Home > Football > Arsenal, Spurs and the dangers of foreign investment
by Pete Lyons-McCarthy on 19 April 2007
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In the light of David Dein's departure from Arsenal over ''irreconcilable differences'' with the board, which incidentally I took no pleasure in (OK, I smiled a little), I would question the increasing amount of 'new money' coming into the Premiership.
Fans expect their teams to compete at the highest level, but these aspirations are mostly complete fantasy, and totally unrealistic. Forums and newspapers are full of even more ridiculous stories linking players with potential suitors without any creditable source. This close season is going to be the silliest ever, with all clubs flush with cash due to the TV deal.
Any players connected with a move to the Premiership will automatically have their price hiked by the selling club; the player's agent will demand more salary than he would have asked for because he knows the money is there. Teams will be under enormous pressure from the fans the splash the cash on players who we all know will be mediocre at best.
No players will want to move on, as foreign or Championship clubs will be unable to pay anywhere near the salary the player has become accustomed to. Are you still happy about the windfalls now?
How many players out there are worthy of the price tags about to be put upon them? Not that many who are not already playing for Champions League teams.
I applauded Daniel Levy when he spurned Roman Abramovich a few seasons ago, yet if truth be known we didn't know about it until Abramovich bought Chelsea from Mr Whiskers, the electrocuting chairman.
It could easily have been Spurs who bought the league but sold their soul. And we, as fans, would have had no say about it whatsoever. Peter Hill-Wood appears to have done a Levy, and for Arsenal fans it must be a worse scenario insomuch that Spurs were mid-table, going nowhere fast, solely reliant on their fans' loyalty season after season.
Whereby Arsenal are fighting a battle to retain their top three/four status, Gunners fans will have to stand up and be counted, as I think there are few more thunderbolts heading their way. If Hill-Wood wins, does Arsene Wenger leave? If Hill-Wood loses, have you got yourself another Abramovich? But then again, Hearts fans may have thought that as well.
Manchester United fans seem quite content their club has a foreign board. But their circumstances are different as the Glaziers bought into an already successful club, and need to run it well in order to keep reaping the rewards. United are not 'potential' - it's almost a non-risk investment. Aston Villa, Liverpool, Portsmouth, West Ham and Millwall are now in overseas hands, but, with respect, fall into the 'potential 'category.
I personally hope that Arsenal retain their sovereignty, but I would say that, wouldn't I? The trick is finding someone who has football at heart firstly, and megabucks in his back pocket. Also someone who wouldn't interfere in team matters.
My gut feeling is that our game is under threat; you never get anything for nothing and regardless of how honey-coated the offer is, remember the things that are most bad for your health are often things that taste the sweetest.
I can foresee changes in the game itself with the United States audience targeted in the near future, because for some reason it doesn't work for them in its present state. These guys are not benevolent idiots who are throwing money away, as many of our chairman have done in the past. They are in it to make potloads, and I for one will interested to see how they intend to do it.
Be cautious, not everyone is a friendly benfactor, most are hard-nosed, ruthless businessmen, without a care for tradition, past glories or you, other than a means to end. Be wary of smiling 'soccer lovers' who are going to use your passion for their own ends, and to get their hands on your club, and there's not a thing you can do about it!
Comments (8)
by Olly on April 20, 2007
" applauded Daniel Levy when he spurned Roman Abramovich a few seasons ago, yet if truth be known we didn't know about it until Abramovich bought Chelsea from Mr Whiskers, the electrocuting chairman." I'm sorry but i have to disagree with this, from what i remember Levy didn't spurn Abramovich's overtures, when he met with the oil tycoon he didn't take him seriuosly. Levy didn't honestly believe that Abramovich was serious and therefore quoted him a ridiculous price for the club. As the story goes, Abramovich left the meeting in his helicopter and spotted Chelsea's ground on the trip home from WHL.
by Paxton Spur on April 20, 2007
I think you are absolutely right. What I think will happen is that 10 teams will break away and form a Super Premier ship: - Man utd Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea Spurs Everton Newc astle Aston Villa Celtic Rangers TV rights money would probably be 25% lower than now but split between fewer teams this increasing the top teams take. Or Collective TV bargining rights will go and clubs will negotiate their own deals with the TV companies.
by Drew10 on April 20, 2007
Well wonders will never cease, for once I agree with a Spurs fan on one of these pages. I also hope Arsenal retain their heritage (probably not for the same reasons) we are a club that have long survived doing things the right way. It is true that recently the millstone of the new stadium has weighed around our necks in terms of transfer budget but also is true that a mega bucks foreign investor does not guarantee success. Clubs like ours are a rapidly dying breed and we should protect them at all costs, case in point is the classless way the 'champions' go about their business. I must admit that I had not even considered that the American influence over the Prem may equate into changes in the rules of the game we love, already it has been discussed this season about the elimination of the draw. These big investors will want their investment to be successful on their home turf to maximise their profits and that will entail making the game more American. Lets fight to keep our clubs in British hands for as lo
by Me on April 20, 2007
I blame Jummy Hill!
by Lilywhiteinlove on April 20, 2007
Hard hitting futuristic, but well said and to be appauded!
by Pete Lyons-McCarthy on April 24, 2007
I suppose it depends on the spin you take on things. Yes it was reported that Levy thought it was a wind-up, but also it was reported that Abramovic wanted overall control of Spurs and ENIC were not prepared to relinquish their control. It does seem the latter is more factual as the relationship between the two clubs is frosty to say the least, and that was before Arneson's defection, which incidentaly has done nothing for Chelsea, but caused a major disruption to us. No Chelsea players coming over to us despite being constantly linked to a move, co incidence perhaps, but there you have it!
by Adam Spurr on April 29, 2007
Hi Pete. I agree in principle to what you are saying, but also must comment that it does seem that many clubs are now also being bought as the latest "Billionaire's accessory" with Chelski as the obvious example. Thankfully, with Spurs under the well managed control of Joe Lewis, I don't think that it's too likely to happen to us. It will be great to see how long this trend lasts however, as it is obvious to all that not every foreign chairman will be satisfied with their investment, especially when they start throwing pots of cash away in the great English tradition! Not everybody can make Europe after all...
by Pete Lyons-McCarthy on May 01, 2007
Hi Adam, it's the Joe Lewis issue that intrigues me?, I have been assured that he's nothing but a backer, and has absolutely no interest in football whatsoever, any insight?
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