03 Dec 2020 17:26:20
Ed. As seen with what we know with Pepe at Arsenal and Jota and Thiago at Liverpool
(Im sure there is countless more)

Do you think with the lack of funds from C.V. that clubs will look to do more deals like this going forward (I know it's risky as your determined on income)
Do you think the financial restraints that are in place and looming will change the outlook on players being bought in and more of the youth set up being used?

{Ed002's Note - There are not clubs in other countries accumulating debt and taking risks like some of the English sides. Arsenal are gambling on being in the Champions League next season to bring in income. Liverpool are accumulating debt because they are living rather on the edge, but they are pretty sure that they will strike a deal for naming rights of the main stand (not Anfield) for probably 10 years worth probably £100M, and have access to money because the assets have been mortgaged with Natwest. But both of these sides and all of the other sides will need to suck up losses until we are clear of the pandemic. At a lower level some will no doubt will not make it. Others will survive off loans which will saddle them with debt. Liverpool struck lucky, very lucky, with Jota who has been great - but only because their first two options were not available on any sort of long-term deal. Arsenal screwed up with Pepe by paying probably three times over the odds. Thiago is as discussed - not available still. Next summer Liverpool need to start looking at their refresh and perhaps the solution is to sell the likes of Salah and Keita and move for the preferred options of Sarr or Traore. The squad management has been poor particularly in terms of the Squad Developed players and that pain will continue at least for next season. Spanish and Italian sides will look to trade players rather than accumulate debt as their local FAs have rules which means they must work within a certain framework - and the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are reliant on players taking a wage cut to move forward. Allowing a few thousand people in to the grounds will cause additional losses for clubs with larger grounds, and they will have to suck it up. It costs a lot of money to put on a football game and the losses will be significant - as an example, Twickenham needs 25,000 attending rugby games to break even.}

03 Dec 2020 19:37:19
That’s great information thanks eds2
Can I ask have any prem side asked there players to take pay cuts.

{Ed002's Note - A couple have asked for deferments rather than cuts. One has asked for bonuses to be put aside for this season.}

03 Dec 2020 20:10:58
Brilliant information again Ed002 thank you. Just a couple of questions if I may. You said that Liverpool's first two options were not available on any sort of long term deal. How long of a deal did Liverpool want? Also did you think that Liverpool will make a bid for Sarr or Traore at some stage?

{Ed002's Note - They were looking to pay little or nothing up front a spread payments out over the length of contracts. If Liverpool can raise money then they are seen as the options moving forward.}

03 Dec 2020 21:58:15
Nice info top man Ed cheers .

03 Dec 2020 22:08:53
Good info Ed thank you I enjoyed reading that mate. So you think the club are pretty happy with the defensive options for the rest of the season or do you see us adding a CB in January?

{Ed002's Note - January is not a great time to look at transfers. They could have already picked up an out of contract CB but have decided not to so far - so it is tough to see what will change in January.}

04 Dec 2020 13:52:30
cheers ed.
always appreciated

is there talk within clubs that they don't allow people back in because of the loss? i completely understand the uproar it would cause but unfortunately it is a business now over a sport

Have i read it right that Sarr and Traore were th first two choices over Jota.

{Ed002's Note - Most clubs will do the best they can with their staff. And yes you read it right.}