How often do you see a player string a few decent games together only to have his agent start demanding an improved contract? It happens way too much and the player & agent usually get their way.
Film producer and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, is one guy who seems to be fighting back.
Argentinean attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi in his second season with the club, got off to an explosive start in 2008/09. And as per usual big English clubs started looking around at the talent (basically Lavezzi & Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamšík) and agents smelling blood start rumbling about improved contracts. At the time De Laurentiis had this to say:
"We made these players — two years ago nobody knew who they were,"
But the real frightener was:
"If they want to go to England then in the end they're going to go, but they need to understand this: the English live badly, eat badly and their women do not wash their genitalia. To them, a bidet is a mystery."
The players went quiet....
So this summer while Hamsik seems settled, Lavezzi started to apply the pressure again as soon as the season was over. There was talk of Liverpool being interested and so naturally, while he loves the fans, the player required improved compensation to stay. He even released a letter to the fans that I’m sure tugged at the heart strings of the population of Secondigliano.
The President initially said:
“A man who signs a contract with an agreed upon length and value, which was already improved within seven months of his arrival, cannot ask for more."
“It’s not even as if his performances warranted yet another raise throughout the season.”
“I am surprised by the immaturity of these professionals. It cannot all be based around money, there is also the value of the rapport between people.”
Kinda sounds fair enough. As the new season nears and decisions have to be made De Laurentiis, who has put together a competitive looking squad this off-season, put the matter pretty much to bed:
"Lavezzi is not Maradona,"
"He didn't even fire us into the Champions League or Europa League, so what does he expect? He only scored seven goals last season, not 27.
"He is an inconsistent player. The club is maintaining its position, we have never done anything wrong. Those who did wrong are the ones who leave the squad. If an actor did that with me I would have eaten him."
Is that clear?
Just to reinforce the point Napoli are talking to Lazio about bringing in Goran Pandev in direct challenge to Lavezzi’s spot.
Film producer and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, is one guy who seems to be fighting back.
Argentinean attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi in his second season with the club, got off to an explosive start in 2008/09. And as per usual big English clubs started looking around at the talent (basically Lavezzi & Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamšík) and agents smelling blood start rumbling about improved contracts. At the time De Laurentiis had this to say:
"We made these players — two years ago nobody knew who they were,"
But the real frightener was:
"If they want to go to England then in the end they're going to go, but they need to understand this: the English live badly, eat badly and their women do not wash their genitalia. To them, a bidet is a mystery."
The players went quiet....
So this summer while Hamsik seems settled, Lavezzi started to apply the pressure again as soon as the season was over. There was talk of Liverpool being interested and so naturally, while he loves the fans, the player required improved compensation to stay. He even released a letter to the fans that I’m sure tugged at the heart strings of the population of Secondigliano.
The President initially said:
“A man who signs a contract with an agreed upon length and value, which was already improved within seven months of his arrival, cannot ask for more."
“It’s not even as if his performances warranted yet another raise throughout the season.”
“I am surprised by the immaturity of these professionals. It cannot all be based around money, there is also the value of the rapport between people.”
Kinda sounds fair enough. As the new season nears and decisions have to be made De Laurentiis, who has put together a competitive looking squad this off-season, put the matter pretty much to bed:
"Lavezzi is not Maradona,"
"He didn't even fire us into the Champions League or Europa League, so what does he expect? He only scored seven goals last season, not 27.
"He is an inconsistent player. The club is maintaining its position, we have never done anything wrong. Those who did wrong are the ones who leave the squad. If an actor did that with me I would have eaten him."
Is that clear?
Just to reinforce the point Napoli are talking to Lazio about bringing in Goran Pandev in direct challenge to Lavezzi’s spot.
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