In last summer’s transfer window, Newcastle earned more than any other club by selling their players.
According to GOAL.com we got around £45.7M in fees coming into the club and spent £17M on players coming into the club like Muto, Fernandez, Schar, and Dubravka.
The net spend for Newcastle was therefore (-£28.7M) – a profit of £28.7M which is around £7M more than we had estimated.
Our estimates were £43M coming in and £20.5M being paid out for the four new players, so a net spend of -£20.5M.
Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley
There are loan fees and agents fees not included in our numbers which could explain the net spend estimated by GOAL was £8M more than our estimate.
But the real number that’s important is the net money spent – that’s the money to bring in new players minus the money you get from selling players.
A club like Leicester spent £81M and if you leave it like that – that’s a lot of money to spend.
But they received £75.1M coming in so their net spend was only £5.9M.
Compare that with Fulham who paid out £102M for new players but got only £4.1M back for players sold, so their net spend was a whopping £97.9M.
If you look at the table via net spend, Newcastle are comfortably at the top because we made the largest profit.
The team with the biggest gross spend (£167.9M), and largest net spend (£155.4M) was Liverpool, and they have won all five games and only conceded two goals.
Money counts.
Just think what Rafa Benitez could have done this summer if he had the money Jurgen Klopp was given to spend.
But Rafa will never be given much money to spend as long as Mike Ashley is the Newcastle owner and Rafa has already said he doesn’t want to fight relegation every season.
Let’s hope we don’t have to fight relegation this season.
Comments welcome.
37 comments so far
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:37 PM
Comment #1Its never MAs fault
Our Toon
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #2Rob
Didn’t Keegan save us from relegation to division 2? Then got us promoted and then got us to compete for the title. Rafa couldn’t save us from relegation which wasnt his fault, spent the most in the championship and won the title but only just with a squad that was far superior than anyone else’s, got us to a amazing tenth but we are going through one of those runs again where performances aren’t good at all.
Keegan concentrated on attack but he did alot more for our club than rafa ever has or ever will!! No many want rafa sacked which includes me, I want to see some identity though and a plan on how to win games rather than a plan on stopping the opposition only, I also want to see sensible subs to change a game not like for like changes after 75mins whist Rondon and Shelvey sit on the bench.
Our Toon
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:47 PM
Comment #3Why was Hayden picked ahead of Ki? Hayden who doesn’t want to be here. The captain even had a falling out with him and he’s the linch pin in defence, did the mystery injury / argument for why he didn’t play cost us a point in that game?
You can’t do that in a squad with limited resources, same happened with Mitro as well, mbemba another Who was outcasted. It’s not like he’s managing Madrid and he can replace these players easily, I’d have kept Gayle ahead of joselu personally as Rondon and joselu are of similar ilk.
BeeGuy
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Comment #4MA & Charnley continue to build the best Championship clubs ever. If they stay up, it’s a windfall, if they go down, there is enough money in the bank to sustain a Championship season at the top and return to the Prem.
NUFC and nearly everyone else going nowhere near a trophy case until the FA is forced to level the playing field with salary caps, realistic roster limits and a UK draft.
BeeGuy
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Comment #5It’s up to the fans and lower in the league(s) teams to push the (Alleged) corrupt FA (or parliament) to make the changes to adopt a salary cap, roster limit and draft.
Our Toon
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:53 PM
Comment #6Bee guy
I’d hate a draft and salary caps, Leicester won the title recently, relegated teams have won cups. So the argument is a mute point
If you’ve got ambition show it
Munster Mag
Sep 17, 2018 at 2:55 PM
Comment #7No idea Our Toon but Hayden looked disinterested to me. I agree re the championship. Guys I know who have watched teams down there for years reckoned our team was the strongest assembled don’t here that they had seen, ever. Tbh I was happy enough with the style of football last year but I still don’t see anything particularly clever in terms of the shape or subs. If we were managed by Houghton for the last 2 years he wud be getting abuse here. As can clearly be seen now, this is no longer a Rafa criticism free zone, and that’s no bad thing, even if the main issue is obviously money and the fat man
RobLeenio
Sep 17, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #8Our Toon “Didn’t Keegan save us from relegation to division 2? Then got us promoted and then got us to compete for the title.” Yep, all the while playing football which made you beam with pleasure and / or bang your head off the nearest wall with frustration.
In the end, for all the glorious football and great memories, you have to say that the side could have achieved more. We should have won the League at least once and you have to say, for all it was him who put us in the position to win the title in the first place, it was ultimately Keegan’s shortcomings which meant we didn’t win the League.
We all still love the guy, I remember his second tenure fondly also, when he made a footballer of Michael Owen by playing him as a midfielder. Defences didn’t know how to handle him running from deep, it was a masterstroke.
However, he had no plan ‘B’ and we all forgave him for it. He was a flawed genius, we said, he’s like us we said, he knows the club and gets us as fans, we said.
So, why do we not give Rafa the same respect? A flawed genius, deeply ingrained in what he does, unshakeable faith in his system and ability to make the most of every player by utilising a system he and his coaches know inside out. A system which has served him very well so far in his time at NUFC and will do so again this season.
Let’s just give him our support and our loyalty so he can prove it. He deserves nothing less.
Jib
Sep 17, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Comment #9Well that’s my theory , toon22 is Tsunki reincarnated ,
shot to shit
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 3:34 PM
Comment #10Yeh let’s blame Rafa
It’s the only way to protect MA from any blame
Where did the money from the Mitro sale go ?
Usually teams spend money from player sales on buying players
Who would you by for about 30 million ?
Ninjacent
Sep 17, 2018 at 3:49 PM
Comment #11It’s not all about Net spend, it’s about investment in the squad to improve the quality and depth of the team. Watford have a minus net spend and have started the season well. Our boss needs to explain not playing players his invested in if the performances remain the same. Our season starts now, 10 points needed in our next 5 matches! And by the way Cashley will never invest unless we are at risk of relegation ?
Jib
Sep 17, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Comment #12Article today in the Independent about MA.
It is, still possible to make a success of owning shops in the current chilly climate.
JD is doing just fine. So is Primark. Sports Direct’s mercurial founder Mike Ashley
deserves every bit of the criticism he’s endured over worker treatment and the way
the business is governed but he’s still in the game.
An uncomfortable question about the troubled Debenhams is whether it wouldn’t be
better off in Ashley’s hands, long term.
The department store chain is in an unenviable position. It has too much debt, is
crippled by long leases on unfavourable terms and has too many dowdy and
unprofitable stores. It’s struggling to compete with Amazon and its online peers
with its hands tied behind its back, and Mr Ashley is breathing down its neck
through Sports Direct’s near 30 per cent holding.
Who’d want to swim in that shark tank?
KPMG has been called in to give it a go but can it do better than Mr Ashley?
Is the best way for Labour to revive the high street – whisper it quietly – a
little more Ashley?
I’m waiting for my postal order Mr Bishop
willowdalerez
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:04 PM
Comment #13Changing topic any word on Lascelles injury… Hate to lose him though Clark could manage in his boots for a bit if Fernandez keeps playing like he did.
Hope Kenedy gets a full game out against CP with Ritchie on the right and Diame and Uncle Fester in the middle. I’d like to see this line up 4-4-1-1 with following subs:
Dubs
Yedlin – Lascelles – Fernandez (Clark) – Dummett
Ritchie – Shelvey – Diame – Kenedy (Atsu)
Perez (Muto)
Rondon
If Lascelles not fit start Clark and use Schar as sub. If Rondon doesn’t make an impact swap him for Joselu (he does have 2 goals this season) and keep Perez on. Swap Kenedy for Atsu at about 60 minutes but if he’s having a cracker or if we are comfortably up by a goal or more leave him on and take Shelvey off at about 70 minutes to rest / protect him. If we’re behind keep Shelvey and Kenedy on and sub both forwards.
Play that formation and give Ritchie and Kenedy the greenlight to play high as wings and track back on the counter and I think we’ll see a comfortable result and 3 points at CP.
willowdalerez
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:07 PM
Comment #14That’s I hope Rondon gets a full game out not Kenedy.
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Comment #15What striker do you think we should buy to replace Mitro ?
Or is that cash going the same place the Andy Carrol money went ?
But it’s Rafas fault for not spending it ?
We’re never going to build a team
dig-n-dig22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Comment #16Robleenio
When I saw the team to play Arsenal ,I could only ever see one result against ANY PL team that showed up. We are only a shadow a of the team that fought tooth and nail for our survival last season, if you think the games will get any easier against the so called “lesser” teams you are deluded. If we allow away teams 66% possession at SJP then we will concede, even if it’s only 1 goal, that gives us 33% to get 2 goals to win the game , Draws will be no good at home because we will pick very few points up on the road and away points played a big part of our survival last season.
by the time the Jan window comes it could be too late and that’s even if the F@t TW@T puts his hand in his pocket.
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:11 PM
Comment #17It’s never MAs fault
RobLeenio
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:14 PM
Comment #18dig, howay man, let’s channel our inner Local Hero and feel the positivity rise.
We haven’t played any of the non-elite teams at SJP yet. How can we know how well this team will do against them?
It’s a long season which has had a tough opening. Let’s see how we get on between now and Xmas, then either panic or not.
Jib
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:18 PM
Comment #19It’s unbelievable bad luck to lose Lejeune
for the early part of successive seasons
A Pain in the Blog
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:24 PM
Comment #20Our Toon #3
“I’d have kept Gayle ahead of joselu personally as Rondon and joselu are of similar ilk.”
I don’t think West Brom were remotely interested in Joselu but fancied Gayle because of his record as a goalscorer in the Championship. Rafa wanted Rondon but the money wasn’t made available to him. A swop with Gayle was the only way he was going to get Rondon. It wasn’t Rafa’s choice to make regarding which of his strikers went to WBA.
dig-n-dig22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Comment #21Robleenio
After watching Burnley defend against Wolves yesterday, they reminded me of us last season, even though the lost and got battered, they defended doggedly and could have come away with a point. A lot will depend on weather we can keep in touch with the pack and maybe if Lejeune returns in time and hopefully the same player will be a big help, but I think just soaking up the pressure and waiting for the inevitable is a big tactical mistake.
Our Toon
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Comment #22Pain in the blog
Very valid point, indeed the Rondon hinged on Gayle going the other way. I’d have kept Mitro over all 3 of them though 😉
Black and white armpit
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Comment #23cathy from nowhere (by far the most dispised man on the blog) is gonna burst a hydraulic hose at this rate! He’s frothing at the mouth as he’s getting a little back up from the shills and wums which are frequenting the blog.
You’re poison to this club cathy, we don’t want you as a supporter.
Our Toon
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Comment #24Dig
It’s no surprise that the 4 teams that give up the most possession and sit back are currently in the bottom 4 places as it stands
catchy in norway
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #25hi
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Comment #26Where’s the money gone ?
catchy in norway
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Comment #27smelly armpit
it’s you that’s poison, you accept crap, and hate other people’s opinions.
i’ve been the most hated person on here for years. but at least i like football.
catchy in norway
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:45 PM
Comment #28OT
you cannot use facts against them, don’t you know Rafa has won a cup.
and you know it’s all mike ashley’s fault.
the answer to every fact is Ashley
catchy in norway
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:45 PM
Comment #29hFACT
Black and white armpit
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #30Like football? Ha ha ha yer know nowt man, I’ve been to hundreds of matches home and away, you can’t be arsed to drag your sorry arse over the water for one game, you just want to sit and dictate to the lads which live and breathe this club.
You’re an embarrassment to the club.
Black and white armpit
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Comment #31You got the name of that manager yet? You’ve had weeks to come up with it?
Black and white armpit
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Comment #32Jail for Ashley
Sep 17, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Comment #1
I seriously hope we win this weekend, not because we’re desperate for three points and not because it will instill some confidence in the team, neither is it because it will lift the doom and gloom and get everyone back in good spirits. It’s because catchy from Norway will crawl back in his hole for at least a week!!!
Post of the day! (Well apart from Tsunkis obviously but that doesn’t suit my agenda)
toon22
Sep 17, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Comment #33Wonder what shop Mikes buying with our transfer budget next year ?
willowdalerez
Sep 17, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Comment #34To sum up. You lot want to bang on about the last games and Rafa’s tactics and last summer’s tfr window and Ashley’s financing of the club. Literally anything except for football and the upcoming match. I’ll check back later to see if anyone has thoughts on the CP match.
A Pain in the Blog
Sep 17, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Comment #35With your permission, Willow…
There seem to be a growing number of posters who are complaining about Rafa’s style this season. Some, like catchy, complain about his style over his whole managerial career but there are others who are now bemoaning our continual defensive performances over the last few weeks.
Those who post comments like “we are going through one of those runs again where performances aren’t good at all” and “we’ve been found out which has come back to bite us” and “I think just soaking up the pressure and waiting for the inevitable is a big tactical mistake” are, to me, extremely short-termist in their assessments.
When Rafa has gone up against a few ‘bottom 14 clubs’ with a fully fit squad then we can more fairly gauge his tactics this season.
Disciplined defending will always be his priority but when we get to play teams without ultra-skilful world class pros who can win a game with a piece of individual brilliance, teams that will allow us to counter-attack effectively, then we can judge him more fairly. It is so obvious that we have to take into account the skewed fixture list when making an evaluation at this stage of the season. I get the impression that some posters have failed to do this.
RobLeenio
Sep 17, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #36Pain, I get the impression certain posters have chosen not to do this.
Why let facts like a horrendous run of fixtures get in the way of a well-established agenda?
c-dog
Sep 17, 2018 at 6:38 PM
Comment #37It’s a combination of a horrendous run of fixtures and a horrendous squad. The latter a result of mismanagement from Ashley and his squad of goons.