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Keeping hold of your stars – the problem for football league clubs

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It is always difficult for smaller clubs to keep hold of their most talented players, especially in today’s world where money seems to be the deciding factor in most football related matters. Whilst it can be hoped that a larger, and more financially powerful, club will pay a fair price to sign an up and coming star, what can the selling club do if they don’t wish to lose such an individual, and is it often in the player’s interest to make the move? 

Roberto Mancini has talent (Video)

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Long before he was manager of Manchester City, Roberto Mancini was lighting up the pitches of Serie A for Sampdoria and Lazio. The passionate and delightfully talented No 10 spent 15 years at Sampdoria, helping them to the league title, four Italian cups and the Cup Winners Cup. His partnership with Gianluca Vialli was very productive, although he never featured on a regular basis for the Italian national side due to his team mate often being preferred to partner Roberto Baggio for the Azzurri.

What does the future hold for Inter?

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Ever since Jose Mourinho left his position as manager of Inter Milan in the summer of 2010 the team has struggled to perform to the same standards. A historic treble was achieved that season, including a convincing 2-0 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Many fans believed that it was just the start of a period where Italian football was once again going to set the benchmark for the rest of Europe to follow, but instead Mourinho left to sign for Real Madrid. Since then, the Nerazzurri have had 5 different managers but none seem capable of lifting this giant back to the dizzy heights of a few seasons ago.

 

Do you remember?… Martin Palermo (Video)

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You may remember him as being the man that famously missed three penalties in a Copa America game against Colombia in 1999, or as the oldest Argentine player to score at a World Cup when he poked home against Greece in South Africa 2010. You may remember him for his dyed blonde hair and his extraordinary career at Boca Juniors, or as the unlucky player that broke his leg whilst celebrating a goal for Villarreal. However you remember him, there is no doubt that he was a fantastic striker and will always be fondly remembered for a career that rarely had a dull moment.

Van Persie vindicated (Video)

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Manchester United celebrated their 20th title win in style thanks to a hat-trick from Robin van Persie. The Dutchman joined the Red Devils from fierce rivals Arsenal last summer after becoming disillusioned with the direction the London club was taking and the lack of trophies won during his eight year spell at the club.

Adebayor the enigma (Video)

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At times he is devastatingly effective, yet sometimes he is non-existent. Often he seems to look disinterested when not in possession of the ball and only seems to play to his best when he is required to prove his worth. This is the enigma that is Emmanuel Adebayor, a striker accused of only playing to his potential when he needs a new contract or a transfer. Is this statement harsh or is there some truth to it?

Own goal horror (Video)

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Sometimes players are so desperate to score a goal that they end up putting the ball into their own net. Although this is hopefully not intentional, you do have to wonder how a professional footballer can be so lacking in talent as to manage this feat, unless the ball has taken an unlucky deflection off him and beaten the goalkeeper.

A little less conversation, a little more advertising (Video)

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Football is big business these days and so it is no surprise that some of the world’s largest companies have decided to get involved. Sports companies compete to sign up the best players and clubs to their brand, with millions of pounds spent on sponsorship deals and advertising every year. Adidas and Nike are the two big hitters, with all the major teams in Europe displaying either the three stripes or the swoosh on their kit.