The transfer solution to every club’s problem
Sir Alex Ferguson has described Chelsea’s £50million acquisition of Fernando Torres as an attempt by Roman Abramovich to satisfy his obsession with winning the Champions’ League. Unfortunately for the Russian, his passion will remain unfulfilled for at least another year, having seen his Chelsea side fall at the hands of United in last week’s quarter-final.
What’s more, his expensive addition to the squad still hasn’t scored in his twelve appearances so far for his new team nor has shown anywhere near the ability required to warrant such an extortionate transfer value. Torres still has a chance to prove his move to Stamford Bridge was worth while, having secured a five-and-a-half year contract in January, but he is just one of a number of players who made a move to the Premier League and failed to justify their price tag, which begs the question; why do fans always agitate for new signings when they never guarantee immediate improvement?
There are a number of benefits a club can enjoy by making big signings, and not all of them encourage an instant leap up the League table. Of course signing players of a certain calibre improves the average quality of a squad, which can affect and alter a team’s style of play, and this prevents teams from going stale and predictable which in turn allows the fans to reap the most out of their expensive season tickets. Fans always expect a progressive level of advancement and are never shy in expressing their ambitions, which are usually realistic to what their club could achieve.
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Most fans advocate specific transfer targets that they believe will assist their current squad. For example, most Blackpool fans don’t expect Ian Holloway to announce a summer bid for Kaka, and last year a large number campaigned to sign DJ Campbell permanently. Several Blackpool fans felt that making Campbell’s loan deal permanent would be an advantage going in to their maiden Premier League season, and have been proved right in thinking so seeing as he is currently their top scorer with ten goals this season.
Another reason fans encourage their club’s owners to spend money on players is perhaps a little more subtle than wanting a higher number of goals, tackles and saves than the previous season. Supporters are the majority representatives of any football club even if they are not necessarily the most powerful, and are therefore constantly challenged to defend their team’s performances, staff, stadium, form and history by fans of other clubs. Behind trophies and league positions, a big signing characterises and enhances a club’s prestige and stature as they demonstrate how a team is perceived and respected on a wider, and sometimes universal, scale.
When Tottenham signed Gareth Bale in 2007 he had already been subjected to widespread interest from ‘bigger’ clubs, most notably Manchester United, who appeared to be best placed to snare the teenager from Southampton. When the youngster turned down Old Trafford in favour of a move to London, all Spurs fans enjoyed a sense of moral victory over a club which has dominated English football for the past two decades. Tottenham’s ability to convince Bale to sign a four-year contract at White Hart Lane reassured the supporters of the club’s ambitions and not only increased the Lilywhites’ status, but also provided their fans with a heightened impression of the team’s standing compared to other clubs.
Fans attend their clubs’ games up to three times every week, and without being able to directly influence their team’s performances, they require reasons to support their side in times of adversity or when their clubs’ values are being scrutinised. Signings have proved to be an important indicator of a clubs intentions and desire which offers every fan the reassurance they need in order to maintain faith. Chelsea were able to sign a player with a profile as high as Torres’ at a time when they were evidently declining, and despite his slow start, the psychological impact he has made implies that the club are heading in the right direction. Although his impact in terms of goals is yet to be determined, Chelsea supporters are comforted by the owner’s craving to improve the playing staff, as well as the club’s capacity to attract the best talent.
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