He isn’t being (and shouldn't be) forced to take a pay cut under any circumstances. That is a decision he has the right to make. If I were in his shoes, I would probably do the same thing if I’m thinking of securing the most amount of money for my and my family’s future. Assuming I’m not playing for my beloved team, of course. Of course. Sure, my wife and kids won’t starve without the 7 millions, but if I want only the best things money can buy for them and for myself, then it makes sense to not give up on that.
So what if Slabhead doesn’t mind soaking up all the vitriol from the fans and the press while his hands are superglued cupping his ears the whole time? What if he’s ready to warm the bench and miss out on not winning anything with England for at least the next two years or so? If he wants to handle it then there’s not much I could blame him for. Speaking of blame, I think the club should shoulder the burden of it on this one due to the ridiculous wages we’ve offered him.
I do feel for us fans though, because we (alright, mostly, you) are paying for this this man’s lavish lifestyle. It’s like getting a tv subscription because you want to watch the crême de la crême football has to offer, but also having to pay for channels you’ll watch only when high or drunk, or if reincarnated as house cat, or something. He’s basically the shopping channel among footballers. It’s unfair, but we can’t do much about it. Them Glazers are rich enough to inject those 7 millions into the club, but we know they don’t do that. Maybe we could have gotten West Ham to pay for the wall of a defender he is?
Anyway, I wonder if this will set the precedent of players who are reluctant to move asking to be paid a fee by the selling club. Slippery slope fallacy?
