Transfer gossip is a regular fixture in modern football, many clubs even dedicate pages of their website for the latest rumourssurrounding their clubs. The demand from fans for the latest news on possible arrivals or departures (especially during the transfer window periods) is great and this fuels the increasing impact these rumours can have. On most occasions transfer gossip can cause a lot more harm than good for the players and clubs involved.
Players can easily be unsettled by unfounded talk about their future and suddenly doubt spreads amongst the dressing room and fans, often destabilising football clubs. A player’s head could easily be turned by talk of a move to a bigger club. Tottenham have faced constant speculation about the future of Luka Modric this summer and despite insisting he won’t leave White Hart Lane, the rumours have persisted. Whilst Modric has made his interest in leaving public, constant talk about his future may affect his focus and could easily seep into the dressing room.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Wesley Sneijder is also a popular story in this summer’s transfer gossip. Reports of unofficial talks have suddenly turned into stories claiming the Dutch international will be staying at Inter Milan. But what impact does this transfer talk have? For Inter and Sneijder it could easily affect his performances on the pitch whilst the media interest in the story (whilst inevitable) will have made any potential talks or deal harder for United to complete. It also raises doubts for United’s existing stars. How would current United midfielder Anderson feel if he read about the possible arrival of Sneijder who plays in the same position as himself?
Transfer rumours also have a habit of destabilising a football club, sometimes distracting a club throughout pre-season and beyond. Despite a deal looking to be close, Arsenal have faced intense speculation about the future of Cesc Fabregas for years and there is no doubt that talk of his departure has destabilised the club yet again this summer ahead of the new season. Talk about the future of his teammate Samir Nasri has also increased the doubts about the capabilities of their squad and manager Arsene Wenger. Transfer gossip has once again plagued Arsenal and could have a serious impact on their season.
But is there anything positive clubs can take from transfer rumours? Well probably not. For teams at the end of speculation about their star player they often have to deal with the fallout and doubts. Rumours without any truth behind them can be brushed under the carpet but when transfer talk escalates clubs are faced with players looking to the exit door. There are also problems for the clubs at the other end when their interest in player becomes public. Keeping your interest quiet often means a deal runs a lot smoother rather than facing increased competition from other clubs or more demands now everyone knows the next star you are chasing.
But the effect these rumours can have really depends on what they say. Talk of Fabregas wanting to move back to Barcelona is destructive for Arsenal but also clearly grounded in a lot of truth. Talk that Cristiano Ronaldo was moving to Manchester City earlier this summer in a £150million deal with the former Manchester Unitedplayer being paid £400,000 a week in wages was harmless and laughable speculation.
Transfer rumours will remain a constant source of entertainment for fans, from the completely unfounded and ridiculous to the inevitable talk of a probable transfer deal. But for the clubs and players involved, flicking through to the back pages and reading about yet more transfer talk will always cause more harm than good.
Written by Jenny Kerwood for FootballFancast.com. How much harm do you think transfer rumours cause your club? If you want to read more of my bite size, 140 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5
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