The effect (or lack of) spending on agent fees
With the Premier League list for spending on agent fees having just being released, how does this relate to teams’ results on the pitch?
The list includes figures for the total money spent on agents from October 2011 to September 2012 of all 20 current top flight clubs. Similarly to last season’s Premier League table, reigning champions Manchester City are at the summit with a staggering £10,537,982. Newly promoted Southampton, however, find themselves at the bottom with just £646,106, making them the only club not to go over the £1 million mark.
Interestingly, both City and the Saints are currently just one point away from achieving their target in the league this season; Roberto Mancini’s men are a point shy of heading the Premier League table whilst Southampton are in the relegation zone only a point from safety.
Liverpool can only dream of the of the results being a reflection of the Premier League table, as they are the second biggest spenders on £8,600,444, sitting only behind Man City in the list. The Reds currently occupy 12th place in the league, with a win at the weekend giving them a chance of breaking into the top half. A far cry from their glory days or even just regular Champions League qualification, the Anfield faithful must regret some of the money thrown about by their hero Kenny Dalglish.
Whilst Liverpool fans may be disappointed that their club isn’t living up to the high expectations it has set itself over the years, at least they are not in a situation as dire as that of QPR. Last season saw the West London club undergo major overhauls of playing staff under the leadership of Neil Warnock and then Mark Hughes, with their Premier League survival only guaranteed on the final day. This year QPR’s top flight status is already in serious danger, as they currently sit rock bottom with only five points from 14 games. Not really what was expected from the third-highest team on the list, who spent £6,818,688 on agents whilst trying to improve their squad.
Harry Redknapp has been brought in to replace recently axed Mark Hughes as manager at Loftus Road, but will he be allowed to splash owner Tony Fernandes’ cash in January in order to save them? The former Tottenham boss has been known for his wheeling and dealing in the transfer market and, with him in charge, QPR may be set to spend a fair bit more on agent fees.
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