Buzzin Football Blog

Yesterday saw the first big money Premier League transfer of the summer. Gareth Barry moved from Aston Villa to Manchester City for £12 million.

After being courted by Liverpool and ‘interest’ from Arsenal last summer, Gareth Barry had clearly stated if Aston Villa fail to win fourth position in the Premiership, and with it secure Champions League football next season, he would leave Villa Park, this summer.  The surprise was neither Arsenal or Liverpool showed the desire to sign Gareth Barry, who as signed a five year deal for a variously reported wage of somewhere between £80 – 100,000 per week, for Manchester City who finished last season in 10th place.

I am not a Man. City fan but do like Mark Hughes and hope that he can assemble and manage a serious assault on the ‘big four’ next season.  I think Manchester City will spend big this summer, and Gareth Barry is an excellent acquisition to add to a team that needs at least another four or five top class players, if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top 6 next season.

I’m not sure Liverpool actually needed Gareth Barry, but he would have been a perfect signing as a much needed strong, aggressive holding midfield player for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.

So what’s the problem with Gareth Barry playing football for money?

Last night radio phone-ins were littered with ridiculous abuse from football fans disapproval of Gareth Barry’s decision to leave Aston Villa for the richest club in the world.  Why do football fans think choosing football over any other profession is different, and that football players should show more loyalty to a club and not transfer for money alone?

It’s a riduculous comment.  Gareth Barry is 28.  He probably has another seven years at most to earn money as a top class football player.  Like anyone else, he has his family and future to think of.  Why shouldn’t he transfer to another club if they are offering to pay him a larger wage and in doing so, secure his future?

Why shouldn’t football players want to earn as much as they can?

Yes, top footballers are paid a disgusting amount of money to kick a ball around a field.  But that’s not their fault!  For the rest of us mere mortals, there’s nothing wrong with moving from one job to another company.  If someone sees he can earn a better wage if he leaves KFC and works for McDonalds, what’s the problem and what’s the difference?

I say, good luck to Gareth Barry and Manchester City.

I also expect Randy Learner had already earmarked a reasonable amount of money for Martin O’Neill spend this summer to strenthen Aston Villa  squad, who I believe will be entering the transfer market themselves in the coming weeks.