Back in 1974 the Conservative government of the day was brought down by the miners. They went on a three day week and brought the country to it’s knees. It was the last time we saw Ted Heath, dubbed by Mike Yarwood as “that pompous Popeye with the performing shoulders“, as Prime Minister.
The Labour government who were returned at the following election were not popular among the majority of the rich. Then again a Labour government is never popular among the majority of the rich, who see their sole purpose in life as hanging on to their money, making even more of it and not caring who suffers in the process. As long as there are enough poor people to fund the national health and pay taxes through smoking Woodbines and drinking beer, then it’s a case of “I’m alright Jack, stuff you“!
The emergence of the Chinese Super League is putting to the test the amount of footballers who feel the same as, for example, Tom Jones did back in the seventies. Although Jones threatened to move to America because of the rate of income tax, it amounts to the same thing. He would be able to make more and keep more elsewhere.
The fact that these people will make far more money than they will ever live long enough to spend seems to be ignored in favour of greed. The families of top Premier League footballers are already secure, they don’t need more money just piling up in the bank.
All the arguments in favour of moving to China are, quite honestly, pathetic. The favourite one at the moment seems to be, “football is a short career so they need to make as much money as possible“. Sorry, but a top player in the Premier League making just £100K per week for only five years will make £26 million over that period. Take 50% deductions off and he still makes £13 million. Not too shabby for kicking a ball around for three quarters of a year!
If £100K becomes £500K what is the difference? Most sane people will only be able to spend £100K per week for a very short period of time until they have everything they want. What are they going to do with the extra £400K?
The only reasons for swapping this for a short life in China are greed, lack of ambition and short-sighted self interest. There is no other reason.
Is it really realistic to expect these football players, not renowned for being the brightest bulb in the box, to learn Chinese and embrace the culture? Highly doubtful. They are in it for what they can get out of it. Make no mistake, they are not going for the challenge. What challenge?
The CSL is, by comparison, pathetic and will never reach the standard of the Premier League, no matter how many mercenaries they manage to entice with their millions.
We here at WSA tend to agree with José Mourinho in that older players who are not yet financially secure should make the move. The CSL should be the elephants graveyard that MLS became at one stage.
We are certainly not surprised to see Wayne Rooney linked with a move to China. He has already held United to ransom twice and, on both occasions, instead of selling him which they should have done, they gave him a new, improved contract. He is the biggest mercenary of all and China is most certainly welcome to him.
WHY SAY ANYTHING? 
You have not helped the authenticity of your piece by your damaging, inaccurate account of Rooney’s previous problems with United which I, and many others believe were very different to how they are described by you.
Sir Alex, for whom I have the greatest respect, and Rooney were at odds because Rooney was required to play out of position most of the time towards the end of Sir Alex’s tenure at the club.
The second occasion was when Rooney felt that the team needed to be substantially strengthened.
As a responsible journalist you should be prepared to inform your readers of both sides of the situation.
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Thanks for your comment Sandra. Firstly, if you select the tag “Wayne Rooney” above the photo, you will see many articles on which both sides of the discussion have been put forward. I haven’t actually described either of the two occasions in this piece!
Secondly, this isn’t an article about Wayne Rooney, he is just being used as an example of the greed of certain professional footballers.
Thirdly, and finally, you have your occasions the wrong way round. Rooney WAS played out of position by Ferguson, so what? That is the manager’s prerogative in doing what he thinks is right for the team, not a reason to start crying like a baby. And yes, before that, Rooney did want the team strengthening, but that is not his job. Neither to do it nor speak about it. His job is to play football and do as he is told, not cast aspersions about the quality of his team mates. The fact that both acts of insubordination resulted in massive contract renewals speaks volumes about the bad judgement used by United and the disloyalty, due to his threats to leave the club, of Rooney. As I said, China is welcome to him, he has fooled enough people in England for a long time now.
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