Post by orlandogardner on Dec 22, 2020 23:38:16 GMT
And what, again, is the position of Ozil? I suppose it's now too far gone to be of consequence. But I've never seen a situation like it. Who was it at Chelsea? Bogart. Bogarde him. He came in from Barca under Vialli's reign, Vialli got sacked a week later for Raneiri and Bogarde was on a 4 year contract worth about 50,000 a week, something like that. Not wanted by Raneiri, he appeared in 12 games in 4 years (1 of those in a 3 year period) refusing a transfer convinced no other club would match his Chelsea salary. So he spent four years on the bench, turned up for training, did all the things expected of him in his contract (except actually play) and happily collected his 50 bags each week.
Bogarde, like Ozil, made himself available, was constantly rejected and made no bones about picking up his wages. His famous words on the subject were something like he might be the worst buy in England but he did not care, money is money. The fact that several clubs wanted him on loan and were refused by Bogarde because of a 70% reduction in his wages perhaps says something about greed or maybe it just says Chelsea should have stumped up the other 30% and have him the hell out somewhere else.
But not Bogarde, he wanted his full whack and if sitting on his ass was the only way of getting it, so be it. No club wanted him when finally he left Chelsea and he retired a few months later to open a string of soccer-themed massage parlours where the girl of your choice sported your team's colours (singing of club anthem extra)
I don't know how this equates with Ozil. The wages are a lot different and the true reasons for disaffection in Ozil's case are more hidden than Bogarde's but there are startling similarities in attitude - from clubs and players.
Anyway, Arsenal to see off Chelsea on Boxing Day. Got a bad feeling.
edit : okay, that bit about the massage parlours isn't true...the girls don't sing.
As for City, they did what they do. I think they look like they have turned a corner though in the last few games and will no doubt be the only real challengers Liverpool have for the title again. I don't expect them to do it though. Liverpool look in the groove now and no one in the league looks equipped to stop them.