Shop-aholics

Any football fan would have been on the edge of their seat on transfer deadline day a couple of days ago. The rumours of the almost-signed and the players on strike were, as usual, a constant feature over the last couple of months.Sure, there were disappointments which certain clubs suffered over the last season, which could have prompted a knee-jerk reaction to reach for their cheque-book. Then again, there are those which are just plain greedy.

The picture pretty much sums up his time in Madrid

We hear the words ‘strengthening our squad’ almost as often as Sergio Busquets throws himself to the floor. Having resources is what a football club is all about, and the use of those resources is what usually determines a club’s success. But, when greed enters this philosophy, a back-fire of sorts is set in motion. For instance, Real Madrid have always been a home for the world’s best talent. The ‘Galacticos’ ruled over the world of football with sheer wealth of talent as well as money power. Yet, this philosophy proved to be a temporary success, and as we all know, Barcelona have steamrolled them for the majority of the past few years through youth development and a few choice signings. Madrid still have all the money in the world, along with amazing players but it’s just not the same. It can’t possibly be the same, when you look at Madrid and see players like Kaka on the bench day after day. The history of Real Madrid is why it will always be a temptation for players to want to join their establishment, but as we’ve seen, a lot of them are as noticed as the club furniture. These players lose their best years trying to fulfill their dreams at a club that never really valued them but instead, bought them so their rivals couldn’t use them.

Just 1 more signing please

There is a similar trend with Manchester City. Although with less malice, the blue half of Manchester has been unabashed when it comes to forking out the cash, and have cultivated an impressive squad with strengths in all areas. However, Mancini’s words after the transfer window closed baffled me. Roberto Mancini was ‘frustrated’ by the way business was conducted at his club, and claimed that he was unable to go after his first-choice signings. This statement came after he concluded the deals of Javi Garcia, Matija Nastasic, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Maicon. Now, the first question anybody would ask is, why would you buy players you never really wanted in the first place? His statement couldn’t have done much for morale. If someone told you that they wanted somebody else but they settled for you, that wouldn’t make you too happy would it? Regardless, that is what has happened. When you have the financial backing that City has, money isn’t really a problem, but the lack of respect for it might come back to haunt them in the form of unhappy players and dressing room conspiracies.

Esteban Granero – Just one, out of several desperate signings for QPR

A more surprising development was the way Queens Park Rangers went out and spent the cash! 11 players in almost as many days is definitely more than just ‘strengthening the squad’. It reeks of desperation. After their performances in the first two games, it’s obvious the management had no faith in the current set up and sought to practically buy a new team so that they can compete. New players have been brought in from top quality teams from within the Premier League as well as from top leagues around Europe. On paper, they look too good to go down, but on the other hand they might turn out to be a squad of individuals who won’t be able to gel together. There are players like Julio Cesar, who says he has joined QPR ‘to win trophies’. Really Julio, is that what you think? A touch of reality would go well with the hard work that these players will have to put in to even come close to competing for a Europa League spot, let alone a title. The club has followed the Chelsea-Manchester City philosophy by trying to buy instant success. It has worked in the past, so why not QPR?

The only thing that worries me, is that in their ruthless quest for success, the professional lives of the athletes that make a club what is it, will be lost. Players will have to answer to their price tags and not themselves or their managers.When money starts to take prime focus over football, you know you have a problem. Whether Michel Platini’s financial fair play rules which come into effect next year will have any impact, is yet to be seen So until then, sit back and wait for January, because there is plenty of money still to be splashed.