Do you agree with it? Do you think it should be every 4 years? And how much of a factor do you think it should play in whether a club selects a player likely to be in that competition as a potential target?
For example, I read today (not saying I believe it) that a potential move for Zaha to Spurs could be scuppered by him probably being unavailable for selection for 6 weeks every 2 years. Should a team let that bother them?
With players like Yaya (from the time City signed him) I think you sign the player and just accept you have to do without the talent for that time.
Also where would you stand on Southgate, tactical picking? Giving somebody a single cap (in last 10 mins of qualifier) to ensure another country didn’t have him as an option?
It doesn’t sound nice, well not to the player concerned if he only ever got that single cap………..But it wouldn’t surprise me if it had been done before?
The ACON being every 2 years.
posted on 2/5/17
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 5 minutes ago
Don't think it's reallyup to anyone but the African associatons to decide how often it is, I get the point around how it impacts European clubs but ultimatley it's a decision for the African football federation.
Personally I wouldn't let it stop me signign a player, like take Mane for example, he's been brilliant and we really missed him when he was at ACON but I'd uch rathe rhae him and lose him every 2 years for a few weeks than not have him, I'm sure you'd have felt the same about Drogba or Essien?
2 years does seem quite often but from what I've read it does help the host nation in terms of revenue it brings in and it is helping to grow the game in Africa. Only concern I'd have is do they want it every two years for some corrupt reason? With FIFA you just never know.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Drogba and Essien yes. Would it put me off signing players not of their quality? Depends on the squad depth i suppose.
Side issue.... Did you see that link for the WW2 Drama? Worth a look. I was watching up to Sunday night. Would have last night but for my 2 year old rendering the TV useless
posted on 2/5/17
Don't see why people whinge so much about it. We're probably one of the few nations where clubs come before country, very few African nations make it to the World Cup unlike European teams so most would only get the shot at an international trophy once every 4 years if it changed.
No real reason for the African nations to move the time of year either, their leagues run from January and that'll be for a reason (i.e. conditions etc...).
Think the whole ACON argument is just a few rich European clubs throwing their toys out of their pram, in the rest of the world, international football is king.
posted on 2/5/17
No didn't see the link Flash, is it a drama or a documentary?
posted on 2/5/17
comment by Jordan Henderson's Backheel (Formally Kelly Is God) (U6983)
posted 2 minutes ago
Don't see why people whinge so much about it. We're probably one of the few nations where clubs come before country, very few African nations make it to the World Cup unlike European teams so most would only get the shot at an international trophy once every 4 years if it changed.
No real reason for the African nations to move the time of year either, their leagues run from January and that'll be for a reason (i.e. conditions etc...).
Think the whole ACON argument is just a few rich European clubs throwing their toys out of their pram, in the rest of the world, international football is king.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair enough. Take away personal opinion of Ken Bates, was he wrong to say as Babayaro was a regular for the full international team, Chelsea the club whom paid his wages should have been able to file a grievance about him being called up for U21s as well?
posted on 2/5/17
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 1 minute ago
No didn't see the link Flash, is it a drama or a documentary?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Drama. Will be on page 2-3 of Chelsea page now Was called the Winds of War (Robert Mitcham) and its Sequel was War and Remembrance.
posted on 2/5/17
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 10 minutes ago
No didn't see the link Flash, is it a drama or a documentary?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/367395
posted on 2/5/17
It is up to the African nations when and how often they have their tournaments. Nobody forces clubs to buy African players.
A bit of common sense would see the window it falls in mirror the 2-month break in European competition though
Long-term, they may find it beneficial to have it in the Summer though. If players are not getting big moves - and big money - they may kick up a fuss and not play in the tournament.
I do think it should be at a player's discretion if he plays for his country too. Nobody should be forced to play
posted on 2/5/17
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 29 minutes ago
It is up to the African nations when and how often they have their tournaments. Nobody forces clubs to buy African players.
A bit of common sense would see the window it falls in mirror the 2-month break in European competition though
Long-term, they may find it beneficial to have it in the Summer though. If players are not getting big moves - and big money - they may kick up a fuss and not play in the tournament.
I do think it should be at a player's discretion if he plays for his country too. Nobody should be forced to play
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed with that last paragraph. Was Batesy wrong about Baba?
For example, If you had a 18 year old player who was already world class and was established at senior international level, do you think a club should be able to step in and say no if the u21s came a calling?
posted on 2/5/17
I do not think the club should be able to, no.
I think it should be at the player's discretion always. I think it is out of order you cannot refuse to play for your country
posted on 2/5/17
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 10 minutes ago
I do not think the club should be able to, no.
I think it should be at the player's discretion always. I think it is out of order you cannot refuse to play for your country
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HRH
I know of one player who found a way round that.
Andy Goram played little or none of the Scotland Euro 96 Qualifying campaign, stating he wasn’t ‘mentally attuned’ to play for Scotland. Jim Leighton stepped up and helped Scotland qualify.
Then come the championships and Goram declared himself ready, Craig Brown picked him.
I actually felt sorry for Leighton in that scenario. Because there was a case to say Scotland might not have qualified if Leighton had said ‘on yer bike’ and they had to turn to whoever 3rd choice was back then?! I don’t dispute (in spite the ‘fatty labels’ Goram was a class goalkeeper. And he was better than Leighton. But I didn’t half feel sorry for Leighton at the time.