Ederson?!!

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I hope not.

But the money they are offering is different to any other project in world football. I'd worry after a couple more years they will be able to convince players that wouldn't look at it currently.

For Eddie though personally if he goes ill respect that decision. I don't have an issue with players wanting to take that generational wealth but have an issue with the Saudi approach as a whole. Its almost like what's next as they are proving they can just buy their way into the football big leagues/fifa.

It’ll only become a concern if UEFA allow them into the CL, but even then, they’d then have FFP restrictions.

 

[heslops barnet]

Won’t the Saudi league run out of money eventually?

 

[bell_mcfc]

It’ll only become a concern if UEFA allow them into the CL, but even then, they’d then have FFP restrictions.

Yes I was just thinking this, how long before they try and legitimise Saudi football by joining the CL.

I think their financial power is so vast and the fact that FFP needs looking at means they could join and FFP gets restructured/goes. Thats my worry.

They are talking about Turki Al-Sheikh buying all boxing organisations now so they are no issues making fights as they will fall under the same promotion. That might be great for the sport/fans but shows how serious they are and how much money they are willing to spend. It's scary when you break it all down.

 

[Shazza458]

Personally think this is the reason he signed a new deal.

Good keeper but Full time number 1 I also have doubts

Only thing I’d say is that Ortega only signed a 1 year extension on his current deal. Not like he signed a 5 year one, in which case I’d be thinking he’s been guaranteed the number 1 spot. Txiki also specified that he’s the best no2 out there when it was announced

I personally think the club will get a no1, if not we are just accepting a weakened goalkeeping department by buying back up for Ortega, who only signed a 1 year extension.

 

[freshie]

Same as coming here, right?

Ederson would have lived a very comfortable life if he stayed at Benfica.

No. He came here to win trophies

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Yes I was just thinking this, how long before they try and legitimise Saudi football by joining the CL.

I think their financial power is so vast and the fact that FFP needs looking at means they could join and FFP gets restructured/goes. Thats my worry.

They are talking about Turki Al-Sheikh buying all boxing organisations now so they are no issues making fights as they will fall under the same promotion. That might be great for the sport/fans but shows how serious they are and how much money they are willing to spend. It's scary when you break it all down.

They are really trying to sportswash. Football being global will stop their monopoly of that.

 

[clarion]

Won’t the Saudi league run out of money eventually?

Only if we keep buying EVs.

 

[ninjamonkey]

We would be incredibly foolish to allow him to leave. I understand the "you're free to leave whenever" mentality but it has to have limits. There's nobody on the planet even close to Ederson, our entire approach will have to change if he leaves and we instantly drop from being untouchable if a team wants to high press against us to it being a viable approach. People have become too used to edersons brilliance, once he's not in net every week many who are downplaying his importance will quickly realise there's nobody more vital than him.

I rate Ortega highly, very highly but he doesn't come close to being a replacement, we will have been significantly weakened if this happens and that's not ideal when you've got Pep for a limited time. Ederson is still young for a keeper, if he wants to go earn stupid amounts of money for a few years he will have the opportunity further down the line in the back end of his 30's, him going to Saudi now would be like a 23 year old outfield player making the move.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Brilliant shot stopper, but if the Fa cup final is anything to go by we don’t look as comfortable playing out from the back as we do with Ederson in net. We looked very shaky

A keeper with decent distribution and good shot stopping would be better. You can’t replace Ederson he’s the best in the world at distribution.

But if Ederson can't be replaced, then Ortega may get a chance.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Never underestimate the Saudi's. The money is there and soon it won't be just the old players at the end of their careers who go. Ruben Neves is one example. As the league gets stronger it is very possible many more leave.