Topic: Saudi Arabia's raid of European clubs

[Tonyh8su]

Gerrard has obviously has gone for the money… yano cos he’s on the bones of his arse.  So disappointed.

Bobby, Fowler, Gerrard massively disappointed in them all.

[The North Bank]

Its weird because Gerrard needs to rebuild his managerial career after it didnt go too well at villa, but if he wins the league in saudi every season it wont matter a jot as no one in the top leagues would care, similarly if he finishes bottom every season,  he’s actually dropping off the planet as far as managers go. Complete waste of time.

[JRed]

Bobby, Fowler, Gerrard massively disappointed in them all.

Three absolute legends of the club have disappointed the whole fan base.

[Tobelius]

Bobby, Fowler, Gerrard massively disappointed in them all.

Yeah me too.

30 pieces of silver comes to mind,still hope them all well in life and all that but always disappointing finding out people you like are a bit different than you thought.

[Ma Vie en Rouge]

Honestly, what a bunch of shallow bastards. Bobby, Gerrard and anyone else who goes out there are just lost causes. There's no justification for it whatsoever.

[RedBec1993]

Honestly, what a bunch of shallow bastards. Bobby, Gerrard and anyone else who goes out there are just lost causes. There's no justification for it whatsoever.

Naturally I wanted to defend them to people mentioning it but can’t really.

Bobby still has so much to offer at any top European team but he goes there.

Gerrard has money to burn, shows a lack of career ambition going over there.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Shows a bit more than a lack of career ambition.

[MonsLibpool]

Shows a bit more than a lack of career ambition.

It's to judge them but most would take the cash if they were in their shoes. Even if they do a year there, they can still return to Europe.

[Koplass]

It's to judge them but most would take the cash if they were in their shoes. Even if they do a year there, they can still return to Europe.

They're all filthy rich, the last thing any of them need is more money. This is just absolute gluttony.

[Dim Glas]

They're all filthy rich, the last thing any of them need is more money. This is just absolute gluttony.

exactly, pure greed at this point. Gerrard is surely set for life, and even if he ‘just’ took a championship level club job to get back on track of ‘just’ went into punditry, he’s still be pulling in a huge amount of pay. And no doubt he’d have various endorsements and sponsorship deals too. To go to Saudi Arabia is as you say pure gluttony.

[MonsLibpool]

They're all filthy rich, the last thing any of them need is more money. This is just absolute gluttony.

Human beings are never satisfied. If Saudi were to offer most people 5-10 times their salary, they'd take it no matter how wealthy they are.

[Koplass]

Human beings are never satisfied. If Saudi were to offer most people 5-10 times their salary, they'd take it no matter how wealthy they are.

I wouldn't and I probably earn 1/100th of what Gerrard earns a year. Just disappointing that not one of our lot seem to have any morals.

[damomad]

Human beings are never satisfied. If Saudi were to offer most people 5-10 times their salary, they'd take it no matter how wealthy they are.

I don't get this line of thinking. They are never going to offer most people 5-10 times their salary because only a select few of the world's population can be utilised in a sportswashing enterprise. They'll just use slave labour for the rest.

[GBF]

It's always a problem if it is Saudi, Qatar, China but 'Merica is all good and decent

[A Red Abroad]

It's always a problem if it is Saudi, Qatar, China but 'Merica is all good and decent

The USA government/state doesn't own any football clubs though.

It's not the same.

Yes, some American politics/policies are awful - but the State doesn't own their sports.

Surely you can see the difference?

[JRed]

It's always a problem if it is Saudi, Qatar, China but 'Merica is all good and decent

If Donald Trump owned a club while he was president then I’m pretty sure people would’ve been against that too.

[Red-Soldier]

Human beings are never satisfied. If Saudi were to offer most people 5-10 times their salary, they'd take it no matter how wealthy they are.

Speak for yourself.  Fortunately, not all of us are like that 

[mikey_LFC]

The USA government/state doesn't own any football clubs though.

It's not the same.

Yes, some American politics/policies are awful - but the State doesn't own their sports.

Surely you can see the difference?

Also, they’re not openly committing genocide or human rights abuses on mass.

[MonsLibpool]

Speak for yourself.  Fortunately, not all of us are like that 

I never said everyone is like that. Most people would take it.

That's why I find the "He doesn't look like someone that'd take Saudi millions" a bit strange.

[Schmidt]

Its weird because Gerrard needs to rebuild his managerial career after it didnt go too well at villa, but if he wins the league in saudi every season it wont matter a jot as no one in the top leagues would care, similarly if he finishes bottom every season,  he’s actually dropping off the planet as far as managers go. Complete waste of time.

Not sure there's anything to rebuild, he's a pretty shit manager. When he knocked back the managerial vacancy at MK Dons saying he needed experience first, only to then jump at the Rangers job, I had a feeling he was going to end up another member of the British managerial roundabout.

[Elliemental]

It's always a problem if it is Saudi, Qatar, China but 'Merica is all good and decent

Okay, but America isn't buying up other country's football leagues? that's something of a false equivalence.

[oojason]

Human beings are never satisfied. If Saudi were to offer most people 5-10 times their salary, they'd take it no matter how wealthy they are.

Nope, as others have already stated... have a look around the various threads on the subject and you'll find a fair number that have previously refused, or would refuse. 

Though there is a reason why countries like Saudi feel they have to offer 5-10 times a salary to attract some people.

Yet, of course what you claim is something of a false equivalency... as regular average everyday workers are in a vastly different position to footballers at Gerrard, Fowler and Bobby's level who are already set up for life... and yet many regular average everyday workers still say 'no'.


I mean, there are probably more people that would say no to Saudi... than there are apologists / people performing mental gymnastics to try and justify taking the human rights abusing sportswashers and executioners' money on here, yes?

[thaddeus]

The days of having the likes of King Kenny are long gone.  I enjoy the players whilst they're on the pitch and nothing more.  At the best of times they're far from being idol worthy, then from time to time they disappoint beyond belief.

Bobby, Fowler and Gerrard are all coining in more money than they'd make anywhere else.  Unless they're thick as shit - which is possible - they'll know what it's all about but they clearly don't care.  Fuck 'em.

Have the wanksock social media influences started appearing in Saudi yet to tell us all how wonderful it is?

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

I never said everyone is like that. Most people would take it.

That's why I find the "He doesn't look like someone that'd take Saudi millions" a bit strange.

If "most" would take it then every top level player would be there by now because you can be sure as hell that they've all been approached. They're only being successful with those who have basically given up on their careers, with the odd exception.

[Dim Glas]

Okay, but America isn't buying up other country's football leagues? that's something of a false equivalence.

it’s one of the very favourite come-back of fans who support clubs being owned by human rights abusers. Man City and Newcastle fans have it and about 50 other come-backs memorised for social media use.

[MonsLibpool]

If "most" would take it then every top level player would be there by now because you can be sure as hell that they've all been approached. They're only being successful with those who have basically given up on their careers, with the odd exception.

You know what I mean LOL. Players stay for sporting reasons but after that a Bobby or a Stevie would go to Saudi if the offer is big enough.

A Neves taking Saudi money at 26 is greed but retired pros will go for it if it's lucrative enough.

[Historical Fool]

If "most" would take it then every top level player would be there by now because you can be sure as hell that they've all been approached. They're only being successful with those who have basically given up on their careers, with the odd exception.

Bit hesitant to generalise all of them. Everyone has their own personal circumstances and choices to work through, but harsh to tar all of them with the same brush.

[Crosby Nick]

it’s one of the very favourite come-back of fans who support clubs being owned by human rights abusers. Man City and Newcastle fans have it and about 50 other come-backs memorised for social media use.

Cry more.

[TomDcs]

Disappointed 😔

[Dim Glas]

Cry more.

[Jwils21]

24 year old Jota has left Celtic for Saudi.

[A Red Abroad]

Cry more.

Cope.

[The G in Gerrard]

I remember the Chinese Super League and Sky showed it for a season or two iirc. They won't do that with this will they (or any other broadcaster)?

[DangerScouse]

I remember the Chinese Super League and Sky showed it for a season or two iirc. They won't do that with this will they (or any other broadcaster)?

Didn't show LIV golf despite having some huge names, can't see them showing the football.

[newterp]

What happened to good old - You mad bro?

[bird_lfc]

24 year old Jota has left Celtic for Saudi.

£25m for a player scoring goals against League 1 calibre sides. Bonkers

Maybe they thought they were getting the actual Jota?

[oojason]

I remember the Chinese Super League and Sky showed it for a season or two iirc. They won't do that with this will they (or any other broadcaster)?

Sky already did for some Saudi games last season mate - albeit on their youtube channel. I think it was likely due to Ronaldo's move there? Yet wouldn't be surprised if they did show it on TV this season. If you type in 'sky saudi pro league' into the youtube search bar... you'll se a number of matches available to watch all for free.

[PeterTheRed ...]

As someone who remembers the NASL back in the 70's, when they managed to attract such players as Pele, Cruyff and Beckenbauer, I am not really bothered by this Saudi league circus, unless they are signing players under the age of 30. As for the managers, they have always earned great money in the Arab countries. It was almost a tradition for the managers from former Yugoslavia to work there and get their big paycheck ...

[Elzar]

24 year old Jota has left Celtic for Saudi.

He is another portuguese player under that agency (Mendes owned isn't it?). Looks like they have some kind of deal with Saudi Arabia, or they have realised what a jackpot it is and are tempting the players into it.

[lfc_col]

Mad how we've got to this stage people just shrug there shoulders wonder how they will feel when our cup finals are being played there