Working in sales since leaving school, and with a Saturday job at Dixons Macclesfield beforehand, I’ve learned one thing above many others. A deal’s not done ‘til it’s signed.
‘Close the deal’ became the mantra of many a sales professional during the ’80’s. The phrase became widespread – branching across to become a euphemism for conquests in many areas of life.
The only time I’ve done this recently was when pictures of Arnie were leaked holding the shirt
So the signing of a football player, to me, hasn’t happened until the paperwork has got the signature of all parties, is ratified by the various organisations and is officially announced by the club. I avoid getting involved in the speculation of this player or that player being ‘spotted’ in a taxi heading East from Heathrow or South from Stanstead. There’s so much of it about that it’s difficult to keep up but I never buy in to, or get involved in discussion about, the next player who’s going to sign until after it’s become official. The only time I’ve done this recently was when pictures of Arnie were leaked holding the shirt which, pretty much, constituted comment. Hardly speculation really Please don’t get me wrong – it’s a personal thing. I have no truck with anyone who wants to discuss it. Knock yourselves out. I just don’t particularly want to get involved myself. I’ll happily watch the rumours and maintain radio silence whilst those ITK share their words of wisdom with us.
Transfers are a complex process depending on many factors. There’s a medical. There’s the official player registration. There’s often work permits involved. There’s eligibility for various competitions (as we learned in the quarter final of the 1995 League Cup when Manny Omoyinmi took the field as a sub). There’s player terms. There’s the sale price and terms between the clubs. Then there’s also those agent’s fees. Those sales people who hold so many of the cards when it comes to deals getting done.
Lately there’s been a great deal of media coverage regarding the Transfer Window in the UK. Many Premier League clubs have got together to put forward proposals about the introduction of a new, club self imposed, window that will not interfere with the start of each new season. Going back to our friends the agents (who, incidentally, I personally believe are partly responsible for football becoming beyond the means of the average working class family to properly follow) for a second it appears that the current set-up is geared towards their maximising opportunity to move players around. When players move they make their money. Ok – they also make money when their ‘clients’ sign new contracts with existing clubs but some less scrupulous agents have certainly ‘engineered’ moves in the past.
I wouldn’t say no if I were Neimar’s agent
It’s not a jealousy thing. All the best to them. I wouldn’t say no if I were Neimar’s agent. There are certainly some good ones out there. Many of them have genuinely got the interests of their player’s at heart but their fees are certainly not contributing to bringing down the price of season tickets and that, in a nutshell, is how they affect fans themselves.
Despite these acts of self interest by the less scrupulous agents the window does play a part. Deals get done. Without a window the opportunity to put a timescale on ‘closing the deal’ disappears. Working in sales I can appreciate that. Frankly I believe the windows are helpful but the Premier League clubs desire to move the window back a few weeks would, undoubtedly, shift the power a little more in their favour.
A quick word on Reece Oxford’s progress (or lack of). No game-time for him in the 2-2 draw at Augsburg unfortunately. I try to keep an eye on how things develop with our higher profile loans and it looked to me like Borissia could have done with him. After a promising start to his time with the German club, with a goal against Malaga in pre-season none the less, he’s yet to break through and make an impact. Would be a shame for him to warm the bench again like he did under Stam at Reading last season. Good luck to the lad – hope he enjoys the experience and returns an improved player.
After a promising start to his time with the German club, with a goal against Malaga
A few words describe my feelings whilst watching the shameful display last weekend
Lastly a word on Saturday’s horror show. In life you feel what you feel. Nothing anyone says or does can change that and nobody should ever feel unjustified in their feelings. If you state how you feel about something nobody has the right to tell you that you should ‘feel’ differently. A few words describe my feelings whilst watching the shameful display last weekend. Anger is up there. Frustration is probably the over-riding one. Candidly speaking I was disgusted. The fact that I raised a few eyebrows in the Costa del Sol bar with my rantings at their TV didn’t register with me at all. As I downed my San Miguel and turned my back before the inevitable third goal, which I didn’t even watch, all I could muster was a ‘Gracias’ and a small tip for them putting up with me, the grumpy Englishman, shouting abuse in their hostelry. I love West Ham. I’m a big supporter of Slaven’s but he’s got a helluva lot of work to do with this defence. I agree wholeheartedly with Dan Coker’s comments about the manager being given plenty more time to sort things out. I said so myself in my ’They’ll be a while’ piece but a couple more losses and we’re up the proverbial creek.
Internationals this week then. Hope our lads who are on duty do well.
COYI! West Ham 4 the Cup!