Sterling impasse continues

[FoxForceFive]

Nope. Not a chance.

I'd pay the lad what he wants or close enough to it to get another long, long, contract in place.

He'll be worth well more than 50m in two seasons time so the wages in the meantime won't matter.

 

[Red Astaire]

Nope. Not a chance.

I'd pay the lad what he wants or close enough to it to get another long, long, contract in place.

He'll be worth well more than 50m in two seasons time so the wages in the meantime won't matter.

In regards to getting the contract in place I suppose you're right. Whether or not he'll be the mega star you predict I'm not so sure. I guess we'll see.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I don't predict he will be a mega star. Thing is though he's got a good chance of being, no one knows whether he'll take that final step & hit that peak.

But for me the 'risk' of paying higher wages & losing a few million is worth it against the potential benefits should he make the step up or even continue to just gradually improve.

 

[Red Astaire]

I don't predict he will be a mega star. Thing is though he's got a good chance of being, no one knows whether he'll take that final step & hit that peak.

But for me the 'risk' of paying higher wages & losing a few million is worth it against the potential benefits should he make the step up or even continue to just gradually improve.

Of course I hope you're right. Besides no one has offered 50m so guess it's a moot point for the time being.

 

[Hansern]

He's probably been our most important player this season and we've said so many times.
One of the biggest talents in Europe. Course he'll demand a heft wedge.
His agent has got all the barganing tools but Sterling looks happy here and I dont think he's looking to leave at all.
They know they can get away with very high demands.
Got a feeling that he'll get somewhere between 110-120k and sign.

Putting this on hold until after the season is probably a good thing mind. We need to keep our focus on getting 4th and winning the FA cup.

 

[keniget]

Keni - I agree with most of what you said here but I take exception a little in that I'm comparing him to SWP because he's black. There are many similarities. The last of which I'd compare him to is the colour of his skin. How about these instead?

1) He's young
2) He's small
3) He's a forward/attacking midfielder but also played as a wing back I believe
4) He's English
5) He's had a good start to his international career and has rightly been lauded
6) He's been courted by big clubs very early in his career.

SWP was sold to Chelsea for £21m back in 2005 which was a hell of a lot back then for a 22 year old. His career has since nosedived. Surely you can see the similarities? I'm not for a minute suggesting he will end up like SWP. I'm an LFC fan after all. I obviously want him to stay and come good. All I'm saying is if someone came in with an offer for £50m I'd take it. Is it worth smashing a wage structure to pander to some greedy twat who has had 2 good seasons? Give him a pay rise. He deserves it but not at the risk of undermining the club.

I wasn't trying to imply that you were being racial or anything so I'm sorry if my post came across as aggressive in that way.

The point I was trying to make was that any comparison between the two, for me, is a purely superficial one. I've had friends comparing Sterling to Lennon probably on the basis of watching some highlights of him on the wing. It ignores the type of player he is and his quality - which I think all the reasons above do also.

I get what you're trying to say, that right now it's not an open and shut case as to whether he'll establish himself as world class (and as good as I think he is, I agree with that)... but when you look at what we'd have to spend to replace him (see: Markovic) then it feels very much like a gamble we can't afford not to make.

 

[Judge Jules]

I don't predict he will be a mega star. Thing is though he's got a good chance of being, no one knows whether he'll take that final step & hit that peak.

But for me the 'risk' of paying higher wages & losing a few million is worth it against the potential benefits should he make the step up or even continue to just gradually improve.

If it were just a question of what we do about Sterling individually I'd agree, but it goes wider than that. If he gets this much of a wage rise all in one go at his age, that could really open the floodgates among the rest of the squad. While we can't let that paralyse us in dealing with this particular player, we do have to keep it clearly in mind IMHO. There's a balance to be struck here.

 

[Red Astaire]

I wasn't trying to imply that you were being racial or anything so I'm sorry if my post came across as aggressive in that way.

The point I was trying to make was that any comparison between the two, for me, is a purely superficial one. I've had friends comparing Sterling to Lennon probably on the basis of watching some highlights of him on the wing. It ignores the type of player he is and his quality - which I think all the reasons above do also.

I get what you're trying to say, that right now it's not an open and shut case as to whether he'll establish himself as world class (and as good as I think he is, I agree with that)... but when you look at what we'd have to spend to replace him (see: Markovic) then it feels very much like a gamble we can't afford not to make.

It's ok. I just wanted to be clear I wasn't comparing him in that way. Your post above (as ever) is sensible and reasoned. I agree with JJ in that a reasonable balance should be struck. If he digs his heels in and demands ridiculous amounts then I don't think we should pander to it. As it happens I don't think he will - As a LFC fan I hope he signs and goes on to become the player most people think he will become.

 

[FoxForceFive]

If it were just a question of what we do about Sterling individually I'd agree, but it goes wider than that. If he gets this much of a wage rise all in one go at his age, that could really open the floodgates among the rest of the squad. While we can't let that paralyse us in dealing with this particular player, we do have to keep it clearly in mind IMHO. There's a balance to be struck here.

Agree completely, I don't recommend simply ceding to his advisors figures, but we have to be pragmatic, the impression I get is more a stubbornness that seems to be point proving as much as anything else.

 

[Red Astaire]

Agree completely, I don't recommend simply ceding to his advisors figures, but we have to be pragmatic, the impression I get is more a stubbornness that seems to be point proving as much as anything else.

Hmmmm interesting - Do you mean you suspect he wants and feels he deserves equal pay with Sturridge based on his importance to the team etc?

 

[mark1975]

I wasn't trying to imply that you were being racial or anything so I'm sorry if my post came across as aggressive in that way.

The point I was trying to make was that any comparison between the two, for me, is a purely superficial one. I've had friends comparing Sterling to Lennon probably on the basis of watching some highlights of him on the wing. It ignores the type of player he is and his quality - which I think all the reasons above do also.

I get what you're trying to say, that right now it's not an open and shut case as to whether he'll establish himself as world class (and as good as I think he is, I agree with that)... but when you look at what we'd have to spend to replace him (see: Markovic) then it feels very much like a gamble we can't afford not to make.

Yes, the thing is, for all his potential, he's miles ahead of where Lennon and Walcott were at at the same stage, or indeed Markovic now. I don't really see the comparison in that respect, because I think he's got alot more going for him in terms of a few important factors:

* He can play a number of positions
* He's already capable of around 10 goals a season
* He can defend and has had tactical awareness drummed into him
* He has strength to supplement his attacking quality (ask one of the best defenders in the league, Kompany)
* He has great stamina and (touch wood), virtually no problems with injuries.

That's alot to weigh in, like you say, when you consider what we *could* replace him with, it's a massive, MASSIVE, gamble. Whether he makes it to the very top tier is the only question for me, he's already well on his way to establishing himself as one of the most talented young players in this league, or indeed Europe.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Not marketable? Is that for real? He's a marketing man's dream. His image is actually one of the main reasons I could see Real moving for him, even though he's not quite ready for that level.

I dont think he is yet...if you caompare him to Haames Rodriguez from the world cup. I dont think Sterling has any image right now !

 

[mark1975]

I dont think he is yet...if you caompare him to Haames Rodriguez from the world cup. I dont think Sterling has any image right now !

I'm sure there's a niche in the market for a young footballing Daddy of many, I vacated it some time ago.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Hmmmm interesting - Do you mean you suspect he wants and feels he deserves equal pay with Sturridge based on his importance to the team etc?

Nope, I meant more from the club. We seem to be determined to show we won't give in to players demands.

Unfortunately, like with agents fees previously, despite it being well intentioned, in football some pragmatism is also required, or you lose out to clubs without the same reservations.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Btw, he should deinitely get according to what others are getting. We dont like to upset someone by offering silly wages to Sterling. Be careful, before it becomes a trend that players are able to hold the club to ransom. If Sturridge is getting in the range of 130k, Sterling should be quite satisfied with 100k, or may be like 110k. Remember, Sturridge has proved himself at different clubs, he has scored more than 20 goals a season, well at lease once. So I think we should play it smart and convince Sterling and his agent that this is best money, place and country for you.

 

[Mystic]

But Sterling’s advisers know that Real Madrid and Manchester City WILL meet their demands of parity with Kop striker Daniel Sturridge's £130,000-a-week.

He doesn't deserve to earn as much as Sturridge, maybe once he's scored 20 goals in a season he will deserve too. Obviously this fact is complicated by the circling vultures who'll pay it, but you'd have hoped that at 20, his agents wouldn't have been so short sighted, he's in the best place for his development right now, if he goes to somewhere like City or Madrid he risks sitting on the bench and that being his last ever big contract.

 

[peterhague]

We're linked with Memphis Delay today after Felipe Anderson last week. Could be we're making contingency plans for Sterling leaving.

 

[cloggypop]

Get Depay anyway. He is going to be a boss player.

 

[cloggypop]

This Golden Boy award is going to end up costing us loads

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Sell him. It just doesn't matter.
Who cares if he is good or not? Players will come and go.
We've got Origi, Ojo, Wilson, and Ibe all gagging for a turn next season and we would have 50 million quid to spunk on Pogba.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Get Depay anyway. He is going to be a boss player.

I cannot believe I'm not getting ANY love for that great thread title about him.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

We're linked with Memphis Delay today after Felipe Anderson last week. Could be we're making contingency plans for Sterling leaving.

Isn't Felipe Anderson a DM? It's Depay btw - and he's fucking going to be a wonderful player.

 

[cloggypop]

I cannot believe I'm not getting ANY love for that great thread title about him.

I hadn't seen it.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I hadn't seen it.

i wonder who'll recognize the song ... or am I that old

 

[peterhague]

Isn't Felipe Anderson a DM? It's Depay btw - and he's fucking going to be a wonderful player.

I know it's Depay but my phone doesn't. Anderson is an AM in the Lucas Moura mould who plays for Lazio. Great dribbler, scores goals and lightning quick.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Sell him. It just doesn't matter.
Who cares if he is good or not? Players will come and go.
We've got Origi, Ojo, Wilson, and Ibe all gagging for a turn next season and we would have 50 million quid to spunk on Pogba.

It's still too early to sell him - don't sell the stock when it's still in the early stages of its rise.

We played it correctly with Suarez, when we rode the magic carpet and got the production we wanted in the season he stayed put, and then added probably 20m or more to his value (versus the Arsenal bid the previous season). Play out the same thing - agree on a new contract, which probably means paying a few tens of thousands more per week than initially expected / desired - then ride him hard in the next two to three seasons. Then entertain offers at that time. It might still not be peak value yet, but we'd be better for it in both ways by then, getting the production over the new contract period, and getting rid at a much better price.

 

[Silver Sean]

I find it staggering that what players earn is still referred to per week. Is there any other job left that refers to per week apart from cash-in-hand jobs at the local chippy? Weird.
Just call it what it is like they do in America - a £12 million 4-year deal. a £23 million 5-year deal, a £54 million 6-year deal or whatever. Putting it in weeks is designed purely to make idiot tabloids readers froth at the mouth.

 

[HC]

All contract jobs I've known of are on a daily/weekly payscale purely because of the lack of job security and high Cost of that individual.

Footballers are unique in that they have contracts but almost certain job security and 4 years + of employment at any one time.

 

[Red Mullet]

I find it staggering that what players earn is still referred to per week. Is there any other job left that refers to per week apart from cash-in-hand jobs at the local chippy? Weird.
Just call it what it is like they do in America - a £12 million 4-year deal. a £23 million 5-year deal, a £54 million 6-year deal or whatever. Putting it in weeks is designed purely to make idiot tabloids readers froth at the mouth.

We 'still' use faxes for transfers, lots to change before anything in football becomes modern.

 

[Fabio]

Didn't we have a similar thread last year?

Football is a silly beast