News today that Sam Allardyce may be hesitating about the wage demands of Edmilson – whom he had talks with in Barcelona late last week. It’s not that we cannot afford the Brazilian’s demands – said to be £80K/week (which he is reportedtly on at Barcelona right now) – but Sam has to be careful that players coming to Newcastle have an urge to play and be successful – and are not just coming to line their pockets.
This has certainly been too true of some previous stars in the past.
Edmilson
So there seem to be three worries with the Edmilson deal:
- His knee injury record – he has now had three operations on his right knee.
- His wage demands – which at £80K/week is high
- His age – he turns 31 shortly – he was born on July 10, 1976 in Taquaritinga, Brazil.
On the first point we have already indicated that the actual injuries do not seem too bad – and that put in the care of Dr. Steadman in Vail, Colorado – would hopefully not be a problem.
On the second point Sam has to ensure there is enough determination and will from Edmilson to succeed. It’s not that we don’t have the money – but almost every transfer deal Sam does this year has to be successful – for Newcastle to be successful next season.
On point 3 – we don’t think 31 is too great an age in these times of upgraded training methods and diets. Even more so with Allardyce – who is famous for bringing the best out of older players and extending their careers. However, these are the types of players that Roeder kept saying he wouldn’t sign at Newcastle and wanted to go more for youth. But you need these types of players in any successful team – and it’s a real pity we didn’t snap up Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate last year at this time. If we had when both were available we wouldn’t now be so short of good central defenders – but that’s water under the bridge now.
All in all – we think Edmilson would still a good deal – maybe at something less than £80K/week – especially for the nominal fee it will take to get him. But the decision rests with Sam as usual – but his record on these types of deals and players is good – so it will be interesting to see what he eventually decides. Steven Taylor, David Rozehnal and Edmilsion are certainly very good center-backs and better than we had last season.
Peter Ramage we think – mainly because of his attitude and will to be successful at Newcastle – could also have a good season next year. Peter will need to show significant progress over last season to get games – but reports are that he has been training over the summer to get himself into peak condition. That’s the attitude we like at Newcastle – always shown by our lcoal lads – who still have a big part to play in Newcastle’s resurgence under Sam.
Let’s know what you think on Edmilson’s position and also on what lies in store for Peter Ramage – comments appreciated.
11 comments so far
Nicci
Jun 30, 2007 at 9:24 AM
Comment #1I agree with what you say, his wage demands are too high. i feel Sam should test his resolve and prove his ambitions by turning his demand of £80k a week down, then if he really does want to play for Newcastle then he will come back with lower wage demands. We already have one player who has ripped this club off big style in Dyer. What ever happened to the Sol Campbell situation?
Andreas
Jun 30, 2007 at 9:48 AM
Comment #2Agreed! £80k/w = no deal in my opinion. Edmilson would be a good capture for around £40k/w (+ a nominal fee to Barca) – or a really low basic wage with high returns on performance related clauses.
Ed Harrison
Jun 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Comment #3Nicci – Harry Redknapp will just not let Sol go – pity Harry’s a smart guy – we could really do with Sol – his contract runs out next summer – so depending how we do – and how Sol does next season – Sam may still want him – he has enormous experience and is a winner. But it may also be too late next summer – we may be well equipped in central defense.
Ed Harrison
Jun 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Comment #4Andreas – even appearance related wages – to give him incentive and ensure he doesn’t get paid if he’s injured all the time.
Major Newcastle News Stories - June 30th - 2007 | Newcastle United Blog
Jun 30, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Comment #5[…] News today that Allardyce may be having second thought on bringing Edmilson to Newcastle. The news is that the Brazilian wants £80K/week at Newcastle. In our article on this we analyze the situation. Sam has to decide between Edmilson’s ambition and willingness to make his career at Newcastle successful – against just coming only for the big money. It’s a situation we’ve faced before at the club with players like Patrick Kluivert and Marcelino – to name but two. […]
Craig
Jun 30, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Comment #6He’ll have to half his wages if he wants to join the toon.
StevieA
Jun 30, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Comment #7I would sign Edmilson regardless of the cost. As I have said before he would sell a lot of shirts, help to sell season tickets. And who knows he could help attract another Brazilian International or two in the future if we look after him and he does well. Anyway it wouldn’t be a big transfer fee, big wages that is all so he will cost around the same as another top player when you think about it. (Wages + Transfer Fee combined)
This is the kind of signing we need to make to show our ambitions. This will also help keep the likes of Owen & Martins happy as we are now trying to compete with the top 6 again.
jacobmannjones
Jun 30, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Comment #8I agree that the wage demands are a tad on the high side, although the talent that would be acquired cannot be ignored. And with the recent bump in the transfer kitty by Ashley we might see Big Sam pay Edmilson the amount that he is currently asking for…
Ho much would Edmilson improve the side? That should be the final determining factor, NUFC is such a massive club that they could easily absorb the salary…
AndyT
Jul 2, 2007 at 7:23 AM
Comment #9£80k pw is on the high side, but there is almost no transfer fee and I’d expect a 2 year contract. He’ll cost the same as £50k pw and a £3M transfer fee – I doubt anyone would sniff at that.
As well as the on-field experience, he also opens up TV revenue oppertunities in Brazil (ever so slightly renowned for their football passion) and from the marketing side is a good investment – Personally I’d love to see a load of Brazilian kids kicking a ball around wearing Newcastle shirts it increases the chance that the next superstar they generate will want to play his champions league footbal at St James :). I think at that price its an relatively expensive deal, but has a high potential return and we should go for it.
Ed Harrison
Jul 2, 2007 at 8:12 AM
Comment #10AndyT – yes we think a 2 year contract – or maybe 3 years. Good point on Brazil – in fact very good point come to think about it 😀
Hey it looks like we got Geremi.
http://nufcblog.com/geremi-signs-for-newcastle-united/
StevieA
Jul 2, 2007 at 6:21 PM
Comment #11AndyT- Exactly my point. The deal is priceless as it opens the door for other brazillian internationals and also future hot prospects who might see Edmilson playing for Newcastle on TV and want to emulate him. If we could attract a Brazilian superstar or two then this deal will look very good indeed.
Edmilson would work out just as cheap as buying the likes of Wes Brown or Leighton Baines etc. Yes his wages are high but the transfer fee isn’t so I don’t see why people are so negative on this deal. If the club goes places which I think it will we will have to get used to such high wages. Owen is on around £120,000 a week just so you know. Top internationals deserve these wages.