It’s all about the money, always has been. Back in the day when the likes Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Wolves, Manchester United & Villa were leviathans that commanded 50-60000 crowds due only location. Other teams having their hands on that kind of revenue weekly and things would have been different. Riches come in many forms but I think we all can agree that Sky killed football.
There was also something called playing for your city and producing your own talent... Not much of that. Chelsea have recently bought into one of youth clubs.. So now they won't have to buy them if they want them later on they're just going to pick them before newcastle even offer them the chance.
Oh Newcastle will get the chance, they'll just have to pay for the privilege. Chelsea have been doing this for years around Europe btw. It's a nice little earner for them.
Pre Sky most teams only recruited from academy’s, maybe the odd European journeyman. Sky unlocked the hell that took the game from the working classes.
Yes, 1982/3 I believe? An empirical analysis of “on pitch” performance, i.e. points per game, before and after a stock market listing reveals that football clubs do not benefit from a stock market listing. https://footballperspectives.org/do-football-clubs-benefit-initial-public-offerings/
Ouch... but very true ... as I've said a few times both Pool and United enjoyed prolonged periods of dominance underpinned by having the funds available to buy the best talent ... Chelsea and Citeh merely joined that club ... only Clough's Forest, Villa, Wenger's Goons and my own club have really bucked that trend during my lifetime ... Blackburn cement the proposition ... more money you have, more likely to win trophies
Even we nearly won things when we spent more than other clubs. Leicester are probably the only premier league winner that can sit there and say we did it by being a better ran club than the rest.
Was also a perfect storm in many ways ... Kante showed last night what an amazing player he is ... Mahrez was sublime and Vardy ... well just Vardy ... but one off the biggest factors were the 2 road warriors at the back in their halcyon season ... Wes Morgan and Robert Huth ... "they shall not pass" ... strained every nerve and sinew almost seemingly with the knowledge that they would not be able to do it again... real warriors
The massive jealousy has been noted here. Unloved,under estimated.....but Kings of Europe!!!!! Get over it ****wits