Category: Football

Turning into a bit of a footballing week here on the Moshblog. Sorry about that, but it’s pretty much all over the news right now.

OK, Manchester City. Thankfully now out of the hands of the (alleged) criminal Thaksin Shiniwatra, though he won’t mind as he’s made a packet on it and is being kept on an “honorary chairman”, which means he doesn’t earn anything or do anything, but gets a title and an office so he can feel good about himself. Hmm. A bit like George Dubya, only he’s raking it in for being a corrupt little ****.

The rough worth of the people behind City is approximately 1000 times more than the debt that little ginger **** has put Manchester United into when he bought them out. So that’s one thing to crow over. The Arabian guy in charge has already announced they’re aiming to buy every good player on the face of the planet, win the Premiership this year and the Champion’s League within three years.

Does anyone – and I’m including Manchester City fans here – think this is a good thing for football on the whole? While it’s good to see someone else potentially rising up to trouble the ManUres and Reals of this world, we all saw what happened at Chelsea when Abramovich which his piddly double-digits of billions took over. They won stuff, prices of players went up, transfers were stifled amongst all but the wealthiest of teams… and their football didn’t improve, at least not to the point where it was as enjoyable to watch as Arsenal or ManU. They partially succeeded by stopping other teams buying quality players.

While I’m all for another team becoming competitive, there’s a point where it’s just silly. I was happy when Ashley took over at Newcastle as he came across as someone who cared, had a decent amount of cash and was prepared to open his wallet and let the manager (or, as it turned out, some silly ******* ex-Chelsea dwarf) spend it. His fortune, however, is peanuts compared to the money going into the game now.

Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, the new “owner”, has said they’re aim is to win the league this season. And the Champion’s League in three. To do this, he’ll spend his pocket money that normally goes on (Halal, obviously) bubble gum, chocolate and fast sports cars. First up is the insane sum of £135million for Ronaldo. He can afford to pay them sums that would even make John Terry‘s accountant weep.

It’s like a kid playing Championship Manager with an “infinite cash” cheat. Where’s the fun? Where’s the challenge? If you buy every single good player on the planet, how on earth can anyone else compete? Seriously, where’s the fun in knowing that every week you’ll steamroller the other teams?

Then there’s the whole youth squad. Man City have some good players who’ve come up through the ranks, some entering the England squad which we all know is incredibly weak. This investment in foreign players will, I’m sure, come at the cost of giving these youngsters a run out in the first team. So that’s another source of upcoming England talent squashed. Why spend years developing potential when you can just buy ready-made and proven players from other countries?

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Manchester City up there knocking ManU off their perch, but I’d honestly say it will be a hollow victory if they do it with £600+billion behind them.

With my hand on my heart I can honestly say I’d not feel overjoyed at winning the league in that fashion if it was Newcastle United that did it. Yes, I would love for my team to take the Premiership trophy, the FA Cup, even the League Cup. Of course I would. But to win it by financial, not footballing means…? Nah.

I want to say that my team is better, not richer.