, you’ll get some eyes from those weirdos on twitter that idolise anything to do with a single player - they tend to be bot account in Africa or some kid that’s not really a football fan and unlikely to ever spend any cash that would benefit the Saudi’s. Clearly money is no object, so they won’t really care whether they’re wasting it on some football players, but they aren’t stupid and are looking for returns on these sporting investments and I just can’t see how they ever thought that football was a viable option. I think there's that much money available, an almost bottomless pit of it, that they can chuck it at anything and see what sticks. In terms of the football, from what I can see it's not had the huge changing effect that maybe they thought it would when all the stars went over - nobody's exactly busting a gut to keep up to date with results. Their next batch of players on the list is meant to include Salah and De Bruyne, and yet even if they went I don't think I'd be interested in seeing how they get on. (KDB would be fucking glowing in that heat!) But they'll keep pushing and pushing and I'm still convinced money will eventually talk and they'll be in the champions league before long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traf Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 28 minutes ago, Eddie said: If a player moves on then you might have a cursory glance at how they’re getting on once in a while (Dapo etc.) Do people do this? Is it not like watching your ex get fucked by her new bloke? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 11 minutes ago, Traf said: Do people do this? Is it not like watching your ex get fucked by her new bloke? Personally I haven’t but there has been the odd mention on here as to how he’s getting on. Suppose the same could be said about Trafford and Bradley. The point was more that just by buying players it won’t attract more eyes as you don’t support the teams they are playing for in Saudi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter FrancisFogarty Posted January 17 Site Supporter Share Posted January 17 3 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said: In a way you can't blame him for going when such riches are available at the twilight of his career. I could do a year in an air conditioned desert Hilton, just sitting there watching my bank account clocking up. I did six months in Haslingdon once and it seemed much longer. And the money was nowhere near as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomski Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 3 hours ago, Jol_BWFC said: Big E or Jords? Both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomski Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 8 hours ago, Dr. Feelgood said: I understood that he got £700k pw (!!) tax free so long as he saw out his 3 year contract. There were tax-free bonus payments for signing & performance which he may find are now immediately due tax. Not fulfilling it means he owes 'normal' tax rates for that money*. Of course tax rates in Holland may be higher or lower than UK ones but certainly not Saudi type rates. *it's 49.5% for income over €75k pa. Unless he has complicated non-dom plans which wouldn't fit his self-styled holier-than-though image. £700k pw for 3 years. Jeez. You'd find a way wouldn't you ! £36.5m pa. Over £100m in 3 years. Ah sorry. I’d read he’d have to hand over a big chunk of his current Saudi earnings if he moved back to the uk which is why I thought Ajax seemed a solid idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomski Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 3 hours ago, Traf said: Do people do this? Is it not like watching your ex get fucked by her new bloke? I’ve been keeping up with Dapo. Think it’s mixed in with a love of Hamburg the city though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traf Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 2 minutes ago, tomski said: I’ve been keeping up with Dapo. Think it’s mixed in with a love of Hamburg the city though And Astra Pilsner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomski Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 5 minutes ago, Traf said: And Astra Pilsner? That plays a small part. Though now number 2 beer after Augustiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traf Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 10 hours ago, tomski said: That plays a small part. Though now number 2 beer after Augustiner Is there a league table? Can beers change positions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomski Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 29 minutes ago, Traf said: Is there a league table? Can beers change positions? Yeah of course. None of this closed shop super league bollocks. I was a lover of Hamburg beer but now I’m a self confessed Munchener when it comes to the beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc505 Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Gerrard to sign a 2 year extension, wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter Steejay Posted January 18 Site Supporter Share Posted January 18 5 minutes ago, Marc505 said: Gerrard to sign a 2 year extension, wow. Anything to stay away from Merseyside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Casino Posted January 18 Moderators Share Posted January 18 14 hours ago, tomski said: That plays a small part. Though now number 2 beer after Augustiner my two fridge fillers are kronbacher schneider weisse arty farty for a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeversLeftPeg Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 17 minutes ago, Casino said: my two fridge fillers are kronbacher schneider weisse arty farty for a treat Most of the German stuff is brilliant, remember having Binding in Frankfurt a few years back and not seen it anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted January 18 Site Supporter Share Posted January 18 17 hours ago, FrancisFogarty said: I could do a year in an air conditioned desert Hilton, just sitting there watching my bank account clocking up. I did six months in Haslingdon once and it seemed much longer. And the money was nowhere near as good. Seems like his money wasn't rolling in? Anyway, like I said, he's in a position to say fuck this for a game of soldiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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