Major: Benzema - RM Oezil - RM Sanchez - Barca Nasri - City Hazard - Chelsea (Full house! ) Minor: Ramsey - Arsenal O-Chamberlin - Arsenal Pogba(!?) - Juve (?) IN: Major: None... zero, nada Minor: Smalling - trumped Arsenal for his signature. Jones - Warded off interest from top clubs in England. Am I missing anyone? Not looking good, is it? We're the biggest brand there is, but are constantly trumped on agent fees and wages.. the only one who turned us down outright was Sanchez. Am I right in saying Berba-Berba is the last major signing we trumped someone considered a competitor for? That was many moons and windows ago now... I wonder what the talk is Glazer towers. It does not look good for our brand to be second tier in the market even if the reasons we are are valid. My point? Dopn't have one, really... it just popped into my head that we've had the Full House run on us in the last few windows without even having to go back a few more to the Essien's et al.
Sanchez really wanted to come a year before his transfer, we didnt show enough interest for 35 m and wages after knowing he wants to go to Barca. Arsenal may trump us for that Powell kid (no surprise) and perhaps Kagawa. Of all those missed we never seemed to be interested in similar talents for similar value, for e.g. if we are ready to pay whatever for Sanchez but never signed anyone else, or Oezil or Nasri last year. We will see with Hazard, that is missing out on 4 big talents and not having an alternative plan. Though it is interesting to see what view point we take, dont get involved or compete at the fullest.
It also tells us we've been looking for a left-sided AM type for a long time with Sanchez being the exception. We've been after a dynamic passing, dribbling and penetrative threat for over 2 years. lol
Gill or SAF is on record saying we bid a large amount for Benezema and he chose Madrid. I'm OK with us not caving on agent fees or crazy wages... but unfortunately the model that brought in someone like Ronaldo or Rooney or even Nani can't be used any longer but I feel like we are still using it. you guys know me, I still really like our team and adding a few pieces here and there this summer will definitely improve us. plus if any of our young talent pool can make the step up that's another bonus. it is just this "instant society" that we live in that if don't land a major signing each summer then we're doing something vastly wrong. I don't agree with that but that's not to say I wouldn't love Sanchez or Benzema or Ozil or Hazard in our team. but what can you do? we're saddled with debt so we can only go so far. hopefully the right moves will be made again this summer. we made investments in the future last summer and those will continue to come good.
Its about a strategy, nobody is asking to sign a big name player ever summer but after Nani/Anderson who is the an elite attacking/midfield talent we have brought, its 5 years this window, debt is going to be paid as long as we are successful on the pitch, the moment we start losing there we will lose edge in sponsorships etc.
Benzema is an interesting one, but truth be told, like Sanchez, I think he had his heart set on his destination as he idolized Ronaldo Lima and wanted to follow in his footsteps. I doubt we could've landed him over RM even if we offered more money.
Do we really splurge THAT much on attacking talent? Or are we a team that maybe makes a large purchase every few years and then supplements that player with complementary parts? Berbatov in 09 Rooney in 04 Ruud in 2001 Yorkie in 1998 We get a large player every few years and then supplement them.
Whatever we're trying to do at the moment is certainly not by choice. With Benzema added, that's 5 serious attacking threats we've been after in the last 2yrs and have acquired none.
A) Spain's tax laws during those transfers were quite a large effect on what we could offer. As they bring their laws into line with England's that may improve. It is not said enough - some players just don't want to play for United, as opposed to Madrid/Barca. And not only for monetary reasons.
Sanchez was very very interested, but as soon as he got himself established and Barca went for him he didnt look back, who would.
To add to this we beat a few clubs to Jones as well. And maybe Madrid for Valencia if we are going slightly further back.
Should have, he was keen, we saw a big talent after selling Ronaldo, dont know why we never went through, should have nabbed him AND Valencia as it was a huge gap.