How will Dalglish’s failed experiment affect the transfer market and plans for other clubs this summer?
Building a successful side around English or British stars is surely desirable over shipping in foreign imports to win trophies.
Well that is the school of thought which saw Arsene Wenger’s previous French-filled Arsenal sides criticised for a lack of Englishmen.
But as Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish are finding out right now, there is a reason why England have failed countless times to win major tournaments.
With the club stuck in seventh, and looking over their shoulder, it is clear already the experiment has been an expensive failure, with £20 million spent on Jordan Henderson, £20 million on Stewart Downing, £8 million on Charlie Adam and £35 million on Andy Carroll.
So what are the ramifications of the transfer spree?
Let’s look at Liverpool first; This summer Dalglish will no doubt look to prove a point by signing players from abroad. With Damien Comolli’s scouting network in place, a number of foreign players have already been scouted, including Dutch striker Luuk de Jong.
Fans are widely in agreement that the money has been wasted, and there would be outrage if another £20 million was bid on another English player whose value is far beyond that, using Jamie O’Hara as a ridiculous example.
What’s more is that Liverpool’s board will likely not sanction such a deal. They will be frustrated at a lack of return on their investment so far, and sceptical about any huge outlay on a player with just ‘potential’ to offer, or who is unproven on the world stage.
It is not though, just Liverpool who will feel the ramifications of Dalglish’s ventures, the transfer market itself will feel the impact.
Cash-rich clubs will look at the signings of Henderson and Downing, and refuse to be held to ransom. The notion of a ‘British premium’ on players has long existed, with James Milner’s £24 million move to Manchester City another example.
But this summer it will be in the consciousness of every manager and chairman, who will simply decide to look abroad rather than fritter away more cash than is necessary.
Mid-table and Premier League strugglers will no longer be able to charge over the odds for unproven players if the big clubs are not prepared to pay it. Look at the prices quoted for Everton’s Jack Rodwell, a player who has been all hype and little substance, in terms of consistency at least.
Of course such inflated values exist because of the players value to their clubs, who face criticism if they sell their star players on the cheap. But a player like Henderson who appears to be a star at a club like Sunderland, is a small fish at a club like Liverpool, and clubs must reach a middle ground or agree to disagree, rather than being held to ransom like Liverpool were last summer.
If there is a big ramification from Dalglish’s spree, it could be that the players will lose out.
Firstly the ones he signed who were not ready to make the step up so soon face a fight to re-establish their careers.
But secondly and most importantly, English players could find themselves losing out on their dream moves, if the clubs decide there is more value elsewhere. So if say Swansea’s Scott Sinclair is wanted by Liverpool, a club he would like to join, but a fee of £15 million plus was demanded, Liverpool would likely not shell out given last summer’s experience, and the player will miss out on a move.
Of course there was some success in the transfer market with British players last summer, with Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain an example of a successful £15 million signing, and Manchester United’s £20 million on Ashley Young.
So it is not that English players are terrible, simply that the average ones are not worth playing £20 million for, and we suspect there won’t be a single English player sold for £20 million or above this summer.
What do you think the ramifications of Dalglish’s policy will be?
image: © kong niffe
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