In the modern game, bank balance has overtaken historical culture as most player's main motivation for joining a football club, and City have once again flexed their muscles with Valencia's David Villa. El Guaje, as he is nicknamed, has been setting La Liga alight in recent times for C.F. Valencia, cementing his position as the greatest centre forward in the world, and hence, it would be a travesty for him to sign for such a club.
Rumours surfaced today of Manchester City's interest in the 27-year-old, who is said to prefer to stay in Spain, despite intense interest from some of Europe's elite, including Manchester United and Liverpool. However, Valencia can no longer compete in such a money-driven market, given they have ran into financial trouble themselves in recent times, triggering suggestions of a fire-sale from the club. Whenever a fire-sale occurs, it is, for quite obvious reasons, the club's most talented players that are subject to prying eyes, and there is no denying Villa is certainly one of those.
There is no secret as to why a club like Manchester City would be an attractive option to a player at the height of his career; money. There is no other possible explanation why a player of Villa's calibre would even consider a move to a club that are in the UEFA Cup, and struggling to qualify for Europe in their current domestic campaign. The club, despite having all the money in Fort Knox at their disposal, do not represent an ambitious rung on the ladder for a self-respecting professional. The amount of visible blue seats in the UEFA Cup tie against Aalborg tonight is evidence of this.
The simple fact that Villa's PA team have not instantly denied such rumours linking the star-man to the 15th most successful club in England is not only testament to the financial clout the Premier League holds, but also the danger football faces in the modern era. There are those who argue that such competition is great for the English game, and that players only have short careers and should get the money when they can. I beg to differ.
Although such competition is great for the English game as it gives other teams an opportunity to challenge the bigger teams for honours, it can lead to certain problems also. Probably the most widely-reported problem is the stunting of the English national team that such an influx of foreign player can bring. As football more and more becomes a results-driven business, teams are willing to buy players at the height of their careers, for instant success, and sell them on soon after once they have been replaced. This quick chopping-and-changing of squads does not give young players, especially those who are homegrown, the platform to slowly develop their talents. It is not a fluke that such an influx of foreign investment has coincided with heavy scrutiny and criticism of the English national team.
The other, less-entertained problem with such competition in the English game is the over-saturation of talent in the English league. As we are already starting to see, the English clubs are starting to completely dominate the European competitions, with all four contingents reaching the last 8 this year. Granted, I am no patriot, but whilst many can look forward to the Premier League becoming more competitive and exciting in the future, European competitions will lose their attraction.
However, there is reason to be optimistic. Whereas temperamental players like Robinho may see Manchester City as a more attractive option than the bench of the Bernabeu, home to the greatest club of the 20th century, there is a bracket above him. One of the players from this bracket that deserves a mention and appraisal, is he who has already evaded City's clutches, the Brazilian Kaka. He belongs to a bracket of self-respecting professionals who make their football a priority above money and would rather earn less, to be at a more ambitious club where they can develop their game.
Kaka has carried the torch of professionalism in the modern era, a torch that many will help burn bright. Players like Ronaldo, Messi, Torres, Fabregas, Robben and Villa himself all need to turn a blind eye to City's money, to preserve the beauty and passion of such a fine sport. I do not find it a coincidence that the players who carry this torch also seem to be the most coveted men in world football.
C.Rimmer
(12/10/09)
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