06-06-2014, 01:59 PM
I really don't expect us to really be challenging for trophies for a couple of years if I'm honest. I think outside of a couple of players, the club are really aiming more for a top 3 finish too.
As for Alex, unlike Essien he's been playing with consistency and quality for a number of years, with few injuries to be concerned about. He's been playing at the highest level and proven himself every year for a long time and while not on the right side of 30, plays in a position where in theory he's got a couple of years before he's really likely to decline. Also, I read he's going to be earning 2.7m gross per year, meaning he's actually on a pretty low salary (unlike Essien's 3m net).
Given the lack of quality alternatives who we can get and also the fact that it's a massive risk for the club to bank on someone young and unproven, he seems a fairly solid choice. Like I said before though, imo this is only the case if he's partnered with someone reliable like Rami and is considered part of a bigger project (such as letting a younger quality defender grow in peace while Alex is here).
As for Alex, unlike Essien he's been playing with consistency and quality for a number of years, with few injuries to be concerned about. He's been playing at the highest level and proven himself every year for a long time and while not on the right side of 30, plays in a position where in theory he's got a couple of years before he's really likely to decline. Also, I read he's going to be earning 2.7m gross per year, meaning he's actually on a pretty low salary (unlike Essien's 3m net).
Given the lack of quality alternatives who we can get and also the fact that it's a massive risk for the club to bank on someone young and unproven, he seems a fairly solid choice. Like I said before though, imo this is only the case if he's partnered with someone reliable like Rami and is considered part of a bigger project (such as letting a younger quality defender grow in peace while Alex is here).
