I don’t intend to harp on one of the biggest transfer sagas of the 2012-2013 season following ex-Gunner Robin Van Persie’s $37 million shock move to arch-rivals Manchester United, as it’s already sent shockwaves amongst Arsenal devotees across the globe.
However, it does throw up the prospect of a debate regarding whether a player is expected to be loyal to a club or be prepared to swap jerseys when the colour of money offered is too exciting to resist.
Has the glorious game turned into a business with money being the prime motive for a player?
Despite the fact that RVP’s spell at Arsenal had been constantly marred with injury over eight campaigns, manager Arsene Wenger continued to put faith in the striker over that entire period, and his perseverance finally paid off in the 2011-2012 season when the Dutchman topped the scoring charts with 30 goals and became a player in demand.
However, the untimely exit of the Dutchman has left the Arsenal fan filled with rage and disappointment, unlike the heart-wrenching departure of Thierry Henry in 2007, who was eventually voted in a poll held in 2008 as the greatest Gunner ever.
Let’s not forget that the business of sport has escalated to unprecedented levels in the last decade and, therefore, shock transfers such as RVP’s are bound to become routine since it’s all about the money.
Another player who made news with his transfer was Samuel Eto’o, who moved from Inter Milan to Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011 for a jaw-dropping salary of $485,000 a week!
This is the player who’s been the subject of relentless ridicule during his stints in both Spain and Italy over the years, and for him to decide to move to the volatile Russian league proves again that players are indeed lured by the size of the salary package offered.
But, on the other end of the spectrum, there are players who epitomise commitment and sincerity to their club.
For instance, Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero stayed at Juventus for nearly 20 years, despite its relegation to Serie B in 2006. Moreover, he proved to be the driving force not only in their quest to qualify back into Serie A in 2008 but also when Juventus emerged victorious in Serie A in the 2011-2012 season.
Carlton Cole stuck with West Ham United despite interests shown from other clubs when WHU was demoted to the Championship in 2011. What was even more fascinating was the fact that he agreed to nearly a 50 percent salary pay cut and deservedly put in a match-winning performance in the play-off final against Blackpool (2-1) to rocket his side back into the Premier League.
Well, it’s not everyday we come across players such as Cole and Del Piero, who have shown tremendous devotion to their clubs over extended periods despite the pit-falls.
While we all chase money in our careers in the professional world, aren’t footballers also entitled to the same freedom to make a decision and go where the big bucks are?
From the passionate fan’s perspective, it’s a hard situation to accept, but maybe we should think more from our minds rather than from the heart.
k77sujith
Guest
The quote nails the debate I guess..well said. But it's hard to conclude that all players move to other clubs solely to win silverware. Eto'o for one, has gone to Russia just for the money from Inter. But yes, there are players who are motivated by silverware. Thanks bro.
jinesh
Guest
well i just wanna start off writin a quote.. 'always love ur job but never love ur company cos u might never know wen ur company might stop loving you.. when the clubs can never secure a player's future why do u expect club loyalty from a player..latest example is robert green the english keeper..he was signed by qpr at the start of the season..after 3 games manager mark hughes brings in julio caesar the inter keeper on the last day of the transfer day..so wat kinda confidence is a club like qpr giving greene.. there are players like giggs,scholes,terry who have played for their respective clubs all their life...players like del piero,nedved,buffon stuck to juve even wen they got sent to serie b cos of match fixin issues and tis happened right aftr 2006 wc truimph for italy...so the italian players were right up in the market but many of these players jus decided to stick on..wel tat is loyalty for u..n i dont completely agree tat money favours the jumps by the players.. i think after an extent money is not a big issue cos they get paid heavily anyways..they move to clubs to win silverware which the player thinks its utmost important..the prev comment is probably applicable to the big stars..
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Brick..yes they might be glory hunters but when a team is doing well, isn't it obvious that they will find more supporters? I think it's similar to what Chelsea experienced once Roman came in with the money and big purchases. Thanks.
k77sujith
Guest
I think Chelsea also saw a surge in fandom when Abramovich began his cash splurge in the early noughties, similar to what Man City is experiencing now. Its good that the EPL has another serious contender in City, good for the game and adds to the competition. And they have proved that they have the talent to go all the way, so a surge in City supporters doesn't come as a surprise, does it?
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Sujith those people are commonly known as glory hunters.
k77sujith
Guest
Good point Futbanous...they do have the freedom to decide to move on.
Futbanous
Guest
Prior to 1961(as mentioned above) there were several locals in my team, but even then there were a number of non locals. By that I mean from other parts of the UK,no foreign players. The point made is that regardless of money involved football by its widespread nature(even in 1961) attracted players from outside the area. As the world has shrank in terms of communication,foreign players are joining clubs in every country where a professional league exists. ,That is the nature of football then, as much as the lure of money. Although it helps just ask Nicky Carle,Lucas & Bresh. However they should not be castigated for cementing their future, in a game that has evolved in such a way that allows them to do so pretty much anywhere in the developed world.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
My team at grassroots level was the University of Melbourne - I played for them in Division 1 Victorian Provisional League.
Camshaft
Guest
That's fair enough, each to their own. Do you still follow your old NSL team, or have they gone by the wayside?
Camshaft
Guest
k77sujith - fans have the right to choose a team, but once you are over the age of about 10, you should stick with that team. Funny how all of a sudden there are loads of Man City fans. Speaking of loyalty, why did people start supporting Melbourne Heart? If you were a Victory supporter beforehand, why would you change your allegiance to Heart, as there is no geographical reason.
k77sujith
Roar Guru
No wonder Mr Wenger wore spectacles last weekend!
k77sujith
Roar Guru
Thanks for the link Futbanous.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I no longer have any interest in the sport of ARF, so I no longer passionately follow my AFL team. However, I have not transferred my allegiance to another AFL team. Football was, is & always will be my one and only sporting love. I used to follow ManUtd - from afar, with a passion. But, now that I have a local team to support, Man Utd are no longer the subject of my sporting focus. However, in the EPL or UCL, ManUtd is my team.
k77sujith
Guest
Well, another one to the list of committed players. It must've taken a lot of courage to turn down an offer from a club like City. Thanks Rellum.
k77sujith
Guest
Interesting one Camshaft. But, don't you think fans have the right to choose the team to support as well? I know of some former Arsenal fans who are now hard-core supporters of Man City! But then, this forms a totally different subject. Thanks.
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Fuss...like I've mentioned in this piece, footballers do have the right to move to a club offering them more money just like the common man in his/her career. But, sport being an emotional roller-coaster, from the fan's point of view, it'll always be hard to digest. The player in the spotlight might not even be bothered about the fans' disappointment. Thanks.
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Bondy...well, RVP's salary of 110k was a head-spinner in itself. Like they say...life has to go on I guess.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Daniele De Rossi just turned down a big offer from city to stay loyal to his home town club. It still happens. If more players actually played/represented their home town club it would be more common.
Bondy.
Guest
I think it was Cattery,that was he's name.Sound familiar.Another day another alias.
Camshaft
Guest
Suppose you can't expect players to be loyal when some fans aren't even loyal. There is one contributor to The Roar who followed a sport for 30 years and then ditched it a few years back when something new came along. Can't quite remember his name.