Gurgen wrote:
kamikaze wrote:

i'm surprised that a firm of european solicitors hasn't come in and undercut the football agent market. seems silly for big players to give away a big % of their salaries to sleazy agents when they could just get their tax and contract advice for a set fee or an hourly rate from a law firm that prob has (or could easily develop) contacts with all the big clubs in europe.

Most (big) players have both a lawyer and an agent for transfer negotiations.

that's mostly how it works in the states as well, but the agent just seems superfluous to me. it's not like they serve any useful brokerage function that the law firm couldn't - the teams already know the player, and the player already knows the teams.

lewandowski would've been the 2nd best striker if he'd played in england this year. though on talent, i think he's behind suarez, aguero, rooney, van persie.

kamikaze wrote:
Gurgen wrote:

Most (big) players have both a lawyer and an agent for transfer negotiations.

that's mostly how it works in the states as well, but the agent just seems superfluous to me. it's not like they serve any useful brokerage function that the law firm couldn't - the teams already know the player, and the player already knows the teams.

Totally agree, but they seem to squirm their way into the deals anyway. Agents usually have a lot more time to invest time into a player's personal life and family, I guess that's why they seem indispensable to certain players. It's really stupid because (EU) lawyers don't work on a commission basis as far as I know and experienced sports lawyers are probably better negotiators too.

a month later

not dynamic enough for me. i want athleticism and class, not an upgraded giroud.

pep, please piss off javi martinez. that's a player i want.

I think he'd be as effective as Costa. Would prefer Balotelli or Benzema though.

He's quite better than Giroud in terms of league goals and scoring in big games. Something that we DO need but I'd still prefer Benz or Cavani.

i wouldnt mind getting both balo and mando, but just getting one of them would be underwhelming

We aren't very good at providing the type of service Mandzukic thrives on. It helps his game no end to play with Ribery, Muller and Robben on the flanks, plus the added contribution of Alaba and Lahm.

Rumours of a swap deal with David Luiz doing the rounds.

Gazza M wrote:

i wouldnt mind getting both balo and mando, but just getting one of them would be underwhelming

Well prepare to be underwhelmed then. ๐Ÿ™‚

Timothy wrote:
Gazza M wrote:

i wouldnt mind getting both balo and mando, but just getting one of them would be underwhelming

Well prepare to be underwhelmed then. ๐Ÿ™‚

i think we'll get neither, so i'm way ahead of you ๐Ÿ™‚

Chelsea are getting rid of all their strikers and bringing in Costa + Mandzukic.

Yeah, because Mandลพukic wants to go from being a starter at Bayern to a bench player at Chelsea.

The reason Mandzukic leaves - if he does - is surely because he isn't a starter at Bayern anymore. But your logic is still sound, it makes no sense to leave Bayern because he isn't a starter, and sign for Chelsea to be Costa's backup.

As I have said before, I am pretty sure that is not how players see it. It takes self belief to reach the top of the game, and I think most players have an inflated idea of how good they are. Don't think Mandzukic would be fazed by Costa as competition, but rather believe Costa would be his back up.

Playing in the PL is an actual challenge too. Top players should want to be playing in either England or Spain if they're not starting for Bayern.

left out of the squad completely for the deustche apokalypse final. looks like the bust up rumours may be true

maybe Pep just doesn't get along with actual strikers.