I just don't get it

[vig]

Gareth Barry wanted to leave Villa last year for Champions League football.

He was playing for an emerging side and today got his wish to leave to....




Manchester City ????????? WTF?


I wonder if he went for the money

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Definitely the money unless they have promised to build a side round him. To be fair its not the worst move ever but I agree that his chances of champions league footie have gone

 

[Paul2009]

agreed - must have offered him a big enough money contract for him to say stuff champions league football... not the worst move ever but i reckon hed have been good a liverpool

 

[theeaglehunter]

What a terrible decision from Barry, I did have some respect for him. Not any more. Man City will almost definitely finish below Villa next year and will not boost his England 'prospects' in my opinion. Although to be honest he never really cut it in the national shirt anyway.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd go along with that. Always seemed subdued in a an England shirt and never really seemed to boss a game

 

[Sneds]

What a terrible decision from Barry, I did have some respect for him. Not any more. Man City will almost definitely finish below Villa next year and will not boost his England 'prospects' in my opinion. Although to be honest he never really cut it in the national shirt anyway.

Well this definitely seems like a bit of a payday for Barry, but we must remember that Man City are very ambitious and have probably promised a plethora of quality players to come in.

To be honest, do Villa really have the resources to challenge the top 4? Especially after their collapse this year? Man City might just be better.

At the end of the day, if the move is for money purposes then what right do we have to question it?

He is 28 years old, and has perhaps 5-6 years as a top flight player left in him. Why wouldn't you want to cash in? Eaglehunter you say you have lost respect for him, but he is looking out for himself and his family imo.

 

[KeefG]

Man City will almost definitely finish below Villa next year

I'm not so sure to be honest!

With the money that MH has at his disposal (if he remains in charge that is) I can see them doing a mini Chelski and buying their way to a top 4 spot next season.

Expect a number of big name signings to be heading to eastlands in the close season and also expect Arsenal to be ousted from the big 4 by the end of 2009/2010 season too!

 

[Dodger]

Great bit of business by Villa but no doubt MON will waste the cash on a poor signing,MON is hugely overated as a Boss...try watching his football for a few seasons and you will soon be packing in going to the match and spending Saturday afternoon doing something more exciting.

 

[theeaglehunter]

What a terrible decision from Barry, I did have some respect for him. Not any more. Man City will almost definitely finish below Villa next year and will not boost his England 'prospects' in my opinion. Although to be honest he never really cut it in the national shirt anyway.

Well this definitely seems like a bit of a payday for Barry, but we must remember that Man City are very ambitious and have probably promised a plethora of quality players to come in.

To be honest, do Villa really have the resources to challenge the top 4? Especially after their collapse this year? Man City might just be better.

At the end of the day, if the move is for money purposes then what right do we have to question it?

He is 28 years old, and has perhaps 5-6 years as a top flight player left in him. Why wouldn't you want to cash in? Eaglehunter you say you have lost respect for him, but he is looking out for himself and his family imo.

I suppose so. How could anybody possibly gurantee a good quality of life for his family on a measely £40,000 a week Accepted money is money, but don't try and defend the morality of the move when he, in the scheme of things, was overpaid anyway. Plus he would have years after his career to make money in the game as a pundit, a manager, coach, advisor etc. I get what you are saying, but you make it sound as if these footballers have a difficult life. I'm sure even before his move North, the Barry household were not having to scrimp and save in the way many of us forumers are having to. I thought he was a man with loyalty to his club (Villa) but apparently not...

 

[KeefG]

I thought he was a man with loyalty to his club

Sadly eagle, this particular breed of footballer died out in the 80's & early 90's.

There is no such thing as loyalty in football these days, everything is money driven!

 

[Imurg]

Does seem to be a strange move, especially after the saga of last summer.
Wouldn't surprise me in City make Europe next year and even maybe CL the year after that if they keep the signings going. So maybe its not so strange after all...

But then what do I know -i'm a Wycombe Wanderers fan!

 

[viscount17]

pretty easy really - big fish in small pond or small fish in big pond

 

[TipTopGolfer]

Villa done right by selling him!

Lets face it the guy is overrated also he is hitting 29 soon,i just think man city are mad for paying 12 million and 100k a week!

Personally he isnt even a 5 million class player i would say!

 

[Gustavo]

I thought he was a man with loyalty to his club

Sadly eagle, this particular breed of footballer died out in the 80's & early 90's.

There is no such thing as loyalty in football these days, everything is money driven!

Mostly true, but you still have players like Giggs, Neville, Scholes, Carragher, Gerrard, there a few one-club players out there still.

And I also think Barry was over-rated. A a kid, Liverpool were my 'TV' team, so I still follow how they're doing, though haven't been to been to a Liverpool game for about 8 years now, I'm glad he hasn't gone to Liverpool. They need to sign much better players to catch up to Man Ure next season.

 

[KeefG]

I thought he was a man with loyalty to his club

Sadly eagle, this particular breed of footballer died out in the 80's & early 90's.

There is no such thing as loyalty in football these days, everything is money driven!

Mostly true, but you still have players like Giggs, Neville, Scholes, Carragher, Gerrard, there a few one-club players out there still.

Giggs, Neville & Scholes - Man U
Carragher & Gerrard - Liverpool

Its not surprising they're 1 club players, they're hardly able to move to many better teams are they?

Barry with Villa though, different kettle of fish!

Its understandable for a player who has come through the ranks of a major club staying with them for life, whats the point in moving?

 

[Gustavo]

I thought he was a man with loyalty to his club

Sadly eagle, this particular breed of footballer died out in the 80's & early 90's.

There is no such thing as loyalty in football these days, everything is money driven!

Mostly true, but you still have players like Giggs, Neville, Scholes, Carragher, Gerrard, there a few one-club players out there still.

Giggs, Neville & Scholes - Man U
Carragher & Gerrard - Liverpool

Its not surprising they're 1 club players, they're hardly able to move to many better teams are they?

Barry with Villa though, different kettle of fish!

Its understandable for a player who has come through the ranks of a major club staying with them for life, whats the point in moving?

Point taken, a la Raul at Real Madrid, what's the point in leaving ? Maldini is another example.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are a few dotted round and I guess you could add Terry and Lampard into the mix for their loyalty to Chelsea. I think Barry is entitled to provide for his family but I'm not sure Capello will see it as a good move for his England career. He doesn't pick players on reputation (he dropped Owen because he wasn't performing in a poor side) and so if City have an indifferent season I can see him only playing a bit part which isn't great if you have World Cup Finals ambitions

 

[vig]

There are a few dotted round and I guess you could add Terry and Lampard into the mix for their loyalty to Chelsea. I think Barry is entitled to provide for his family but I'm not sure Capello will see it as a good move for his England career. He doesn't pick players on reputation (he dropped Owen because he wasn't performing in a poor side) and so if City have an indifferent season I can see him only playing a bit part which isn't great if you have World Cup Finals ambitions

Lampard was at West Ham.

There are a few that stayed at lesser clubs that could have gone to bigger teams.
I believe that in current times, if a small club uncovers a "gem" it would be impossible for them to resist the offer of a big fee.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know Lampard was at West Ham and had been there a while but he came to Chelsea and could have jumped ship to pursue the lira or peseto abroad. I think he'll be at Chelsea now for most of his career which is what I was getting at.

I think in thelower tiers there are still plenty of one club pros but championship and premiership its a dying (if not dead) tradition

 

[vig]

In all honesty Homer. I don't think it is loyalty that has kept him at Chelsea. I think the 30 bob a week he earns might have some bearing.