As the news broke of Aston Villa’s interest in Darren Bent, supporters of Sunderland were aghast at the sudden thought of losing their most potent attacker.
Nearly six months ago, the striker made the surprise move from the high-flying Black Cats to the relegation threatened side in the Midlands. With the fee set to rise to an eventual £24million, it was further evidence of how much money does talk in the modern game.
Bent’s decision did prove to be justified, as Villa finished one place above his former employers in the final Premier League standings. But still, the excuse of harbouring higher ambitions didn’t stop many North-East residents from feeling bitterly disappointed at losing one of their star players.
Half a year later and it’s happening again. Although this time, the mood around Wearside is not quite as depressing. With Jordan Henderson completing his move to Liverpool, Steve Bruce has lost one of his key performers once more.
However, Sunderland fans won’t be nearly as upset as they were when they lost their main goal-scoring threat in January. Sure, Henderson will be missed. Last season, the midfielder created 39 more chances than any of his teammates which proves his doubtless ability. Plus, who would want to lose a local lad brimming with potential?
Although, there’s losing a player for peanuts and there’s losing a player for £20million. In that, lies the difference between disappointment and well-wishing. When Bent departed, the huge price tag was all that was saving the striker and the Sunderland board from wide-spread resentment from within the club’s following.
Now as their 20 year-old starlet heads to Merseyside, the cost for a player who has played just two full seasons in the top-flight has been met with the raise of eyebrows up and down the country.
Had the midfielder been sold for £7million though, alarm bells would have been ringing at the Stadium of Light. Fans would have been up in arms and Bruce, as well as chairman Niall Quinn, would have come in for some serious flack.
Yet, Henderson has finalised a deal worth £13million more and suddenly, it’s not so bad. After all, supporters had questioned his consistency after a faltering final-half to his second Premier League campaign.
So the fact Henderson has been a mainstay in the first team for just two years and suffered a rather sudden dip in form during the second, makes it look very good business by Quinn and his board. The alarming difference in the two aforementioned deals, is where Bent has proved himself as one of the Premiership’s best forwards, Henderson’s price is based on what he could be, not what he already is.
Looking at the other participants in the transfer, it’s another positive step by Liverpool. Last season they showed their intent with the massive £35million spent on Andy Carroll from another North East club. The ex-Newcastle front-man has also only played one full season in the top-flight, yet big money was shelled out on investing in the huge potential shown by the now-England man.
It’s the same for Henderson, and also the Reds’ £16million bid for Blackburn’s Phil Jones. Jones seems set to choose Manchester over the Mersey, sealing a move to Old Trafford instead, but the money quoted is extortionate for a defender who only made his full Premier League debut last March. Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is also supposedly interested in Ipswich’s hot-prospect Connor Wickham. Despite being less than prolific in the Championship, the asking price is rumoured to be around £8million.
With English talent, costs are famously inflated. Whilst Liverpool may not be worrying about the cost, more the young, home-grown talent they can nurture into full internationals, its further proof of the state the current transfer market is in.
Clubs won’t see their best young players go unless a vast amount of cash is duly splashed. So it won’t be the last time a team like Liverpool spends a massive amount on an unproven starlet. In the meanwhile, it gives Sunderland and Bruce a big boost to the budget when it comes to strengthening all areas of his squad over the summer.
So as Black Cats fans wish their youngster well, instead of burning their No.10 shirts, it’s further evidence that if the money in the Premier League really could talk, it would be a regular on Loose Women.
Submitted by Football Friends
