"Player Power" in an age where contracts mean very little

Football Food For Thought / Mike Norman / 15 July 2008 / 1

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In a month where Lampard, Barry and Ronaldo have all openly expressed a desire to move on from their clubs, "Mystical" Mike Norman asks the question of whether its club or player that really holds the power

It seems the phrase 'Player Power' is on everybody's lips at the moment. Messrs Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Cristiano Ronaldo are all currently under contract at the clubs that employ them, yet all three have expressed a desire to move on - and more significantly, all three are very likely to do just that.

It all means that the media, clubs and fans alike are saying that high profile players in this day and age have too much power. What gives a footballer the right to ask for a move when he is under contract, and more importantly, expect to be granted his wish? I would vigorously argue that he has every right, because a contract in football these days means absolutely nothing - it serves as a tool for a club to command a transfer fee when a player decides he wants to play elsewhere.

There will be hundreds of football transfers during the summer, and every one of those transfers that has a fee involved will mean a player is being sold while under contract. Will the player initiate the move on every occasion? No he won't, because the reality is, in some instances, clubs will sell players when it suits them - and with this being the case, then why shouldn't players be allowed to leave when it's they who will benefit?

In all honesty, when we are talking about player power we are generally talking about great footballers. Clubs will always try and tie down a great player at a young age by offering him a very lengthy contract. It makes complete sense to do this, because the clubs know that these great players, if they ever choose to move on, will sell for huge amounts. Players are offered massive incentives to sign these long contracts, and if they do so, they are guaranteeing one of two things; 1) They will serve that club for the duration of the contract, or 2) They will leave before the end of the contract, commanding a transfer fee that will benefit the football club.

We've all woken up and decided that we want to change something in our lives. Whether it is to get a new hairstyle, change the pub that we drink in, or even look for a new job - if it's within our capabilities then what should stop us? The only difference with a footballer is that he signed a contract; a contract that was put in place by the football club, primarily for the football club's benefit, not the player's.

The one aspect in which I do have sympathy for the club is that they have to sell one of their prize assets to a rival club. Manchester United are likely to lose Ronaldo to Real Madrid, in Chelsea's case it's Lampard to Inter Milan, both clubs losing players to arch European rivals, whilst in Aston Villa's case it's Barry to Liverpool, a fierce Premiership rival. Should this be allowed? If pressed to give an answer then the fact is there is absolutely nothing a club can do about it. Man United very rarely sell players directly to Liverpool, Celtic don't sell to Rangers and vice versa, but this is down to a club's prerogative and nothing to do with a law against it.

Whether you think it is right or wrong, great players will leave if they choose to do so, and they will invariably end up at a club seen as an arch rival by the selling club. The only power a club has to prevent this from happening is to stick his star player in the stands, and cringe each week as his £70m transfer fee diminishes - even Sir Alex wouldn't do that... would he?

In Betfair's 'Soccer Specials' markets you can wager on whether you think Frank Lampard will still be a Chelsea player come 1pm on 3rd September 2008 - it's [1.96] if you think YES or [1.82] if you think NO. The same rules apply for Cristiano Ronaldo - if you still think he will be a Manchester United player then the YES option is [1.69], the NO option can be backed at [2.2].

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SLou | 15 July 2008

I agree to a certain extent. Hardly any player honours a contract these days but what I do find annoying is players like Lampard and Ronaldo (not sure about Barry) signing long term contracts in the last few years and then wanting to leave.

I think its ok if you have at least honoured half your contract and want a move near the end of it, but I think its wrong to want to move shortly after signing it.