Money Talks

 

With the European Championships now in full swing, the list of potential transfers will go through the roof. Players will be looking to sell themselves on the global market, and clubs will be looking to fuel their success for the coming season.

The fact is in football, money talks. The fine line between success and failure often lies in the cheque book. As Chelsea found this season, European success brings many financial rewards and justification of such large spending.

For clubs like Real Madrid, big spending is part-and-parcel of their game. And of course to beat Barcelona will be no cheap feat.

Teams are increasingly looking to secure the biggest sponsorship deal or gain the most from Television rights, and in many cases, exploiting their club’s prize possession, the fans.

There is of course the other side of the coin. Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group decided enough was enough with Kenny Dalglish, having spent over £114 million on new talent, only to finish eighth in the League.

Arsenal on the other hand, have looked at making profit before success. The club has made over £180 million on player sales alone since their move to The Emirates, meaning they average more than £8 million income every season. Trophies certainly do not dictate at Arsenal.

One thing is for sure, money definitely talks.

Finance Brings Success

Chelsea starting line-up v Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final

01 Cech £7,000,000; 03 Cole £5,000,000, 04 David Luiz £26,000,000, 17 Bosingwa £16,200,000, 24 Cahill £7,000,000; 34 Bertrand Academy, 08 Lampard £11,000,000, 12 Mikel £16,000,000, 10 Mata £23,500,000; 11 Drogba £24,000,000, 21 Kalou £8,000,000

Source: Transfer League

Total Spend: £143,700,000

League Position: Sixth

Trophy Success: FA Cup; Uefa Champions League

Chelsea benefitted from extraordinary luck to win the Champions league Final, but also had to thank a huge array of talent in their squad. Although the majority of the squad has been together for a while now, the cost is still a lingering downside to their success.

Roman Abramovich has been pining over European success since his takeover in 2003, and has shelled over £600 million to succeed, not to mention £50 million on a single striker.

Maybe now they have won it, he’ll turn his attention to making profit at the club? No chance, Eden Hazard has begun the big spending, £32 million of Champions League success gone already.

Manchester City line-up on final day of the Premier League Season:

25 Hart £600,000; 04 Kompany £6,700,000, 05 Zabaleta £6,500,000, 06 Lescott £22,000,000, 22 Clichy £7,000,000; 18 Barry £12,000,000, 19 Nasri £22,000,000, 21 Silva £25,000,000, 42 Y Toure £24,000,000; 16 Aguero £38,000,000, 32 Tevez £25,000,000

Source: Transfer League

Total Spend: £188,800,000

League Position: First

Champions at last. Forty four years since Manchester City last lifted the League title, and this is quite possibly the most dramatic title triumph. The secret to City’s success surely isn’t a secret, buying the best players for a big fee is obvious. The star players David Silva and Sergio Aguero cost over £63 million between them, and the most consistent performer, Joe Hart, ironically only cost £600,000. Almost £200 million was spent on the winning formula by Roberto Mancini, a heavy price to pay for a victory by goal difference.

Real Madrid team which beat Barcelona in La Liga:

Casillas Academy, Pepe £26,400,000, Ramos £23,700,000, Khedira £12,320,000, Ronaldo £80,000,000, Benzema £30,000,000, Ozil £15,800,000, Xabi Alonso £31,500,000, Coentrao £26,400,000, Arbeloa £3,520,000, Di Maria £29,000,000

Source: Transfer Markt

Total Spend: £278,640,000

League Position: First

It’s no real surprise Real Madrid were going to be competing in Champions League semi-finals and title races this year, with some of the World’s very best players in their line-up.

To beat Barcelona in a League season is impressive, considering its taken Real 4 years to pip Messi and co. to the title. The need to spend big in Spain is apparent, and Real’s craving for European glory will ensure they are again at the top of the big-spenders list this summer.

Finance condemns failure

Dalglish sacked because of over spending
Total Spend: £114,000,000

League Position: 8th

Trophy Success: Carling Cup

With around half-a-million-pound between each League position, and only £100,000 for Carling Cup success, Kenny Dalglish was destined to fall beneath the wielding axe of financial judgement. The club’s worst finishes in the history of the Premier League was the end for King Kenny, and will be a warning to the future manager Brendan Rodgers, spend well, or get sacked.

Andy Carroll, a British Record £35 million clearly felt the weight of the world from that transfer from Newcastle. He began to find his feat in the final weeks of the season after a difficult 18 months, but without providing an immediate goal return, FSG may have to think thoroughly about future striker signings.

Stewart Downing. Not a single goal or assist in the League last term, all that for £20 million? Enough said.

Jordan Henderson was clearly a good signing. An England International in his early 20’s, potential sell-on value and a good player. But it seemed the midfielder left much of his quality back at Sunderland. The management didn’t help him either, constantly changing his position and never giving him a consistent run. Henderson however will feel next year could be a make-or-break season at Anfield, before finances again dictate his own personal direction.

It’s clear to see; finances in World Football will inevitably dictate success and define failure. For those with the backing, money won’t be seen as the root of all evil, but the route to success. For those who cannot spend efficiently, a newspaper column looks their most likely destination.