Clrnc wrote:

Is it really worth it? Maybe from personal POV for his family and himself, but in terms of how he is seen in the football world and his status?

He was not particularly rated by the rest of the football world while playing for us (in his prime, mind) so why should he be bothered about that now?
We underpaid him for years and only offered him "top dollar" when we realised his leaving wasn't an empty threat. If he goes to city i won't hold any hate against him as i did with ash-hole especially if the blow is softened by a proper replacement.

Eh, there is a huge chance to become a proper legend with us and get a testimonial. why give that up when he has toiled with us for such a long time and we have finally come good abit.

Him not being rated by the world is not linked to our trophies. Its more down to the fact that he is very useless in attack, and he doesn't catch the eye in this sense. He can only be seen as a solid full back instead of a world class one who is good at both ends.

Unless he plays as a CB, he is gonna sit mostly on the bench and get as much game time as Clichy. Not gonna help his status anyway

Would you leave that kind of money over some sentimental rubbish peddled by fickle fans? It's his last payday and an extra six or seven million will see his family sorted out for generations.

Not to mention a greater chance of trophies.

Fullbacks hardly ever become legends.
I can only think of Maldini and Zanetti.
Even Cafu, Breitner, Brehme and Roberto Carlos fall short.

In any case, a testimonial and being a legend don't pay the bills for the next 60 years of his life, either.

Bold Tone wrote:

Fullbacks hardly ever become legends.
I can only think of Maldini and Zanetti.
Even Cafu, Breightner, Brehmne and Roberto Carlos fall short.

Thuram?

Yup. Thuram was fantastic and he would deserve to be one but, probably, never will due to his unglamourous position as a FB/CB which only his peers and knowledgeable football people appreciate.

What are you lot on?

Our very own Eboue is a legend!

Le professeur wrote:
Bold Tone wrote:

Fullbacks hardly ever become legends.
I can only think of Maldini and Zanetti.
Even Cafu, Breightner, Brehmne and Roberto Carlos fall short.

Thuram?

Lahm is headed that way too.

How can Cafu not be considered a legend?

ebouefan wrote:

Would you leave that kind of money over some sentimental rubbish peddled by fickle fans? It's his last payday and an extra six or seven million will see his family sorted out for generations.

Not to mention a greater chance of trophies.

His family is sorted out for generations already if he's smart enough.

Of course sentiment matters, there's loads of people around the world in varying sectors that sacrifice financial gain for prestige, passion, loyalty, family, location etc. In Football all that is magnified.

Bacc has served us well over the years, I for one do not begrudge him a nice big fat retirement paycheck.

Unless he goes to Utd or Tottenham in which case I hate him.

Biggus wrote:

Unless he goes to Utd or Tottenham in which case I hate him.

Why United? We haven't competed with them since 9 years now..just curious that's all.

a testimonial? you assume that bac would even care. a lot of guys are content to play hard and then go straight home to their families, and dont give a toss about the "fans" or testimonials or whatever.

anyway, does bac even have a song that is regularly sung at matches? i wouldn't begrudge him a move anywhere, though i'd be disappointed if he went to barca or spurs.

dreamlord wrote:
Biggus wrote:

Unless he goes to Utd or Tottenham in which case I hate him.

Why United? We haven't competed with them since 9 years now..just curious that's all.

We will always hate United because of our past rivalries.

City will be at that stage if we regularly compete for titles, but unfortunately we don't. We hate Liverpool mostly because of their fans.

dreamlord wrote:

Why United?

There's 7000 words of explanation right there.

😆 Fair enough, I guess I have a short memory.

otfgoon wrote:

How can Cafu not be considered a legend?

Was thinking the same. One of the best RBs to ever play the game IMO. Was doing it for Milan even in his 30s.

I'd consider Roberto Carlos a legend too. I'd say he was a word's top 5 player around 1996 to 2000.

kamikaze wrote:

a testimonial? you assume that bac would even care. a lot of guys are content to play hard and then go straight home to their families, and dont give a toss about the "fans" or testimonials or whatever.

anyway, does bac even have a song that is regularly sung at matches? i wouldn't begrudge him a move anywhere, though i'd be disappointed if he went to barca or spurs.

😆
Perfect post, Biggs.

Yuv, I'm usually a pretty dispassionate guy. However, if I am watching the TV and an old clip comes on of Ryan Giggs picking up the ball at the halfway line on the right side of a defense, I usually change channel. It's the one sporting clip I just can't watch without becoming agitated. In short, f&ck United

I feel pretty much the same. Can't begin to describe how much I hate them. To me it's Spuds and Utd, and then the rest of the world (I still hate some of them quite a bit, but it's not even close).

Sagna

"My situation will be sorted out before the World Cup, but I haven't signed for anyone so far.

What I said a few days ago. He clearly can't afford to go to Brazil without a new deal. A long-term injury there and he's screwed.

he can eat a d if he signs for City. i'll be thankful for the 7 years of amazing work, but i can't wish him well at Middle Eastlands

Claudius wrote:

he can eat a d if he signs for City.

?

a... donut?

Defo off. Says he wants a new challenge

Smell ya later silly hair

The old "I want a new challenge" chestnut it is then?
His bank account needs a new one, he wants to say.

What do you want him to say?
"I gave you the best years of my career and won one cup.
I am now 31yrs old and have a chance to more than double my wages at city playing 2nd fiddle to zabaleta. I don't really give a toss as this is a financial decision to secure mine and my family's welfare for the rest of their lives.
My chances of winning trophies is also greatly increased without having to contribute blood, sweat and broken legs.
Now fuck off while i tell my bank manager to come round and kiss my arse."

I don't want him to say anything to be fair, his actions in terms of extending his contract here, have spoken enough so far.

If he wants to leave, he should leave, but don't fool the fans/others with the old "looking for a new challenge" phrase.

But if he leaves us, it will be a new challenge for him...

The winning the league and champs league with us challenge proved too difficult

flobaba wrote:

But if he leaves us, it will be a new challenge for him...

I was thinking that.

Pepe LeFrits wrote:
Claudius wrote:

he can eat a d if he signs for City.

?

a... donut?

😆

redwhiteAustrian wrote:

The old "I want a new challenge" chestnut it is then?
His bank account needs a new one, he wants to say.

Spending that much money is a new challenge.

Jed wrote:
Pepe LeFrits wrote:

?

a... donut?

😆

I think he meant "dick"

RocktheCasbah wrote:
flobaba wrote:

But if he leaves us, it will be a new challenge for him...

I was thinking that.

Of course it is, but he could as well move to QPR and face a new challenge too, except for his bank account.

Not too worried about Sagna's departure, because I've been resigned to him going for a while, and he has a better right to go than most of our players.

But it's an overarching issue with the club that we never keep any of our best players around into their dotage, and it probably gets in the way of us winning trophies.