stormi wrote:MetalFingaz wrote:Let Van Dijk and Trent walk. Salah is by far the most important player in the team. You can break the structure for the best player in world football.
Disagree one thousand percent.
Dijk is on another level of papering over the cracks. Imperious force both in the air, on the ground and faultless in buildup. You can find another speed winger that runs at defenders and scores on the counter or a cross spamming fullback, but as soon as Liverpool lose Van Dijk they'll face a momentus drop.
You cannot replace him.
I think both are equally important...one on offense, and the other on defense. I prob would have kept Mane over Salah, as I just liked his "team ball" much, much more. But It's hard to deny that Salah is the better scorer. I think Salah can prob be replaced easier...but would it just be the same pay rate? And you look to guys around him: Nunez pales in comparison. I think Jota coulda been a special striker....but injuries have, and prob will continue to destroy what could have been. Salah has really remained injury free (except when he had his arm broken by an absolute dirty play) for the most part....something of extreme value in itself. I dunno...it's a hard choice.
My biggest concern here is that VVD will be 34, and Salah 33 come next season. I'm fully aware that this ain't the 90's anymore...or even the early 2000's, These guys take much better care of themselves. But even so....once that incredible pace starts to wane, you become a liability quickly. I just don't know how long these guys are asking for....and for what price. I can understand the team balking at a 3-year deal. But if you think you could still get a couple seasons at 100% to 90%....how horrible would that 3rd year really be? And even if it was pretty bad.....did the other 2 make up for it?
But for stupid effin Man$hitty, this team really aughta have about 3 titles. Maybe even more. And we are certainly in the hunt this year. Seems really, really, REALLY stupid to watch that all fall apart (given the 30-35 year hole before this) over "pay structure principles". I'd also argue that destroying this squad over $$$ will haunt this squad for years, and really hinder their ability to sign top talent. If I'm Diaz (for instance)....what's gotta be on my mind now? Suddenly I'm looking elsewhere.
So yes...the ages of these 2 are definitely a concern....but I think you have to pay these guys. And yes, this will affect what guys like Diaz and Konate will expect when they are due.......but welcome to sports....what else can I say? You bought one of the most storied franchises in the biggest sport in the world. At an age where mega-billionaires buy and lavish over them, no less. So I sorta figured you knew what you were in for here.
