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New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Do Premier League clubs ever successfully replace big-money sales with cheaper replacements?
'Movement is part and parcel of football, but the most important people at Liverpool Football Club are the ones who want to be here.' The words of Kenny Dalglish on January 31, 2011, were a clear attempt to soothe the sensitivities of Liverpool supporters who were about to deal with the loss of their star goalscorer. Advertisement Fernando Torres' impending £50million ($68m) move from Anfield to Chelsea was one of the Premier League's most talked-about transfers. The Spaniard swapped one of England's traditional behemoths for a club that, at the time, offered a better chance of trophies. For Liverpool fans, it was a kick in the teeth. It could have been seen as a sign that the club, who had won the most recent of their 18 league titles over 20 years before, could not hold onto their top players in the face of pressure from moneyed and successful relative newcomers at the top table. If Dalglish's words were intended to be short-term reassurance, the real comfort arrived as Torres departed, and it came in the form of a striker from Uruguay, via Amsterdam. At a fee of around £23million, Luis Suarez cost Liverpool less than half of the money they received for Torres. While their goalscoring records for the club were remarkably similar — 65 Premier League goals in 102 appearances for Torres and 69 in 110 for Suarez — the majority of Liverpool fans would class Suarez as an upgrade on his more expensive predecessor. Torres went on to struggle badly at Chelsea and his career never truly recovered. It could have been the ultimate Premier League example of perfect transfer business had Liverpool not spoiled it by spending the rest of the Torres fee and more on Andy Carroll, who looked like a sensible signing but turned out to be unsuccessful. Replacing a star performer with an equal or superior player and walking away with change can be an elusive art, but several clubs have pulled off the feat down the years. In 1995, when the Premier League was in its infancy and transfer fees were tiny in comparison to today, Newcastle United, serious title contenders, enraged their supporters by selling leading goalscorer Andy Cole to Manchester United for £6million plus winger Keith Gillespie. Advertisement The decision led to protests and the famous spectacle of manager Kevin Keegan speaking on the steps outside St James' Park to try to placate unhappy fans. What did the job better, however, was reinvesting £5million of the money to sign Les Ferdinand from Queens Park Rangers. Cole was prolific at Old Trafford, and it would be too simplistic to label Ferdinand as a better player, but he hit 25 goals in his first season on Tyneside to help the club finish in second — a four-place improvement on their final season with Cole. When Everton sold Wayne Rooney — the best player to emerge from their academy in the Premier League era — to Manchester United for an initial £20million in the summer of 2004, they reinvested just £500,000 of it on a direct replacement in the form of Marcus Bent, who had an unspectacular time on Merseyside. But the £1.5million spent on Tim Cahill and the loan fee paid for Mikel Arteta not only helped replace some of Rooney's goals and creativity but also brought two players to the club who went on to be Goodison Park icons. Everton claimed a fourth-place finish in their first season without Rooney — their highest in the Premier League. In more recent times, Nottingham Forest can claim double success. Having banked £47million from Tottenham Hotspur for Brennan Johnson two summers ago, they reinvested £15million on Anthony Elanga from Manchester United and a maximum of £5million (if add-ons are realised) on Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi. Forest went on to enjoy their most successful two seasons in recent times. They capped it off with qualification for the Conference League — and potentially the Europa League. The arrival of two excellent wingers in place of one excellent winger — and £27million in change into the coffers — worked out on many levels for Forest. Advertisement Yet an even more advanced skill can be not waiting for a star player to leave but signing a replacement in advance, as a former Premier League director explained in a recent piece for The Athletic on the art of selling clubs' best players. The director, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, explained how signing players before a star had left prevented other clubs from taking advantage of them. 'We didn't have to go out and buy a direct replacement when selling clubs knew we had a big chunk of money in our pockets. 'In an ideal world, you get your replacements first and give them a chance to adapt and settle in without any of the pressure of starting every week and being expected to replace your best player. 'And because they are already at the club, when the time comes, the fans don't necessarily view them as the direct replacement for 'Player X', so that takes some of the pressure off, too.' Again, Liverpool can boast one of the most successful instances of 'future-proofing' against a potential sale, even if it was more of a happy coincidence than a planned move. When they paid an initial £36.5million to buy Mohamed Salah from Roma in the summer of 2017, Liverpool did not know that Philippe Coutinho was set to leave for Barcelona for more than £100m in January 2018. Coutinho's exit also unlocked Jurgen Klopp to pick what would become his famed front three of Salah, Sadio Mane and Robert Firmino. That trio drove Liverpool to win the Champions League in 2019 and a first Premier League title in 2019-20. Again, on several levels, swapping a talented forward in Coutinho for Salah, who has become a club legend and helped them win their 20th overall English league title last season, turned out to be a masterstroke. In more recent years, Wolverhampton Wanderers had Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes in place as a new-look midfield-in-waiting before selling modern-day icon Ruben Neves. Advertisement And Brighton & Hove Albion have turned the practice into a fine art, especially in midfield. They sold Yves Bissouma to Tottenham for £30million in the summer of 2022, having spent just £4million on Moises Caicedo a year earlier. Bissouma's exit meant Caicedo went on to play 37 Premier League games for Brighton in 2022-23 as they finished sixth — the highest finish in the club's history. Not that the process stopped there. Brighton then sold Caicedo in 2023 for a British record £100million fee at the same time as signing Carlos Baleba for £23million. The Cameroon international is a work in progress, but is on track to maintain the trend, leaving Brighton with another top player and a combined profit of almost £100m to show for their evolution. Clubs can find success whether the replacement comes before or after the big sale. And at times, a cheaper replacement can be the better option than keeping hold of the star asset.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside transformation of abandoned £25m Scots Butlin's resort into family favourite modern holiday park
The location was transformed in 1999 BUT IN BUT IN Inside transformation of abandoned £25m Scots Butlin's resort into family favourite modern holiday park Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BUTLIN'S has been a long-time favourite for Scottish holidaymakers - with the resorts dating back to the 1930s. Families across the UK would head to the coast for a break at the popular holiday camps. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Butlin's Ayr opened to the public in 1946 and families flocked to the resort Credit: Alamy 7 The popular resort boasted the iconic Butlin's chairlifts Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 7 As it grew in popularity, major investment was poured into the site Credit: Wikimedia Commons 7 The Ayr location was then transformed into Craig Tara Holiday Park Credit: Alamy And one of the resorts used to be based in Ayr which opened in 1946. At first, it could host 2,000 holidaymakers before it quickly doubled its capacity. As it grew in popularity, major investment was poured into the site. Butlin's opened its first park in 1936 at Skegness, which remains open today. Eight more resorts followed, including one in the Bahamas. However, many have closed over the years and been taken over by other brands such as Haven, with just three remaining - Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. Holidaymakers enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, dancing and amusement arcades at the seaside resort. In the evening, if they hadn't retired to their simple, yet homely chalets, they were treated to entertainment laid out by the famous Red Coats. The Ayr resort boasted a huge indoor swimming pool, a miniature railway and the iconic Butlin's chairlifts. Parents could enjoy packed bars which featured entertainment from well loved music acts. The Recoats even wore kilts at the beginning at the Scottish venue. Butlin's reveals new £1.8million soft play attraction with three floors of activities But the Ayr location started to struggle to keep up the high tourism levels as overseas package holidays started to become more affordable. In 1987, Butlin's, with support from the Scottish Tourist Board, the announced a £25million investment. It was also renamed Wonderwest World. The investment was used to build a new water complex, upgraded three star accommodation and a 900-seat food court, Butlin's Memories reports. In 1999, the resort was then transferred over to Butlin's sister company Haven Holidays. The Ayr location was then transformed into Craig Tara Holiday Park. Many of the old attraction disappeared and run-down chalets were knocked down. Luxury caravans replaced the accommodation and the new site was officially opened by footie legend Kenny Dalglish. Craig Tara remains a popular tourist hotspot to this day with beachfront lodges and caravans, an Airspace sports hall, Splashaway Bay water complex and restaurants including Burger King and Chopstix. 7 Luxury caravans replaced the accommodation at the old Butlin's site Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow 7 It boasts a huge water complex and much more Credit: Haven
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liverpool Legends Face Chelsea Legends in Charity Clash at Anfield
Liverpool Legends vs Chelsea Legends: Rivalry Reignited at Anfield Football's Past Meets Present Purpose There are fixtures that live long in the memory, and then there are the ones that rewrite what memory means. When Liverpool Legends host Chelsea Legends at Anfield this weekend, it will not merely be a stroll down memory lane—it will be a celebration of legacy, a rekindling of rivalry, and a statement of enduring purpose. Advertisement Presented by Liverpool's official training partner AXA, the annual charity fixture raises crucial funds for the LFC Foundation. Across the touchline, Chelsea's involvement carries the same spirit, with proceeds supporting both the Chelsea Foundation and the Chelsea Players' Trust—an organisation dedicated to the welfare of the names that built Stamford Bridge's modern identity. This year's meeting marks two decades since the 2004/05 season—the genesis of a new kind of animosity between Liverpool and Chelsea. Five encounters across league and Europe, most famously the Champions League semi-final that bore the still-disputed 'ghost goal' from Luis Garcia, helped define a generation. Familiar Faces, Fierce Pride Sir Kenny Dalglish will marshal the Liverpool Legends, with Roberto Di Matteo leading the Chelsea counterparts. These are not ceremonial roles—they are tributes to eras where both men forged reputations as figureheads of their clubs. Advertisement Confirmed in the Liverpool Legends ranks are Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel, Martin Skrtel and Jerzy Dudek. On the Chelsea Legends side, Gianfranco Zola, Claude Makelele, Eidur Gudjohnsen, John Mikel Obi, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Carlo Cudicini will suit up once more. Photo: IMAGO And this year, history will be made with Natasha Dowie and Katie Chapman becoming the first women to feature in this celebrated exhibition—proof that legacy is not a closed chapter, but a living story. How to Watch and When Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at Anfield. While the game won't be shown on UK television, fans can watch live via LFCTV for subscribers, or through Chelsea's official website and app, with a match pass available for £5.99.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Dalglish's message to Liverpool signings Wirtz, Frimpong, Kerkez in Hong Kong
Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish has expressed his hope for the club's costly summer recruits after joining them in Hong Kong for this week's start to the city's Football Festival. Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and US$156 million British-record signing Florian Wirtz were all in the Liverpool party that touched down on Monday, ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly match against AC Milan at Kai Tak Stadium And former Reds player and manager Dalglish urged them to brush off any pressure in joining the Premier League champions. It is 41 years since Liverpool last won consecutive league titles, but Dalglish told the Post the challenge in the coming season should be welcomed by Arne Slot's side, adding that the summer spend showed the club's 'hunger for success'. Milos Kerkez in action for Liverpool during a pre-season friendly against Preston North End. Photo: AFP 'I hope the players coming in don't feel under pressure because Liverpool won the league last year,' Dalglish said. 'It's time to enjoy what happened, then try to repeat it for themselves.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
In case you missed it: Tributes to Jota and a fond farewell to Clark PLUS the latest Lions drama from Down Under
The entire footballing world was stunned this week to hear of the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota in a car accident. The 28-year-old passed away along with his brother Andre Silva, 25, a player with Portuguese second-tier side Penafiel, on Thursday. The pair were on their way to catch a ferry as Jota made his way back to Liverpool for pre-season training. To make the news all the more heartbreaking, Jota had just married his long-time partner Rute, 11 days previously. The couple had three children together. Scotland captain Andy Robertson was among those to pay a poignant tribute to the Portuguese forward. The pair played together at Anfield for five years, and the full-back even had a touching nickname for his good friend. 'I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now,' Robertson wrote on Instagram. 'It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. 'He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.' Reds and Scotland icon Kenny Dalglish also offered his condolences to Jota's family, saying: 'Football is not important at this sad time. 'You feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children. 'Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre. YNWA (You'll Never Walk Alone).' Scottish football also said goodbye to a legend this week as the funeral was held for Lisbon Lion John Clark. The defender played over 300 games for Celtic between 1958 and 1971, but his finest hour arrived in 1967 when he helped his side to that legendary 2-1 win over Inter Milan in the European Cup final. Clark's association with the club continued long after he retired. He went on to serve as a coach, assistant manager and kitman. Mourners at the service were told of a modest, kind man who, despite all his achievements in the game, always went about his work quietly. 'For myself, personally, I am simply a privileged man to have been there and rubbed shoulders with the greats, saw in that glorious sunshine a Scottish victory that nobody will ever forget,' said former commentator Archie Macpherson at the service. 'And John was part of that, the wee Lanarkshire boy who grew up wanting to be an aristocrat in football, and attained it. 'But, he showed his other side by becoming the kit man at Celtic Park. And I remember so many times from different players talking about how this man could suddenly do that, and he did it simply.' Clark's service was attended by many current and former Celtic stars, and his cortege was applauded by supporters as it departed Celtic Park. A fitting send-off for an iconic figure. As always, for the latest news and transfer rumours from both sides of the Old Firm, you can check out our weekly columns, Celtic Confidential and Rangers Confidential. As the British and Irish Lions' tour rumbles on and the first Test against Australia gets ever closer, there are plenty of talking points emerging Down Under. The issue of so many foreign-born players being in the squad has been a subject of debate so far. Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt and a stadium announcer ahead of the game against Western Force both made jibes about the fact several Lions are not originally from Britain or Ireland. Former Lion Willie John McBride and ex-England man Danny Care have also voiced their frustration. As Calum Crowe writes in his column this week, however, it all amounts to hypocrisy. Many players in the Aussie squad to face the Lions were born outside the country, and it's the same case for many different players in different sports around the world. The other major point of debate around the Lions this week was the decision of Andy Farrell to call up his son Owen for the squad following Elliot Daly's withdrawal due to injury. Farrell Sr has been accused of nepotism with Owen being brought in from the cold despite recent form and injury woes. Our man Calum was once again on hand to give his thoughts on the issue. Elsewhere in the rugby world, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend remained coy on his future this week amid speculation over a new deal. Townsend's men are currently on a tour of the Pacific, but new Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson recently stated he was keen for the boss to stay on beyond the expiry of his contract at the end of next year's Six Nations. Townsend seemed to shut down any thoughts of a quick resolution, though, saying: 'It's not really been discussed, so it's not something that tends to get discussed when we're in campaigns. 'We don't have the time, really, and the focus is on making sure we prepare the team as well as we can this week and over the next two weeks.' If it's something a bit different you're after, Mail Sport Extreme has you covered. This week, Blair Condie spoke to Kim Lole and Joda Quigley, two Scots women who competed in the HYROX world championships last month. At the ages of 51 and 44 respectively, Lole and Quigley are hoping HYROX continues to grow, and with the multiple age groups involved, show that it truly can be a sport for life.
