The College Dropout

I don’t like when ppl do this but lad must surely be on some kind of ADD spectrum. The look in his eye at points is something. Great cameo for him.

Unbelievable player and stamina

Jadon Sancho’s Man U contract is worth what? £60m? It’s insane.

Hmmm One 6 figure weekly contract in a 10+ year career in football isn’t a truly world class financial bagsman. Alvaro Morata has probably earned over £30m in football. That’s a bagsman.

How much is that after tax? How much has he spent and gone? How much did he have in liquid assets? How much does his house cost? I live in North West London. A PL footballer level house anywhere surrounding is about £2m. He’s taken home what, 3.5-£4m? Many such cases of losing what in reality is a small fortune. By forcing the move he’s doubled it.

I wouldn’t believe Wissa was a multimillionaire. Again, as fans who think we overestimate a lot footballers economic stability. Like if Wissa bought a house 45 minutes from west London, how much would that cost? How long is the mortgage?

Wissa had 2 years, Isak had 3. I think both players had good reasons to be annoyed by their contract situations tbf. Just that Wissa had more practical issues with his.

It's about 700k a year take home. £2.8m over the 4 years. Let's say he was sitting on £500k prior. He blows his knees out. He was sitting on about £3.3m. Probably spend £1m in those years on mortgage, cars, investments, life etc.And no hard skills in anything else in this left apart from playing football. Great money. If all goes well, a decent upper-middle-class life in the south of England or Northern France where he's from. Good private schools for the kids, a holiday spot in the Congo or somewhere. But it's not "fuck you" money. A bad divorce, a few bad investments - suddenly he's bankrupt or needs a regular cheque. Many such cases. He's now guaranteed to take home about £11m. He's much more resilient to bad financial situations.

He’s unsellable for a meaningful fee in Europe due to wages.

They might even get more than £100m.

No need to wonder. Saudi will be there with £60m-£100m no matter what.

Hmmmmm.... sign a 23 year old on a 6-year deal you say?

For me the biggest difference is one had real economic necessity to move and the other didn’t. Isak wouldn’t need to work after football regardless. With his age, profile in the game and existing contract he would never have to work again and provide for a family. This is with him getting back to back ACLs even and being finished. While at Brentford if Wissa suddenly had major injuries he would need to think about how he’ll feed his family for the rest of his life.

TBH I don't think UCL is the reason and I don't blame him. Wissa would be one of the least wealthy top level footballers of his age, ability and stature. He was at Lorient 4 years ago - doubt he was earning more than £500k p/a. He was 28 with a pension pot that wouldn't provide the lifestyle someone of his ability might expect to have. He's likely going to take home £10m-12m during his contract here and it might be the most he'll ever earn. The move will have secured his family for a couple generations.

Ok - I don't want to see you complain about the cartel then. Spurs, Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool have done a great job of marketing themselves all over the world for some years; Newcastle United hasn't, that's on us.

Prem teams have higher revenues and bigger budgets

I'm thinking Torres CL. Had a big moment. Isak will get minutes he won't sit on the bench and never get off.

From memory they had a 15 minute period where all their big chances happened and we maybe had 1 shot on target. We weathered that phase. Scored not long after. And never looked back and then they faded.

I’m the opposite. If he looks back on his career and his only trophies are with us and Sociedad - hes a prick. If he goes, flops but they keep winning major trophies. He was right to move, he just flopped.

Yeh for about 15 minutes they were on top and creating. from the time Bruno ran past one of their midfielders like Stevie G I knew it was over for them.

But it’s also possible for them to compete for the cup and domestically. If you’re Aston Villa you can’t give both your best shot. You don’t have the squad. And for European teams the moment may never come around again. The top 6 don’t have that problem. Europa League this year is wide open. There’s no CL super club in there this year.

You are right. Particularly below the elite. Partially it’s the internal competition of the PL that makes PL teams struggle to win the CL. Or sometimes struggle in the latter stages of the other comps. Like competing for top 5 and winning the Europa is difficult for Villa. But all cards in Europa from 2026 they have a great chance.

Fair assessment. We were just too fit, strong, quick etc. love Benfica as a club. But based on last night they would struggle in the PL.

Haven't followed them closely this season. But I don't like what Alonso is doing (I notoriously think Madrid are shit.... until they are great). I think you give Carlo - Huijsen, Carreras, Mastantouno, Trent... he does a better a job so far. Every time I watch them, they stink. Valverde will be at Madrid longer than Alonso. (if Alonso wins El Clasico I take everything back)

Think his contract is up at the end of the season.