Over 30?- Then get the funk out

[Justin-the-Gooner]

Patrik Vieira
Thierry Henry
Robert Pires
Freddie Ljungberg
Lauren
Sylvan Wiltord
Sol Campbell
Kanu


Firstly my question is this. Is Gilberto next ? Most of you will say yes and not much people can disagree.

And then the question of. Who agrees with the policy. I do in terms of money because you usually save a lot of money and if you wait any longer then money won"t be made. But if they still have a lot to offer then maybe he should be kept.

[Chippy]

Justin

You missed out the Romford Pele. The problem is AW wants them as good squad players when they think they still have loads to offer in terms of first team starts. Only DB10 managed to do it and he was mightily pissed off on numerous occasions. So its not a question of money but these guys understanding their changing position in life.

can you imagine being told your nearly finished at a job you excel at when you are in your early 30s?

[26may1989]

Patrik Vieira
Thierry Henry
Robert Pires
Freddie Ljungberg
Lauren
Sylvan Wiltord
Sol Campbell
Kanu


Firstly my question is this. Is Gilberto next ? Most of you will say yes and not much people can disagree.

And then the question of. Who agrees with the policy. I do in terms of money because you usually save a lot of money and if you wait any longer then money won"t be made. But if they still have a lot to offer then maybe he should be kept.

Before answering the question, a couple of pedantic points about your list: Wiltord ran his contract down and would have been kept if he'd wanted to stay; and Vieira was 28 going on 29 when he left. (Henry was also 29 but was 30 soon after he left.)

Yes, I think Gilberto will go, though I think both he and Lehmann will go in the summer rather than January.

I don't have too many problems with a policy of keeping over 30s on limited contracts and cutting loose those on the wane or lacking in motivation. Bergkamp was comfortable with it and served us well on a succession of one-year contracts. The galling bit is when, like Campbell or Pires, the players get a new lease of life elsewhere. Vieira was one who needed to go somewhere new but I would have loved to see him and Cesc as our centre midfield pairing. Come to think of it, still having Pires in the squad would be nice too.

So perhaps I do disagree with the policy after all. I'm feeling confused...

[I Hate Hleb]

I AGREE WITH YOU 26MAY1989 - I THINK!

ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE BEARING FRUIT THIS SEASON, I'M AGAINST THE POLICY OF OFFERING ONLY 1 YEAR CONTRACTS OR LETTING PLAYERS GO WHEN THEY REACH THEIR 30's. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S THEIR EARLY 30's.

LIKE YOU, I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE JUDGED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS DEPENDING ON THE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL'S FITNESS AND APPETTITE.

I HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT PERSONALLY I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE RETAINED BOBBY PIRES BECAUSE I FELT HE COULD STILL CONTRIBUTE. BUT, HEY, WHO AM I TO QUESTION ARSENE?

[Justin-the-Gooner]

Well ok of course the Romford Pele and I meant around the age of thirty. I feel overall it is smart from the boss.

[Magic Hat]

If they take the one year contract's then for the most part they can stay. Their going means a chance for someone else but not all are forced out the door, when they are then Arsene knows he has players that will flourish in their place.

[gus ceasar is a legend]

Still made a mistake getting rid of Bobby I am afraid!

At 33 or 34 I can understand the one year thing even when you had Pires's class but I thought it was an insult not to give him the two year deal he wanted!

He was still more than capable of being an asset to the team and the squad!