Unbelievable

He's 29, not 39 and about to retire

Except it's not PIF money

How so specifically? Seems oddly discriminating, to the point of being racist, to argue that all clubs and companies from the same nationality as a club's owners are related parties.

As much as I love him and think we're going to miss him loads, that fee sounds reasonable. Anything under 20m and I don't think it would be worth it.

Just in

Since we'll not be willing sellers surely we set a price we'd be somewhat comfortable with. I wouldn't be comfortable with 10m, so if that means Bayern don't get him tough luck. I'm sure he'll get back to being his brilliant self after the initial disappointment wears off.

Agreed. It'd have to be significantly more than that to make it worth our while.

If (big if) he wants out, not an awful lot. Leaders don't abandon their team.

We have a winner :lock:

Reports in NL that Man U are after Brobby. Love to see Ten Hag throwing good money after bad at Ajax

How are they being “sponsored”? I mean it’s clear the “big” clubs have a massive influence on their policies and behaviour, so not doubting their lack of objectivity, but you’d imagine it’s in their interest to make the league as successful as possible. A stale product where the same teams always finish in roughly the same positions, and where challengers are actively discouraged, does not equal (commercial) success you’d expect.

https://web.archive.org/web/20181016135229/https://ashleyout.com/finances/match-day-revenue/ I may still have the Excel somewhere on my laptop

I agree in principle, but I also agree with the assessment that the cards are stacked against us (and others in our position). Other sports, like motorsport, try to keep the field close using "balance of power" measures (e.g. additional weight in faster cars). The PL has quite equitable distribution of TV revenue (compared to La Liga for example), but FFP as currently implemented, and especially FMV, has cemented the strong starting position of the clubs that just happened to be on top when these rules came into effect. Our owners' wealth and commitment will eventually see us make up the difference I'm sure, but it will take a lot of time and meticulous planning from our higher ups. What I'd love to see one day is for the "big six" to face karma when they try to make up ground to us and can't due to rules stopping them to spend beyond their means.

It make sense that the limit for teams qualifying for Uefa competition is in line with Uefa’s own rule, no..? It would we worse if the PL rule allowed a lower percentage for clubs not in Europe as that would really give the bigger clubs an unfair advantage. The proposed rule at least gives teams not in Europe a possibility to catch up, whilst providing some protection against clubs going bust. Everything hinges on what metric any percentage is taken of though. If its revenue of any kind that’s fine. If its artificially restricted revenue it’s as farcical as the current system in place.

Exactly. It can’t (continue to) be: you’re only allowed a stadium sponsor for 20m because your revenue is currently smaller than Manchester United’s, who have a 50m stadium sponsor. That’s a self-sustaining rule.

In isolation this would actually not be too bad, as long as they abolish stuff like the 3 year rolling loss limit and “fair” market value based on the perceived current size and reputation of the club rather than limiting it to not exceed the outright highest non-related party reference. In short, if owners can invest in their club a squad cost/wage cap, which in theory is the same for everybody as long as revenue is not capped, is the way to go.

Exactly this. If we had any more options Miley probably wouldn’t have seen any action this season. There’s a balance to be struck and in terms of numbers we’re doing it just about right. Multiple severe injuries at the same time have torpedoed our season. There’s lessons to be learned in terms of spreading the workload more evenly, and we obviously need more quality if we want to compete, but to call the combined midfield options of Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff, Anderson and Miley a “disgrace” is laughable.

Oh, you can do it like Ashley did, not pay a penny for such advertisement, no bother. “Fair” market value he lads..?

Absolutely gutted, fuck off

Great goal tbf

Fuck this season, so fed up with it all

Oh for crying out loud

Don’t be silly

This offside rule man

Dubs