Patters wrote:
I have always felt footballers are nowhere near as obsessed about 'trophies' as they would have us believe. Quotes like that, and Van Persie's, just try to gain the fans' acceptance because they know that's how we feel. I am an attention-seeking twat and I would personally want to play wherever I have the highest admiration and profile. I dont think I'm unique in that either. No-one is going to remember Cesc Fabregas - La Liga winner 2013. They're going to remember from his Arsenal days, Cesc Fabregas - one of the best players in world. He was tailor made for premier league. But who knows what the future holds. There is a chance he can have it all and become the big fish at Barcelona. I don't fancy his chances. I think he is currently happy there though.
But I think you're wrong.
Top footballers are ever hungry, ever competitive. Regardless of how much they are enjoying their football and fame, they are unfulfilled if they have nothing to show for their hunger and competitiveness. That's why our best players leave. We can't offer them that. Cesc was frustrated and miserable in his last few seasons here for that reason, anyone could see that.
They want, or perhaps more appropriately, they NEED to truly challenge, to truly compete for trophies.
IMO, you can't underestimate that.