WTTGT Writer: John Montanye – Follow me
So here we are folks. Three weeks into the current international transfer window and we have no resolution to the agonising question. Will he stay, or will he go? But this might not be the most crucial answer the football world will receive with the outcome of this situation.
Arsenal are in the right here, hoping that their player, the supposed captain of the team, sees out his commitment to the club with the contract he signed only 18 months ago. But in fact, they are being portrayed the villain here, by players, and an entire country (Spain).
The problem will not be when and if Arsenal let Césc go, that is almost assured to take place this transfer window or next summer at the latest. The problem is that players may look at Arsenal’s stance as an infringement on their “liberty”.
Players, by now, are used to being in control. They sign a contract for five or six years, but if they don’t like the weather they want a transfer. Any little hiccup and they want to bolt. Now they see a club trying to wrestle some of that control back into their hands. This may lead to some of Arsenal’s targets to shun the club because they may not want to fight when they feel they want to leave.
This all goes back to the contract situation. If a player does not want to have a long commitment to a club, the numbers of years signed should be reduced. This will eliminate any future situations like the one Arsenal face now.
Arsenal has been linked to a host of Spanish players, most internationals. Imagine the advice that all the Barcelona players are giving them now.
Player X: Yeah, Arsenal contacted the team about me, they seem ready to pay the amount requested. My agent asked whether I wanted to go and it seems a great opportunity.
Xavi: Have you seen the way they won’t let Césc leave? It’s like they actually want him to live up to his contract! He’s being held hostage there by that mean Wenger. What if you don’t like it? Do you want to take that chance?
Player X: Do you really think so? They are a big club, great tradition and always competitive. I think I could do well there.
Píque, Iniesta, and Villa in unison: No way, don’t go there! They will never let you leave!
It all seems like something out of a conspiracy theory novel. The truth here is many of the shows here in Spain that are reporting this story of Césc’s transfer are actually commenting on this very point.
Supporters do not only have to worry who Arsenal will have on its roster when the season starts, they now have to worry whether or not they can attract players from one of the better footballing nations due to the way this situation is dragging on.
While Arsène should not be blamed for wanting a player to live up to his contract, a player he gave the utmost responsibility and nurtured through the early part of his careers, he must in fact begin to look at the bigger picture. Arsenal is bigger than just one or two players. If they expect to attract talent from this part of Europe, it will be harder to do if this saga continues.
Since when has protecting your interest become a bad thing? If a club like Arsenal cannot even protect its interest, it should be worrying to all that loves it. When did Barca come up with a sensible offer that leads you to imply that this is the case anyway?
Mate, I don't usually respond to my own story, but I think you missed the point of the piece. Arsenal SHOULD protect their interest, all my pieces have been about that very subject. And Barcelona have NOT made a sensible offer, I wrote a piece on that as well. My point here is that this is having an effect on how the club is viewed by a cross section of players from this part of the world and how a swift resolution is needed.
Cheers for reading.
but that does not stop bellerin and jon toral from coming to arsenal right?, the thing is, players would still come even if they are 'adviced' by xavi and the gang because this is the ARSENAL. About unhappy players, it would be better to tie the down with long contracts so the club can sell them with higher prices