Bernardo Silva now being tipped to join the likes on Ronaldo, Kante and many others. I get older players going but if Silva was to sign for a Saudi club then thats a bit of a game changer as he’s only 28. 
 

Can you knock someone for wanting more money in a career that only has a short lifespan? 

6 minutes ago, Alf Hartigan said:

Lineker won't be happy 😇

He never is. Married a fit, younger wench and still buggered that up

Two Saudi Arabia matches taking place at Newcastle next month.£5 tickets to get a gate on.

 

59 minutes ago, Roger_Dubuis said:

Two Saudi Arabia matches taking place at Newcastle next month.£5 tickets to get a gate on.

 

That's the national team, though, not any of the teams with the big signing

If you buy your kids an Al Nassr kit, even whilst a moody version in Turkey, you are part of problem of the downfall of the modern game. 

It's a slippery slope. 

My lads Messi Miami away kit off his uncle in Marmaris is smart though. 

My lads were playing as two Saudi teams on FIFA last night.

11 hours ago, Marc505 said:

Further down the slippery slope.

I can't see how this happens if UEFA are serious about FFP 

They can't go after City and PSG and be threatening teams with bans for breaking FFP, then let the Saudis in 

I've not looked at the figures in great detail but I suspect the SA clubs are spending for more than they generate in revenue

1 minute ago, Zico said:

I can't see how this happens if UEFA are serious about FFP 

They can't go after City and PSG and be threatening teams with bans for breaking FFP, then let the Saudis in 

I've not looked at the figures in great detail but I suspect the SA clubs are spending for more than they generate in revenue

The Saudi teams will argue for a period of time to get level on income potential with the uefa teams.

I'd tell em to get fucked

I couldn't name a single Saudi team. I see players linked with Saudi football but then lose interest in it as they are only going for 1 reason

I can see a few of these big name players at newcastle after a year in saudi, allowed to go on the cheap to get around ffp

19 minutes ago, Biggish Dave said:

I couldn't name a single Saudi team. I see players linked with Saudi football but then lose interest in it as they are only going for 1 reason

You could say the same about 99% of footballers going anywhere.

Saudi isn't in Europe. I hope they point that out at the same time they're telling them to fck off.

We are literally watching the early stages of them dismantling the European leagues & are now expected to facilitate them.

Just now, Dr. Feelgood said:

Saudi isn't in Europe.

Neither is Australia.

3 minutes ago, DazBob said:

Neither is Australia.

Or Israel.

12 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Saudi isn't in Europe. I hope they point that out at the same time they're telling them to fck off.

We are literally watching the early stages of them dismantling the European leagues & are now expected to facilitate them.

Personally, I can’t see it happening.

Yes, professional sport, especially football, is about money and who would turn down such riches?

But, if you have enough with £10m a year, why would you want £40m, if it is without the context of the leagues and continental competition of Europe?

My guess is that players and managers at their peak will not go en masse to Saudi and that Saudi might be overplaying their hand.

I can see FFP being binned.

Edited August 17, 20232 yr by globaldiver

2 hours ago, Zico said:

I can't see how this happens if UEFA are serious about FFP 

They can't go after City and PSG and be threatening teams with bans for breaking FFP, then let the Saudis in 

I've not looked at the figures in great detail but I suspect the SA clubs are spending for more than they generate in revenue

They aren't serious about FFP though, the more money swilling around the better as far as they're concerned, as they'll always get their cut

8 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Saudi isn't in Europe. I hope they point that out at the same time they're telling them to fck off.

We are literally watching the early stages of them dismantling the European leagues & are now expected to facilitate them.

It's not, they'll just re-brand it the "Champions League" and not the "European Champions Leaguer" then they can invite who they want, even some of the South American giants who really do need the dosh. It could morph into a Global Champions League, which would, in the main, still be dominated by the European teams I'd have thought.

I'd not be overly shocked if the Saudis even tried to "tempt" a large European club to relocate to Saudi at some stage, or at the very least, to start hosting games from the major European leagues.

Franchise Soccer, here we come 

28 minutes ago, Sweep said:

It's not, they'll just re-brand it the "Champions League" and not the "European Champions Leaguer" then they can invite who they want, even some of the South American giants who really do need the dosh. It could morph into a Global Champions League, which would, in the main, still be dominated by the European teams I'd have thought.

My PES custom tournament days finally brought to life. 

"You coming to Fulham at weekend mate?"

"Can't pal, got Boca Juniors away on Tuesday, we need a result."

4 hours ago, gonzo said:

My lads were playing as two Saudi teams on FIFA last night.

Take it off em and replace it with football manager 93.    That'll teach em

48 minutes ago, Sweep said:

They aren't serious about FFP though, the more money swilling around the better as far as they're concerned, as they'll always get their cut

Just can't see it happening 

Saudi would in theory have to join UEFA then they'd never qualify for a world cup again 

I know money talks 

But I just can't see it 

As part of a breakaway independent league or tournament, maybe, but not the CL

Why are the Israeli clubs allowed in?

Just now, DazBob said:

Why are the Israeli clubs allowed in?

Israel are in UEFA

Just now, Zico said:

Israel are in UEFA

Can the Saudis not apply to join?

Just now, DazBob said:

Can the Saudis not apply to join?

Probably 

Israel use to be in Asia  

Australia used to be Oceania and are now in Asia 

They aren't going to just be let in the CL for a few games 

They'd have to join and compete in euros qualifiers  

I'm curious to see if they'd have the appetite for that

It's quicker to drive from UEFA HQ in Nyon to Riyadh than it is to Astana and Kazakhstan are also a UEFA member.

They'll make some shite up and let them in no doubt.

1 minute ago, Zico said:

Probably 

Israel use to be in Asia  

Australia used to be Oceania and are now in Asia 

They aren't going to just be let in the CL for a few games 

They'd have to join and compete in euros qualifiers  

I'm curious to see if they'd have the appetite for that

Just seen your post above saying they'd not qualify for any World Cups. 

Well, I reckon, given how much they're expanding the number of teams in a tournament they'd have a slight chance, and also given the number of kids who'll be born over there in the coming years, there'll be kids of superstar footballers being born over there left, right and centre who'll be eligible to play for them. 

Give it 20 years or so and they'll be a decent team.  Especially when the likes of Neymar Jnr Jnr is being offered a billion dollars to proudly play for Saudi Arabia.