The following comments are from the BBC report on Milner talks having been stalled
“I think the owner [Randy Lerner] puts a price on players. Of course, he will have an idea on the price,” explained O’Neill.
“Negotiations are being conducted by the Villa chief executive [Paul Faulkner] and the owner and I will be guided by them.”
It has generally been thought that MON is in charge of everything regarding the playing side at Villa ,these comments suggest the financial side has moved to Paul Faulkner the CEO. Actually for many people this is good news as it allows MON to concentrate with team and set the parameters for which Faulkner can do any possible deal.
We are aware Randy and MON had a meeting at the end of last season and it does seem some items were agreed then which has had an effect on current transfer dealings
- High wage earners in the squad but who do not play have to be released to free up the wage bill
- The CEO takes over the money side of any financial discussions
- That we have fixed prices for any players others may want and no matter how much we need the money for other players we will stick to it
With the comments some have suggested that MON sounds resigned, I disagree, it sounds like they have come to a mutually agreeable relationship.
If not then knowing the record of MON would he not walk ?
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This sounds perfect. Mon has other things to concentrate on, he was a footballer by trade not a businessman. So long as he decides who comes and goes there is no problem.
agree, things are more complicated now and as long as he agrees not an issue is it ?
But can we really trust O’Neill with who comes in? I get the signings from before. It was to get us out of a relegation battle and stabilize, but we continue to be linked with players that aren’t any better than what he have already. Rodallega? Parker? I like McGeady, but is he any better than Downing? Probably about the same. We’ve been linked to Flamini, Afellay, Keane, Huntelaar and I would take all 4 in a heart beat, but will we get them? Keane… That’s about it. I know managers go with players they’ve had before, players from their own Country that they like but it’s getting a bit ridiculous now. The Irish squad has never been a great squad. They’re not a goal scoring squad and though screwed by France, they would have had to score another and I doubt they could. It’s getting awful with the players we’re linked with and then the players we’re more heavily linked with and bound to buy.
I understand the frustration. But i just want to offer another perspective. Besides the Joe Cole deal, what other club not named Manchester City is splashing cash around? Clubs are trying to add without going off budget, and add depth at bargain value. Ive seen our warchest a little a 6m and as large as 18. Even at 18, thats maybe one mid-level player. Seems as if most are waiting for prices to drop as well as the Man Citeh fire sale.
Topher you are spot on, take away what City have spent and actually the transfer market would have been said to have collapsed.
According to Sky across all the divisions £177m has been spent, City accounts for half of that alone
most teams are having to sell to buy and certainly balance wages up. Liverpool may have Cole but he is paid for by others going.
Mascherano will for example be such a tough act to replace
I think it has always been done like this with Faulkner/Randy dealing with transfers. We have signed/sold players before whilst the team are in preparations for games so how could MON be in two places at once. I have no doubt MON talks to players during the process but the negotiations have to be done by someone else.
Dinner is in the oven and we’ll still only end up sixth or seventh next year… MON will have to wave a highly charged wand to succeed this season…
Whoever will be sold or bought, it´s the decision of MON. There will be price limits set by the chairman or Executive, that´s not a shift of powers. MON wouldn´t accept that.
I see nothing special in it.
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