The summer transfer window is in full swing right now. One month completed and another to go we’ve seen quite some activity (mainly emanating from free-spending Man. City) But what has each situation taught us about how teams do business? Not all decisions have been wise and some have been quite questionable. However such is the unpredictability of football that it wouldn’t be surprising to expect a few last minute dramatic twists.
1. Deal quickly with unrest
Biggest culprits: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) Wayne Rooney (Man. Utd) Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)
Nobody likes an employee who isn’t happy. The fate of the above mentioned has been in question since before the season ended last year. For two of them (Bale and Suarez) it’s only a matter of time before someone “bigger” came along and offered what the current employer couldn’t. The only way to tackle this situation would be to show your ambition. Spurs and Liverpool missed out on Champions League this season and that has already put them on the back foot in regards to their aspirations. Deliver on your promises and their loyalty will not be put into question. The biggest problem with a situation like this is the mass exodus that it leaves in its wake. When the most important player from a team departs it usually leads to unrest and can be the cause of several players wanting to leave themselves. It is then important to provide reassurances to both players and fans alike to prevent a backlash.
2. Know when to call it a day
Biggest culprits: David Moyes (Man. Utd)
There is a difference between perseverance and persistence. Manchester United have had two bids rejected by footballing giants F.C Barcelona for their talented midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The player has constantly made it known that he is happy with his role at the Catalan club. There comes a time where the pursuing club must concentrate their focus elsewhere. This is a difficult situation to be in as a manager. Especially for David Moyes who has the very difficult task of replacing one the most successful managers of this era. To make his ambition and intents known it is important for him to make an impact in his signings and show that he can attract the best talent through his own past achievements. This can only be done through either making a significant signing this season or to win at least one major cup. If either of the two are accomplished then he has some breathing space (for this season at least) It is therefore essential for him to be certain that his first season in charge is a successful one and that starts with his approach in the transfer market. It’s easy to fall into the trap of hiring players from your old club (as many managers do) which leaves expectant fans underwhelmed.
3. Build your empire slowly
Biggest culprits: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal
Spurs are one of those rare football teams that have achieved a top four finish without spending over the odds on transfers. Their refusal to sell their players for reduced prices over the years is something to be admired as well. This season is no different. Their activity in the transfer market has been quite interesting. The players they have brought in so far (Paulinho, Chadli and Soldado) are the type of players who show promise and are highly rated. With the money they have at their disposal and the potential funds they could acquire with transfer money coming in they could easily splash out £30 million + on the next wonder kid. However their strategy over the years has been to build slowly and allow young talent to grow and gain experience. Players like Dawson, Caulker, Jenas, Campbell, Livermore and King are just some of the players who have come through this methodology and have played an important part in Spurs’ success thus far. This shows that slow and steady can win the race (for top 4). It also earns respect in the football world as the premier league is mainly made up of foreign footballers and not enough British ones.
4. Less is more
Biggest culprits: Manchester City
On the other side of the tracks we have Manchester City. It’s no secret that Man. City like to spend big in the transfer window. It has only been 30 days thus far and already they have spent in the region of £90 Million. Something they haven’t learned from their many transfer windows in the past is that the team with the biggest (and in their case most expensive) squad isn’t always the team that wins. With an “average” season (still 2nd mind!) and the loss of the F.A cup still fresh in their minds the last thing any fan wants is a repeat of last season. Unfortunately that seems to look like the case once again. With so many egos all vying for a place in the starting line-up City will have quite a predicament to deal with when it comes to squad selection. This will ultimately lead to upset within the camp. It is never wise to hire more help than you can manage. That money can be put into development of their youth squad. Keeping everyone happy in a squad of that is quite an impossible task when you have so many hungry players wanting to start.
5. Cashing in
Biggest culprits: (Gareth Bale) Tottenham Hotspur, (Luis Suarez) Liverpool
It may not be what people want to hear these days but football is becoming less about loyalty and passion and more about which team is offering you the most financially. Unfortunately it has turned into a very profitable business. The above mentioned players carry a huge price tag on their heads (Tottenham are asking for £125 Million for Bale) with unrest growing and the pressure to add to your squad it’s difficult to decide when you should cash in. Haggling over prices can cause a once in a lifetime opportunity (in the form of £80 million) to quickly disappear and the buyers to look elsewhere. This might avoid the situation for the time being but in the long run it will mean the player will run their contract down and leave for free when it’s finished. Cashing in at the right time then becomes more important.
Hakim Shujaee is a Creative Thinker and Designer at Happy Creative, a full service marketing and creative agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk
