Ok I don't but bet that got your attention....
It's been very interesting reading over everyones thoughts about our transfer policy (or lack of it), so I just thought I would write an article to try and defend Gourlay and the board a little bit because IMO they have been a little bit unfairly criticised.
The problem he and our transfer negotiating team have is that teams are in a position where they can hardball us very easily with holding out for massive transfer fees for players that quite simply aren't worth it.
Its partially our own fault, we haven't produced enough youth prospects to say to the selling team, well if we can't buy your player, then we have X or Y coming through to play instead. (However this is hopefully starting to change with a very promising bunch of youth players coming through now).
We have also shown over the past few years that we are willing to pay massive fees for players and so selling clubs now demand huge fees for their own players, something with FFP coming in and Roman's pursestrings being tightened we can no longer do.
Also you have to consider that we are trying to conduct our business in the same climate as Manchester City, Malaga and PSG spending massively. I'm not having a dig at those clubs, they have every right to pursue their transfer policies as they see fit (like we did in 2003) but it is a huge factor in our lack of transfer activity.
What you could criticise Gourlay and the negotiators for is the purchase of Torres in January which has obviously caused an inflation in the market. However very few of us were complaing about it at the time, when we were fifth and looking like we might struggle to qualify for the Champions League.
Its very easy to blame the board for our lack of transfer activity but IMO there are a set of circumstances which make it very difficult for them to get value for money for us. Even the legendry Colin Hutchinson might have struggled.....
I love Ron Gourlay!!!
posted on 31/7/11
Wouldn't mind a right back to cover Ivanovich either..... Bosingwa's a liability and not the same player he was when we signed him. Think Paulo's been a great servant but still worry when he's in the side nowdays.
posted on 31/7/11
Get your point, not sure I agree with them though
As far as I can see Gourlay has been a cancer. Every decision he;s made has been disastrous. Let's look at them
Ditching Wilkins. Likely been over-stated but it hardly helped. Turned a crisis into a full blown catastrophe
Torres signing. Hoisetd upon the manager a player who hadn't hit his best form for the best part of 2 years. Carlo did misuse Nando but a misfiring £50 million striker caused big upsets
What maddens me about this window is tht we haven't made any progress. We took an age to sign Thibaut and then loaned him straight back out, we;re not addressing any of our main concerns
We need a midfield playmaker, a winger and a backup RB. Our progress so far. Spurs won't sell Modric and are royally ****** at us. Pastore looks set for PSG. We haven't even been looking at anyone else
And now he;ss talking about loaning out youngsters. If Sturridge and/or Mceachran are loaned out and no replacement brought...
Value for money is harder to come by, but not impossible. Mata's buyout clause is apparently £20 million. Why the hell have we not even regustered an interest?
This current squad is not good enough, yet it's looking increasingly likely we won't have made ANY additions to the first team come the 14th
posted on 31/7/11
It's not only until the 14th...we have a month left starting tomorrow. That's a long time. Yes they would miss a few games but better late than never, know? I'm sure the baord recognise just as much as us what needs to happen within the club and they've tried. Anelka and Malouda won't shift however, PSGG came uot of nowhere and 'arry is being 'arry
posted on 31/7/11
If necessary force Nelks and Malouda out. They have been some of our weakest performers this pre-season. Tell them if they don't leave they'll be training with the reserves if they won't leave
If Romeu and Courtouis prove our only signings this window I'll be worried. Look how good City and United are at the moment, we managed second last season because Arsenal and Spurs fell apart after the new year
If we are to compete with these clubs, the minimum that's needed is a winger and a midfield playmaker
Bear in mind the ffp rules next year which will make re-enforcing an aging squad even harder
posted on 31/7/11
Big Ron:
http://americanflagimages.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Dinosaur-Images.jpg
posted on 31/7/11
The problem he and our transfer negotiating team have is that teams are in a position where they can hardball us very easily with holding out for massive transfer fees for players that quite simply aren't worth it.
_____________________________________
We've got negotiators have we? It doesn't look like it at times.
The only reason that people play hardball with us is because they know that we allow our hearts to rule our heads and will pay whatever we have to, to get what we desire. When Mr A decides on a Marquee signing he doesn't care how much over the odds he has to pay to acquire it or whether he is sending the wrong signals to the rest of the football world, on the next occasion that he goes shopping.
Then when we try not to be held to ransom eg. Modric, the opposition hold out because they know that sooner or later, we will blink first and will be back later with a higher offer.
IMHO at times as a club we have more money than sense!!
posted on 1/8/11
As far as I can see. The main problem is that you folks should stop believing speculation blurted out by the cack media.
You'll find life, sport, and supporting Chelsea is generally more enjoyable.
posted on 1/8/11
comment by The Blue Kenyan ¡Viva Sturridge! (U1641) posted 7 hours, 39 minutes ago It's not only until the 14th...we have a month left
starting tomorrow. That's a long time. Yes they would
miss a few games but better late than never, know?
I'm sure the baord recognise just as much as us what
needs to happen within the club and they've tried.
Anelka and Malouda won't shift however, PSGG came uot of nowhere and 'arry is being 'arry
------------------------------------
Hahahhaha its 1st august and we have one month left till 14th hahahahaahahahahaah
posted on 1/8/11
comment by DreamTeamBluee (U5861) posted 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
comment by The Blue Kenyan ¡Viva Sturridge! (U1641) posted 7 hours, 39 minutes ago It's not only until the 14th...we have a month left
starting tomorrow. That's a long time. Yes they would
miss a few games but better late than never, know?
I'm sure the baord recognise just as much as us what
needs to happen within the club and they've tried.
Anelka and Malouda won't shift however, PSGG came uot of nowhere and 'arry is being 'arry
------------------------------------
Hahahhaha its 1st august and we have one month left till 14th hahahahaahahahahaah
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Erm you may want to try rereading the post mate
posted on 1/8/11
Good point by mariory, though I am sure everyone enjoys supporting Chelsea whatever their views.
I would add I see Gourlay no more than a mouth piece, I don't blame him for any issues or failures of the club to sign players set prices etc. Whoever comes up with an idea or request for a new player the decisions will be made by a team and ultimately sanctioned by the owner. If the owner feels any one is not right for the club he will get rid.
And let's face it if he is willing to sacrifice the likes of Jose or Carlo in spite of what they won then I am sure if he is not happy with the performance of anyone else at Chelsea he will get rid of also.