Saudi Sovereign fund

That is the very definition of a puff piece.

Nothing he says is wrong, per se, but it is absolutely not a balanced analysis of current overall football market, the impact of the SIF hoovering up talent across the European leagues for wages a magnitude greater than offered in any other league in the world (not even we, the destroyers of football, did that), nor the viability (or sustainability) of the Saudi Pro League.

In fact, he bemoans European football’s talent drain in Africa and South America without so much as a nod to irony, given the SIF is doing just that now, whilst also having quietly attempting to do so elsewhere for a few years.

I have never begrudged their approach, as it is just a supercharged, supersized version of what we did to catch up with the established elite, applied to an entire league. I have only outlined the many reasons why I think their project will fail (at least, for the stated aim of offering real competition to the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga).

But the same people shouting down the criticism of the Saudi Pro League with disingenuous propaganda like that article, were the same ones writing hit pieces when we began spending big. And many still deride us whilst singing the praises of the SIG development plan.

It’s hypocri$y that I can’t abide.

And this is a prime example.
 
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
 
That is the very definition of a puff piece.

Nothing he says is wrong, per se, but it is absolutely not a balanced analysis of current overall football market, the impact of the SIF hoovering up talent across the European leagues for wages a magnitude greater than offered in any other league in the world (not even we, the destroyers of football, did that), nor the viability (or sustainability) of the Saudi Pro League.

In fact, he bemoans European football’s talent drain in Africa and South America without so much as a nod to irony, given the SIF is doing just that now, whilst also having quietly attempting to do so elsewhere for a few years.

I have never begrudged their approach, as it is just a supercharged, supersized version of what we did to catch up with the established elite, applied to an entire league. I have only outlined the many reasons why I think their project will fail (at least, for the stated aim of offering real competition to the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga).

But the same people shouting down the criticism of the Saudi Pro League with disingenuous propaganda like that article, were the same ones writing hit pieces when we began spending big. And many still deride us whilst singing the praises of the SIG development plan.

It’s hypocri$y that I can’t abide.

And this is a prime example.

"Hypocrisy" is everywhere, of course, and is apparent on both sides of this debate. Those saying the Saudi development is bad without recognising they are only doing to the PL now what the PL has been doing to other leagues for years, and those saying it is good after criticising City's spending after the takeover, for example.

I put hypocrisy in quotation marks because I doubt these are particularly strongly held views from the press, rather they are just following the money. Which puts them into the **** category, rather than the hypocrite category, in my eyes. I did say at the start of this Saudi adventure that they have the money to keep the press sweet, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see more "Saudi league good" stuff soon, and regularly.

Anyway, I share your view on the Saudi league - it won't be a threat to the PL. One thing I wrote several times in speeches in a former life was that you can't buy heritage. But I also don't think that is the Saudi plan. It's just a small, if very visible, part of their modernisation programme and when they get, and successfully execute (yes, I know ...) the 2034 WC, they will have achieved their objective.
 
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
But you're forgetting one thing. He'd have to spend at least that much on sunblock to live in the desert.
 
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
I'm sure he will. Bearing in mind he's 32 now then he's probably only here for a couple more seasons regardless - no different to going to the mls or china as players in their 30s have done for years.
 
I'm sure he will. Bearing in mind he's 32 now then he's probably only here for a couple more seasons regardless - no different to going to the mls or china as players in their 30s have done for years.
I hope they all go and we get relegated for being cheats at least we will get away tickets for Hartlepool
 
I hope they all go and we get relegated for being cheats at least we will get away tickets for Hartlepool
No city fans will be allowed in any games after next season. All blues will be banned for life from football as singing 'sign on' will be designated as tragedy chanting and a hate crime.
 
I fear KDB maybe tempted by the Saudi money in the coming seasons. If Henderson earns £700k a week, what could KDB earn, £1mill a week tax free?!
It all depends on if wants to go into semi-retirement or not.
 

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