Over the last few transfer windows we have seen a number of players move for huge fees. The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and others have spent big money over the summer on new signings. Arguably a lot of these clubs have overpaid for their new players, but that is the kind of inflated market we are currently in, with previous transfer fees seeming to set precedents for those that follow. Are these extortionate transfer fees detrimental in peoples perception of a players ability?
The high price tag that a player now comes with automatically sets him up for a fall. It raises the expectations of fans and critics, as they perceive the fee to be an indication of quality. If the player fails to make an immediate impact, or live up to the perception of his ability in relation to the price tag, that it can have a very negative effect on his game. Players need to be strong mentally to overcome that, and be very confident in their own abilities, otherwise the price tag will be a heavy weight upon their shoulders.
If a player moves for a huge fee, then straight away the price tag has people willing to jump all over him, as they deem him not to be living up to his value. It puts unnecessary pressure on a player trying to settle down into a new club, as he then feels he needs to live up to that price tag and those expectations. Some of the price tags flying around this year, in particular for English players, are hugely inflated, and it is important not to read too much into them, or to believe that they are an accurate representation of player quality.
Managers themselves subsequently have a problem because of the huge price tag the player comes with. As they have spent big money on the player, they then may feel pressure to play them week in week out just because of the price tag. Jordan Henderson is a player who has made his way into the Liverpool starting line up ahead of the more experienced players like Dirk Kuyt.
As he was signed with the future in mind, it is difficult to see why he merits an immediate starting place other than the huge price tag hanging over his head. Rather than focus on players fees, and letting them dictate whether the player plays every game, the fee should be forgotten, and we should be focusing entirely on whether the player merits a place in the squad, and can justify his position, regardless of his price tag.
The astronomical fees now thrown around, can bury a player, as they feel they need to live up to their price tag. There are a few players who seem to be burdened by the heavy weight of their price tags upon their shoulders. Andy Carroll looks to be suffering with the pressure of his price tag, and critics are quick to jump all over him, and point to negatives, not even allowing him time to settle in, because of the enormous fee. It is a vicious cycle as the player looks to settle into the side, but is criticised for not making an immediate impact. Fernando Torres is another, who looks to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, as he struggles with his huge price tag.
Edin Dzeko is just starting to settle after struggling to deal with the pressure surrounding his big money move to Manchester City. If players don’t impress immediately, then people are quick to point out the negatives associated with the price tag, thus having a negative influence on the player which could affect their confidence. It is totally unfair to judge players based on these inflated price tags, the fee is completely out of the players hands, so he shouldn’t be judged by it, he should be judged on his performance irrespective of the fee.
Having a big price tag doesn’t necessarily make you a good player, and fans and critics alike should forget how much a player cost and just him on what he does on the pitch, not what he is meant to do or live up to according to their fee.
Written by Lauren Rutter for FootballFancast.com. Do you think that heavy price tags are a burden on players? Let me know your thoughts below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.
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You have a spelling mistake in the title.
To bare = to expose as in bare your arse.
It should be “bear” as in to bear arms or to bear a burden.