Hmmmm - I recall the legend that there was a King of what used be Siam who punished anyone who displeased him by giving him a white elephant. The elephant itself was free but the cost of maintaining it was ruinous.
From the point of view of a player who is past his peak, there is an obvious attraction in going on a Bosman and negotiating a final, very lucrative, contract, earning in one week what you and I would be delighted to have in one year. But during the term of the contract, the likelihood is that most players' effectiveness will fall off and they will be more prone to injuries.
I can well understand why FSG are reluctant to sanction deals of this nature. I think most of you believed Joe Cole was a good signing at the time ; I know I did. He hasn't quite ' hit it off ' but he's still a good player and might well succeed elsewhere. Same with Milan Jovanovic.
We did not pay a transfer fee for either. How would you feel about letting them go for free ? Manchester City have the same problem on a much bigger scale, but seem to be insisting that any potential suitors will have to fund the wages in full, with a transfer fee on top, and not surprisingly nobody wants to know.
