11 Aug 2022 09:57:09
ETH: Hey Frenkie, come to United, I want to build my team around you.
FDJ: Great news boss, who else are you signing?
ETH: We're going to sign Rabiot and then find an ageing striker somewhere, not sure who yet, but that Welbeck fella looks useful.
FDJ: Interesting.
ETH: Yes, it's going to be great, we are going all in for the Europa.
FDJ: Look boss, you know I love and respect you but your clubis a shambles. I can also go to Chelsea, who have signed quality players, are in the Champion's League, have a track record of winning things, and I get to live in London.

Lets be honest, that is exactly how the conversation is going to go.


1.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 10:13:02
Tony

I could care less if he came, stayed or went to chelsea. I just want us to move forward and not be in lingo. Its an odd one why its taking so many turns and twists. By all accounts barcelona need to sell, hence if the player is dragging this out, we should have moved on. Unless he wants to come but its the deferred wages thing that barcelona are trying to get out off by dragging this out.

What a mess.


2.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 10:38:15
I really thought this season we would learn that these huge money, huge wages transfers for players playing at a better club would stop as they haven't really worked for us.
I thought we'd be frugal, getting a couple free transfers in, getting 1-2 players in the last year of contract or sign players like laimer, sangare, bissouma or some Dutch/ Belgian players that need a step up. I think Nani was not a flop and we always used to get odd player from Portugal with Mendes which we have completely stopped. These guys now go to wolves.
Rafael and Hernandez were 2 players from America, we've even stopped doing that.


3.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 10:45:12
You just never know AJH. One of the things De Jong has said himself is about the position he prefers to play in and it's clear he would have that here. Obviously we will spin him the BS about being the player to turn the club around, but unfortunately under current ownership I don't think we will see that.

But obviously at the moment Chelsea are a much more attractive proposition for the reasons you listed above.


4.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 10:50:55
More likely that he’s thinking about the money he’s due AJH.
I bet it hasn’t even got to the stage of deciding between London or Manchester. It’s a lot messier than that by the looks of it. Talk of lawyers involved and all sorts.
Barca are a shambles and then you add our board into the mix, it’s not going to be plain sailing.


5.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 11:22:55
Let's just think about it logically for one moment.

Football players are people, they don't tend to think wildly differently to rest of us. They just have different options.

They're job is to play football, changing club is like moving to a different company.

What things do you value in a potential job offer?

Wages probably feature very highly for most people. Job satisfaction, ability to develop and grow within a role. Recognition and awards might be important to some people in some industries. Location, where will you live and work. What are the working conditions like. Will you be working with top people in your field?

These are all things that will contribute to what decisions you make in your career in relation to which job offers you accept.

For a footballer it's probably going to be very similar.

Wages/ financial package will feature highly in their decision making.

Ability to win or challenge for top honours will be important as well. To that end working with other top professionals will be key.

While lifestyle will also be a huge factor. Why do you want to earn the big bucks? Surely to be able to enjoy a certain lifestyle that earning that money can afford you. Big houses, shops, restaurants, and recreational activities.

Now if you had to rank Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea in terms of these things how do they rank.

Wages I think will be fairly similar across the board, although maybe staying at Barcelona will mean he will have to earn slightly less.

Ability to win things. Barcelona top, Chelsea second and United third sadly as things stand currently.

Lifestyle, this is fairly personal but generally you'd say the sun and culture available in Barcelona probably places it top for most people. London second with Manchester last.

Looking at that you can see why his first choice is to stay a Barcelona on his current contract. He'll earn a great wage, playing in a side that has the best chance to win top honours playing with top players, while living in a beautiful city that affords him a fantastic lifestyle.

If he can't stay at Barcelona and it becomes a choice between United and Chelsea. Well currently Chelsea offer him a better chance of winning top honours, they have several top players for him to work with, just as big a salary and the London lifestyle over that of Manchester.

Realistically the only trump card we have is EtH, his first manager and the guy who gave him his debut.

Is working with EtH more important to him than challenging for honours and living in London.


6.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 11:49:44
Shappy, you took my post and said the same thing, only you used a lot more words.


7.) 11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022 12:04:04
Ed002 has provided a great summary and by all accounts this is a waste of time and we better move on and get real about plan B. Neves or guy from lazio please.

A bit of shocker by everyone involved including the manager to have not walked away from this much earlier.