The Market
The football world is still struggling with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic but the transfer window is around and preparations must begin. From January 1, 2021 clubs will be looking to strengthen their squad and rectify problems in their teams. That date also means that players whose contracts finish at the end of the season can speak to other clubs. Players around Europe will be entering the final year of their contracts and clubs interested in their services will be trying to speak to them to convince them about the project and settle any bonus package involved.
The biggest deals do not happen in January but it is still an entertaining market with a penchant for surprises. See Fernando Torres’ move to Chelsea even though the move is a negative outlier for clubs that want to invest heavy money in a big new signing in the middle of the season. We discuss a few rumors and topics around the coming market (s).
Brexit Rule is Irking the Already Icky Jurgen Klopp
Ahh Brexit, that word that means a lot to Britons but doesn’t count for shit to the rest of us. Jurgen Klopp has stated that he is yet to see any positive result from the decision of Brits to leave Europe. To echo the words of comedian Loyiso Gola ‘it is physically impossible for Britain to leave Europe’. Let us keep the laughs aside, Brexit is happening and there are ramifications for our beautiful game.
From January 1, English clubs will not be able to sign players below the age of 18 and they will only be able to sign a maximum of 3 players below the age of 21 per window. “What really improves after Brexit?” Klopp asks. We are tired of Klopp and his incessant complaints about substitution rules, VAR, injuries, and football time but if you analyze his words, he is making sense and asking the right questions. Especially in football, it is hard to see what the decision improves, yet here we are. If this Brexit move happens, we may not get to enjoy the next Cesc Fabregas in the Premier League. We may not get to see the next Paul Pogba too.
Christian Eriksen To Leave Inter Milan
According to Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta, Eriksen will leave Inter Milan this January if his playing time does not improve. The Danish playmaker has not been able to nail down a spot under Antonio Conte and the Inter Chief accepts that they may have to sell their €20m man. Eriksen has been struggling for form and has not been able to nail down a spot under 2 of the world’s top football coaches. It has now been a year since his move from Tottenham but the 28-year-old looks a shadow of his former self and a lot of clubs will be apprehensive at his €10m per season salary.
Antonio Conte is under criticism for his treatment of Christian Eriksen. The tipping point was this weekend when Conte put Eriksen on in the dying minutes of Inter’s 3-1 win over Bologna. It is insulting to a player of his status in football. There are no clubs putting themselves forward for this deal but there will be some movement if things do not change.
Dominik Szoboszlai Is The Hottest Midfield Property
The Hungarian playmaker is the hottest midfield property around and his €25m release clause is looking tasty for clubs around Europe. RB Leipzig, Ac Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal are tracking the left-sided/attacking midfielder. The 20-year-old’s career has already produced some incredible highlight reels and he will be looking to take his magnificent technique to a bigger club in Europe.
The Salzburg youngster is not the finished asset but his potential will be interesting for a club like AC Milan. Milan risks losing Hakan Calhanoglu at the end of the season but they plan to sign Szoboszlai if Calhanoglu keeps stalling.
Szoboszlai must be smart in his decision. He can afford to wait till summer before making a decision but if an offer comes earlier, he may decide to move. Game time and development over glory for now kiddo. If you can get both then besser.
No New Development With Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum’s contract ends in the summer and he is a target for football club Barcelona. Barcelona tried to recruit him this past summer window for his countryman and former coach Ronald Koeman but nothing gave. With his contract up in the summer, Barcelona and any other foreign club are free to negotiate with him for a pre-contract this January.
The 30-year-old arrived in Merseyside (Liverpool) from Tyneside (Newcastle) in 2016 on a 5-year contract and since then he has been a key player in Klopp’s football. He is a Press-resistant midfielder, a goal threat, an efficient passer, and a crazy presser. There will not be too many clubs turning their nose up at a player of his quality despite his age. His current manager wants him to stay too after describing him as incredible in Friday’s press conference ahead of the game against Wolves (in which he scored). This rumor won’t go away and with a contract yet to be signed, anything can happen.
Messi To PSG
Neymar wants to play with Lionel Messi again. ‘What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch’ Neymar said in an interview. The thought of a trio consisting of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe is tantalizing but we must calm ourselves from this football horniness (lol Van Gaal). Messi will have a plethora of options to choose from. The magician wants to take his talents elsewhere and even though Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City was tipped to sign him in the summer, PSG is an emerging candidate for his signature.
Messi is tired of the lack of a sustainable project in Barcelona and he is tired of taking the blame for the incompetence of the people around him despite doing the most to alleviate it. In other words, shut up Eric Olwats. Another individual that needs to shut up is the interim president of FCB Carlos Tusquets. In an interview, he claims he would have sold Messi this summer if he were at the helm of affairs then. A great thing to say about your club captain in the middle of the season Dexter.
Anyway, club chiefs will be ready to accept Messi’s “reign of terror” for a chance to sign the Argentinian footballer. Very few will be able to afford him in this financial climate but his move will start gaining traction by January. Whether it is to the English Premier League or the FrenchLigue 1, Messi cannot leave this sinking ship called Barcelona fast enough. It will be lovely to see him get one last hurrah in this game, especially beside his mentee Neymar.
