Ever increasing revenues being distributed throughout the Premier League, combined with the FA’s home grown quota is creating an enormous pressure to clubs when it comes to purchasing players and assembling squads for the forthcoming season. Clubs can register 25 first team players, however 8 must be ‘Home Grown’.
Pre season commences in less than 24 hours. As of tomorrow, the British transfer market finally reopens , leaving fans up and down the country watching and hoping their club bring in the necessary players needed to reinforce and address issues from the previous campaign. Newcastle United have for the previous seasons looked to the European markets, as opposed to looking closer to home at British options. Newcastle are far from the only club to do this. The question which should be asked is why? Why are British players, especially England internationals only moving between the big clubs? I want if possible to look at a case study using 3 players:
1) Premier League regular & England International
2) High potential prospect in terms of ability and chance to break into the England Squad
3) Foreign international based with a neighbouring European league
[Players mentioned are being used for example only to create a comprehensive comparison.]
As you can see from the above table, I have selected 3 players from given Criteria. Jordan Henderson, Will Hughes and Georginio Wijnaldum create the basis of the report.
Jordan Henderson is a current England International, currently plying his trade for Liverpool. This type of player is out of Newcastle United’s range for many reasons.:
An astronomical transfer fee is something way beyond current budgets in place at Newcastle United.
Henderson’s wages of £5m per annum would far exceed the highest earner of Fabricio Coloccini, rending the deal unworkable or financially viable.
Premier League’s top 4 appear the only the clubs capable of financing such large deals. FA quotas mean elite clubs will always be on the lookout for English talent. Clubs such as Newcastle are unable to match these teams and deliver a package as lucrative financially.
At no stage am I expecting, nor wanting Newcastle United to engage in discussions to acquire Henderson. England Internationals are viewed as blue chip players. Premiums are paid for the chance of acquiring such a player. Looking back over recent deals involving England Internationals you will see players such as James Milner, Joleon Lescott, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw have moved for fees in excess of £25 million? Are these players really worth this kind of money? Manchester City and Manchester United believed so! Would Elite European club teams such as Barcelona have shelled out these fees for the same players? No would be my answer.
Fee is obviously what would hinder a deal for Henderson but what are the plus points to such a deal? Given the size of the fee and wages involved there must be positive aspects!
Henderson fills the requirements of a home grown player, allowing a club to adhere to current legislation and quota.
‘Premier League Experience’, media and commentators see this attribute as a major plus. Henderson will be well aware of teams, culture, physical and mental pressures as well as expectations within the league. Clubs scouting him will have watched Henderson play against league opposition, giving the club a chance to know beforehand where he will fit within a current system.
As Britain is his place of birth, Henderson will have no issues when it comes to language and communicating with teammates, again allowing a quick, integration into a new squad. Players born in England understand the importance of key derbies and rivalries, something foreign counterparts may fail to grasp.
Will Hughes, currently playing at Derby County, is the next ‘generation’ of what is hoped to be a future international. At 20 year old Hughes has caught the eye of many onlooking scouts displaying technical ability and a potential to be a ‘premier league star’ for years to come. This type of player is within Newcastle United’s price range, however there could be pitfalls to the deal as well as outstanding positives.
How will Hughes react to a complete different level of football? Championship football by and large is a million miles away from the Premier League now. TV revenues from Sky have seen the gap between the Premier League and Championship grow with every passing year. The Championship is a physical battleground leaving very little difference between opposing sides. Stepping up to the premier league he will be playing amongst some of the finest players in the world. Will the step up be too much and overwhelming? Wilfried Zaha, a classic example of a player failing to make the grade. Having signed for Manchester United from Crystal Palace, Zaha failed to live up to the expectation placed upon him. Manchester United subsequently sold him for less than half of their original outlay.
An estimated transfer fee believed to be in the region of £12-£15 Million pounds would possibly allow you to buy Hughes. Given he is only 20 what are you buying? The answer to that is potential. You are buying, whilst guessing he has the acumen and desire to the very top. No one is able to predict the future. Potential can be spotted but seeing that potential develop leads you to a grey area of unknown.
Hughes is only 20. His body, both physically and mentally are still developing. Recruiting players like this could see them take longer to reach the necessary standard required for the first team. Clubs with smaller budgets and a need to reinvest to problematic areas cannot wait for this development process, especially at such a large outlay.
Buying Hughes should not be seen though as a negative move their is fine points to a deal of this kind:
Players have moved from the Championship to the Premier League and made big impacts. Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Jenas were purchased from the championship and integrated superbly within Sir Bobby Robson’s Newcastle squad. Helping the club reach the Champions league. Recently Players such as Jay Rodriguez, Nathaniel Clyne and Charlie Austin have performed admirably since stepping up from the Championship.
English talent at such a young age allows clubs to adhere to current legislation whilst having technically brilliant players. Clubs are not naive they know what they are acquiring is a risk. Clubs are prepared to take a risk as they see the benefits in tutoring a fine talent to be the star they hope of him. No transitioning period is needed nor is there a problem with language and communication. Clubs can get to work with the individual immediately .
English talent as mentioned before comes at a premium. Should the initial risk pay off you can expect offers 3 times the initial outlay. Clubs see the benefit he has to their team first and the sell on fee secondly. Both should be seen as a positive.
Georginio Wijnaldum is a current Netherlands international plying his trade in his native homeland. Newcastle over the recent weeks have been rumoured to have registered an interest. What are the pitfalls to such a deal?
Can Wijnaldum handle to intensity of the premier league? As like every foreigner who enters the league there is an element of unknown. Players have arrived in England and went on to become world class, household names, such as Vieira, others have floundered, sinking without a trace…. Remember Albert Luque or how about Marcelinho?
Whilst most foreign imports have a knowledge of the English language, not every play is accustomed. Communication between coaches and team mates becomes problematic. Time has to be spent educating the individual to be able to communicate.
Weather, surroundings, cultural and religious differences can mean extra time is needed for the player to settle in to the club. This also become relevant when entering the field of play. Intensity and physicality could be a world away from what the player has previously become accustomed to.
Holland, like France and Portugal have good standard leagues, what they lack though is financial resources to compete with the Premier League. The Premier League is a Marketing Juggernaut allowing clubs to offer financial packages way beyond their current clubs. With this players and individuals can become mercenaries. They have no want or desire to play and represent the club, however monetary gain and greed is their only agenda. Clubs have to guard against this to allow them to achieve the maximum from their investment.
Wijnaldum has plus points, which should be considered:
Having Represented Holland at international level and played in European competition, it would be incredibly harsh to suggest Wijnaldum couldn’t achieve the same level of performances within the premier league. Having Captained Feyenoord, onlooking scouts can see Wijnaldum has character and mental toughness to lead a team. Something which will stand him good stead as his career develops. Holland reached the World Cup semi finals, beaten by eventual finalists Argentina. Wijnaldum’s stock grew due to good performances at the tournament. Playing at this level gives you an inclination of what kind of player you are purchasing. You aren’t merely judging him solely from his domestic league
Wijnaldum may be unable to speak fluent English, however with his countrymen Krul and Janmaat already in the Newcastle squad they would help Wijnaldum settle and learn the language. Having players from the same background and surroundings allows for a far easier integration.
Wijnaldum will cost less than half of an English counterpart. A big plus point as Newcastle United can upgrade the area of the squad needed within the budget whilst allowing more players to be purchased as opposed to one ‘Marquee English International’.
Newcastle are more than capable of staying within budget, whilst offering Wijnaldum a lucrative financial package. Competing against the top four of England would see Newcastle most likely lose out. Quality doesn’t have to downgraded in order to stay within the required budget.
Unlike Hughes, Wijnaldum is an international, playing at his maximum. Whilst he hasn’t reached his peak the player could more often than not fit straight into a first XI, something Newcastle need.
Conclusion
What I hope to have achieved is give you a foundation to why clubs look at certain markets when looking to improve squads. There is no right or wrong answer. Every club is unique in their thinking pattern and decision making. As fans we can only look on and hope the decision makes come to the correct decisions. If you analyse the figures they offer very little relevance to who is the perfect fit for Newcastle United. Facts create a foundation but should never be used a final decision maker. Character, work rate, desire, motivation as well as technical, mental and physical attributes will all be factored into a decision. We all know the Jordan Hendersons of this world are not going to be acquired by Newcastle so the choice is between potential and Foreign international. Given the choice in our current predicament I would choose Wijnaldum. Newcastle require players and individuals who can come in and create an immediate impact. You cannot guarantee that from Hughes. Watching Wijnaldum you can see the technical and mental characteristics are their. I’m not asking you to support or disagree with my opinion just offering a balanced view on the subject. Newcastle might think polar opposites to myself therefore looking on in the next few weeks will certainly be interesting.
