Mase wrote:john68 wrote:I think, for any player, the best place for their careers is where they are likely to get playing time.
I disagree. United went years having players that knew their level and realised they could play occasionally and when needed, but that would mean when they looked back at their career they’d have won loads. Players like Zinch and Jesus could stay at City and still have an impact, but also win trophies every season. Or they could go and play for Wolves and stay midtable but play every week. Career wise it’s trophies that matter, and I’m sure Shearer would agree.
I think people who want to become and then make it as professional footballers fall into 3 categories
1 - Simply there to play football, the game they fell in love with as a child
2 - Make as much money as they can to set them and their families up for life
3 - Win trophies, both as a team and individuals
And there will be a further category but one which can only come after 1 or more of the above catagories have been met and that is to represent your country at International level and at major tournaments
And it’s quite fine for players who love the game to move to a club(s) where they get more playing time as they get all the enjoyment they need simply by playing and being part of a dressing room. This cannot be underestimated as the number of players who once they hang up their boots are at a loose end with nothing to do who fall into depression, alcoholism, gambling and other addictions as they need to replace the buzz of playing. There have been loads of high profile cases and untold hundreds of others of ex players really struggling
Then there are those who are in it for the money. Which again is fine as long as they earn it. We are all in or have been in jobs and we don’t do it for the love of the companies we work for. Footballers are no different in that respect in that they need to provide for their families. And most footballers are not wealthy on mega money. PL players are of course but that is definitely not the case in the lower leagues.
And realistically most players are not ever going to be in the hunt for trophies. Every player has aspirations to win trophies and/or individual honours but to do so you need to be at one of the elite clubs
In the case of Jesus for example, he is at a club where he will win trophies and be remunerated very well, so that ticks two boxes. He isn’t however good enough to be a regular starter but as a squad player who is versatile he knows he will likely get 30 odd games a season. Now this may also impact his International aspirations as if he isn’t starting the big games for his club he is not likely to start them for his country. Only he knows then what is more important, game time and being a regular starter but that will then likely impede his likelihood of winning trophies, or winning trophies as a squad player. If he stays next season and subsequent seasons with City there is a high probability he gets a few more medals for his sideboard. If for example he went to Arsenal, he would start more games but in all likelihood not win any more medals or perhaps even play CL football again.
Other factors may be how they and the family have settled into a local area. Le Tissier famously stayed local to Southampton in part as he didn’t want to move as his family were settled there. He played every week and became a club legend. No doubt he earned enough money to be comfortable as well but it was to the detriment of his trophy cabinet which only had a couple of personal awards in it and it definitely held back his International career. But you get the impression he wouldn’t have changed his career given a Delorean and a second chance.
Every club needs guys to be squad players. Guys who can step in and deputise for rotation purposes and injuries/suspensions and who know they aren’t first choice. Guys who may be played in different positions. Guys who are most importantly, happy with this situation and don’t kick off to either the media or internally. I think Zinchenko definitely falls into this and I think Jesus might do as well. Only he knows
