By Augustine E. Akhilomen
Since the inception of the round leather game in the early ninth century, there has been massive participation and interest from people from all over the world. This has brought about a modern development of the game irrespective of the ups and downs that could be associated with it in some cases.
Although football may have been adjudged as the most exciting, popular and followed sport in the world by some observers, however, it will be an aberration if one fails to mention how huge money spending has created the glamour and re-invent memorable moments that have captured the hearts of many football lovers around the globe.
Investing huge amounts of money in the administration of football has huge effect on the field of play for some clubs in Europe, most especially the ‘power house’, where the round leather game has become a crazy culture and a pure entity to say the least.
Unlike in the past when the running of football was run purely on administrative achievements with less emphasis on players that made such feat a reality, much has changed in ensuring that there is proper collective recognition for all stakeholders.
Consequently, the true measure of money and success can never be quantified due to certain circumstances that are beyond most human elements. However, the need to splash cash wisely to achieve utmost success has become a fulcrum for some clubs in Europe, either at the summer or winter break for which good results is the case.
Meanwhile, there are some schools of thought which believe that money can’t buy success irrespective of how much you spend. Also, that success can be achieved through proper management of available resources that you have on ground with limited cash flow.
Another school of thought believe that money and success go hand-in-hand, and cannot be separated. In real sense, money possesses the power or means to achieving success irrespective of the available resources you have on ground.
However, both school of thoughts might be right in their own individual opinions but then, having concrete management of it may just prove a determinant factor for achieving success.
The success of the following European clubs show why money could be a determinant in achieving success in professional football.
REAL MADRID
The Los Merengues as they are fondly called have achieved enormous success through the easy flow of cash. The availability of cash to sign-on high quality players is quite noticeable based on success on the field of play. During the 90s, Real Madrid players were tagged as the ‘galaticos’, because of abundance of talents in their disposal and the beautiful style of football which they exhibited with admiration from their fans. Players like Zinédine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and David Beckham, not forgetting Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka are mega players that have helped Real Madrid maintained its fame.
CHELSEA
Before the arrival of Roman Abramovic at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were starved of the EPL title for 50 years. The Russian Billionaire unparalleled investment have helped turn around the club fortune, with decent dividends in the 2003-2004 season.
After the purchase of players like Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba,Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack amonth others, Chelsea won their first EPL title in 2003, followed by 2004 and 2010 including other trophies in England under then coach Jose Mourinho and present coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
BARCELONA
Arguably one of the most entertaining and enterprising football clubs in the world, Barcelona have shown in recent times that achieving success in football could also depend on how much you invest in buying players.
The likes of Ronaldinho, Figo, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’ O, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa to mention few contributed massively in ensuring that Barca was crowned the La Liga champions as many times as possible.
MANCHESTER UNITED
One of England’s most successful clubs domestically and internationally, Man Utd have always been a constant spender in the transfer market and have in turn reaped success from it. At least under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have won 11 EPL trophies, UEFA Champions League twice and the FIFA Club World Cup once as major titles, which goes to show why the club’s owners will continue to maintain such policy at every given season.
MANCHESTER CITY
Without mincing words, City have lighted up their belated dreams with a UEFA Champions League qualification and FA Cup trophy after 35 years of ‘wandering in the desert.’
All these were made possible, thanks to Arab billionaire, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who pumped millions of pounds buying players and ensuring that the team gets back to their glory days.
The likes of Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, David Silva, and Edin Dzeko were amongst those players the Citizens cough out huge money on, in which the dividends is what he has reaped. Besides, this might not be the end to their big spending, as their UCL participation will further attract quality players to their squad.
INTER MILAN AND AC MILAN
Two of Italy’s most successful clubs, domestically and internationally, Inter and AC Milan have shown in recent times why money could influence success if well harness.
Having people like Silvio Berlusconi and Massimo Moratti as President of Milan and Inter respectively have enhance further hunger to for glory, which in turn required the need to spend big in the market.
Largely, the true influence of money and success depends not only on the type of players you buy, but the managerial capability of the coach and the rest of the management board.
However, money possesses the power to influence success, since it create an atmosphere of achieving the greatest goal in life irrespective of dark clouds that might want to stand as stumbling blocks.
