Is Chelsea's 50 million pound purchase of Torres worth it?

[Curl]

I'm not. Nearly every other job on the planet involves skill to some degree. A lot require a high level of skill. Yet the people doing the jobs never get the chance to earn what these footballers do. And we're not even on to brains yet.

People talk about footballers as if they are some god with a ball. They're not. I've seen kids on the street do more with a football than most of these do in their career.

Take a standard 90 minute football match, break it down into each 'type' of kick / move they do (there really ain't that many). Now, if you spent five days a week training those specific items you'd be pretty good at them - but does your ability to execute that small number of 'skills' justify the level of pay? Perhaps it's their ability to fall over when they come in contact with another player - they ain't even good at acting?

Now consider a paramedic - not the most highly trained medical staff, but skilled none the less - these people have far more skill than those footballers will ever have and yet their pay isn't even close.

EDIT: I feel the same about all sports pay - not football specific, that was simply the topic here.

If that was the case, why won't a club gather up some of these kids off the street, pay them 4000 a week, and win a championship?

It can't happen, that's why. You probably haven't played much football but it takes a lot more to win matches than just the "skill" you see with your eyes as a spectator. These athletes have what it takes to win the trophy, which is why they are in demand. And there aren't too many who can do it, so supply-demand is raising the price.

Take Tennis for example, a 1v1 sport. The past 23/25 grand slam championships have been won by only two players (Federer and Nadal), out of the thousands of professionals. Any of the pros can hit a 130mph serve, they can all hit 100mph ground strokes, can play any shot. Can they win a tournament? Unlikely.

 

[JaredJames]

If that was the case, why won't a club gather up some of these kids off the street, pay them 4000 a week, and win a championship?

It can't happen, that's why. You probably haven't played much football but it takes a lot more to win matches than just the "skill" you see with your eyes as a spectator. These athletes have what it takes to win the trophy, which is why they are in demand. And there aren't too many who can do it, so supply-demand is raising the price.

Take Tennis for example, a 1v1 sport. The past 23/25 grand slam championships have been won by only two players (Federer and Nadal), out of the thousands of professionals. Any of the pros can hit a 130mph serve, they can all hit 100mph ground strokes, can play any shot. Can they win a tournament? Unlikely.

Re-read the above posts. It's all about making money at the end of the day. These players bring in the money.

It takes more than skill? Really, please do tell me what that x-factor is. The better you are at something, the more likely you are to win. There's little more to it.

 

[xxChrisxx]

It takes more than skill? Really, please do tell me what that x-factor is. The better you are at something, the more likely you are to win. There's little more to it.

Talent is the word you are looking for. There is a difference between people who are good at something and those who are truly great.

As subjective as this is, you can tell a true great just by watching them. You can tell there is just something else there.

 

[JaredJames]

As subjective as this is, you can tell a true great just by watching them. You can tell there is just something else there.

Certainly, but aside from the odd few I don't see anything fantastic for the most part with any of those players.

 

[xxChrisxx]

On a side note from football but demonstrating talent.


For fans of ze motorcar.

 

[D H]

Certainly, but aside from the odd few I don't see anything fantastic for the most part with any of those players.

There is a huge difference between the players you see on the street and those who play in the fourth division League Two. There is a huge difference between the top League Two team and the bottom Premier team. That you cannot see the difference is irrelevant. You don't know the subtleties of the sport; from what you have posted you don't even like the sport.

The sport does not care what you think. They care about what the fans think -- and how much the fans will pay. A similar situation exists between American football and me. I don't like American football; I think it is an extremely boring sport. Call me Un-American, but I will not be watching the Superbowl this Sunday. The NFL apparently doesn't give a hoot what I think. Imagine that!

 

[JaredJames]

There is a huge difference between the players you see on the street and those who play in the fourth division League Two. There is a huge difference between the top League Two team and the bottom Premier team. That you cannot see the difference is irrelevant. You don't know the subtleties of the sport;

I understand the "subtleties" and the differences between the levels. But, it doesn't change what I posted. I suppose my problem lies more with the players themselves than the game.

I'm not seeing a sport where people do their best and the clubs go for this. I'm seeing a sport where clubs compete for the so called 'best' players simply to draw a crowd - and unfortunately that seems to be what the fans want.

from what you have posted you don't even like the sport.

Really? I actually enjoy watching it.

The sport does not care what you think.

Never said it does.

They care about what the fans think -- and how much the fans will pay.

I believe that's been an integral part of my complaint.

 

[dacruick]

If I were running a business, I would be primarily focused on how much money I can make. So at that point, its the consumers(fans) who guide my business model. Fernando Torres may well be worth 120 million to the club over a three year period, I can't say otherwise.

I have separate issues with the league and the players. I feel like the players are spoiled babies. There is an atrocious amount of unsportsmanlike behaviour across all levels of play including international tournaments. If you took a baseball umpire and put him on a soccer field, there would be 6 red cards in the first half.

 

[JaredJames]

If I were running a business, I would be primarily focused on how much money I can make. So at that point, its the consumers(fans) who guide my business model. Fernando Torres may well be worth 120 million to the club over a three year period, I can't say otherwise.

I have separate issues with the league and the players. I feel like the players are spoiled babies. There is an atrocious amount of unsportsmanlike behaviour across all levels of play including international tournaments. If you took a baseball umpire and put him on a soccer field, there would be 6 red cards in the first half.

You know, I think you've summed up perfectly what I feel in this one post. Although I do stand by what I said above.

 

[Curl]

If I were running a business, I would be primarily focused on how much money I can make. So at that point, its the consumers(fans) who guide my business model. Fernando Torres may well be worth 120 million to the club over a three year period, I can't say otherwise.

I have separate issues with the league and the players. I feel like the players are spoiled babies. There is an atrocious amount of unsportsmanlike behaviour across all levels of play including international tournaments. If you took a baseball umpire and put him on a soccer field, there would be 6 red cards in the first half.

ROFL, baseball fan. And Americans keep saying football is a bunch of "pu$$ies" running around and falling pretending to get hurt. Now you're saying its too violent.

 

[xxChrisxx]

ROFL, baseball fan. And Americans keep saying football is a bunch of "pu$$ies" running around and falling pretending to get hurt. Now you're saying its too violent.

He's talking about attitude.

 

[dacruick]

ROFL, baseball fan. And Americans keep saying football is a bunch of "pu$$ies" running around and falling pretending to get hurt. Now you're saying its too violent.

I am actually not a baseball fan. And nor am I American. And I also did not say that it is too violent. You are putting words into my mouth and its making you look childish(or maybe it was the 'ROFL' that did that). It is the unsportsmanlike conduct that is offensive to me and I would be handing out red cards for dives like candy on Halloween. Let's see how long it takes for diving drills in practice to stop if the leagues crack down on it and start handing out suspensions.

It sets a terrible example for kids, and it taints the sport. The amount of soccer players and fans that have told me "diving is a part of the game" is astounding, its like they don't resent it at all. So yes to what Chris said, I am talking about an attitude. And funnily enough you don't seem to have a great one yourself, maybe there's a trend.