Kaka and City, £100m, an insult to all the poor struggling to reach the end of the month
Written by Chris on January 15, 2009 12:45
Way back in September, when Manchester City were sold to Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Limited, I just knew that football, the game as we know it, would have changed. How could have it stayed intact with quotes like this from Dr. Sulaiman Al-Fahim on Robinho:
Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160m (£90m) but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think $240m (£135m). But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Now as much as I thought that they meant business when they took over City, I would have never thought that Kaka or any other player in his right state of mind would have signed for them, especially now that they are fighting to avoid relegation, but then, who can say no to £100m? A.C. Milan would be fools if they rejected such an offer and so would be Kaka who apparently will get £500,000 a week.
Make no mistake, the Brasilian is yet to sign, but regardless of his decision, there are some aspects of the story which I would like to write about. The first one is Kaka playing in the Premiership, something which would definitely consolidate the English Premiership’s position as the top league in European football and I would be delighted if that happens. However, if Manchester City think Kaka will turn their miserable season in something special, I’m afraid they are wrong. I’ve seen Kaka in more than one occassion this season and he’s miles off the form which saw him win the Golden Ball.
And remember, sooner or later, the Abu Dhabi businessmen will have had enough of this “hobby” and they will turn their attention to something new. What will happen then? Where will City be? Just look at Chelsea this season: they didn’t bring in as many players as they used to do, maybe because of the economic crisis, and in fact all their records were torn apart and they are no longer as dominant as they were.
Next in the list is of course the price tag: £100m. Now I don’t want to sound melodramatic or anything like that, but if you think of all the people in the world fighting famine and poverty, that price tag and the £500,000 per week offered to the Brasilian just for chasing a ball and hopefully putting it in the back of the net, is simply disgusting. There’s no need to think of the dramatic situation in Africa, just think of all the families living in “normal” countries where poverty should not be a problem, yet they struggle to reach the end of the month. And it’s not just the game of football I’m blasting as this is something which goes beyong football since such insane wages are in every sport, in movies, in music, everywhere.
And finally, to all of you Gooners reading this, be proud of the team you support, be proud of the fact that our most expensive player in the history of the club is Wiltord, who signed for £13m and think twice before asking Wenger to spend, spend and then spend more. You know, if Arsenal ever turns into a Manchester City, ready to pay £100m for a player, I’m not sure if I would still be here writing on this blog. But until then, I’ll be a proud supporter of a team who at least for now – unlike Chelsea and Manchester City – keeps on showing respect when cash is to be spent.

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