Ramsey’s Contract stand Off is Gazidis’s Legacy by Dan Smith
With the Italian media adamant that Ivan Gazidis will be joining AC Milan in September, Gooners have started debating how much of a loss it would be to the club. The irony being that this debate happens at the same time a star player once again is being allowed to run down his contract.
12 months ago, Alexis Sanchez undermined our whole transfer policy by not extending his deal. In January, Man United swapping him was the equivalent of getting a good solution out of a horrible situation. We should have breathed a sigh of relief and promised to never put ourselves in that position again.
Unlike the South American who had said for months he wanted to leave, the belief is that Aaron Ramsey will eventually decide to stay, although we thought the same regarding Jack Wilshere. I don’t work in the world of business but surely there comes a point when all parties have to disclose what they want?
The Welshmen must have a figure in his head. Either our board think he’s worth that salary or they disagree and sell him. For every day there is a stand off, the more likely it is that we lose on an asset at least worth 50 million. Worryingly Gazidis has shown a willingness to let employees have just a few months left and still he will try and negotiate.
The cases of Sanchez, Ozil and Wilshere show we could be having the same conversation next summer. It’s hard to think of another top side who would give an individual so long to make a decision. Big clubs have more pride then that.
Imagine anyone telling Sir Alex Ferguson to wait and find out if they wanted to stay at Man United? It simply wouldn’t happen! Rambo must know by now if he sees his future in North London. A big club would give him a final offer and a deadline to accept. But of course Stan Korenke has no ambition for us to be a big club.
That is why it’s hard to define Gazidis’s legacy. He can only work under the criteria he’s been set.
There’s no point thinking another CEO will change transfer kitties or ticket prices. Maybe like Wenger there is no pressure on Gazidis to make us the number one side in the country and that is why he’s so laid back. But we know our American owner likes to make money and someone more ruthless would do that if nothing else.
We turned our back on 60 million for a few months work from Sanchez last year. Ozil exploited us knowing we couldn’t afford to lose him as well while we took Jack Wilshere by his word. We lost money based on a contract policy which is Gazidis’ remit. Incredibly for a successful business man he’s continuing that policy.
Yet a Harry Kane and Salah sign new contracts at clubs we are richer then. It doesn’t play out in the media for a year. It’s the same with our transfer policy. The first I heard Barcelona wanted Malcom or Man United Fred was the day they bought them. Our signings, again Gazidis’ responsibility are haggled over for weeks. You are only as good as who you work for.
Maybe he can’t be ruthless because that’s not the culture at the Emirates? Maybe he’s ordered to be careful with every last penny? He was the man who coined the phrase the ‘catalyst for change’. Supporters naively thought the only issue was changing a manager.
Well, there is just two weeks to the start of the campaign. Our rivals are outspending us and one of our best players is running down his contract ……seems the same to me…
Dan Smith