sussexpob wrote:365notout wrote:I think Watford are owed a huge amount of praise so far this season...but aren't really getting any.
Hard to praise a team that basically cheated their way to the Premiership using a complex international feeder club system that should have long been outlawed before they got there.
Its a clever business model. Buy unsuccessful team favourites to go down to Div 1 for nothing. Loan them 15 players from a current Champions League squad and watch them fly up the table. Keep on loaning them players until they get promoted, while simultaneously using them as a base for giving younger players game time. If the loan laws change, sign said players for no fee, as you own both clubs anyway. If project fails, player comes back for free. Chip in a few players from a third club in Spain that was bought before it went bankrupt just as a base to exploit lax work permit laws for the scouting system that covers all three sides, and you have a good launchpad for success.
In fact, this is a great business model to make money. I am surprised more owners of decent Champions League teams dont buy random Div 2 teams and loan them world class players until they hit the 100 million pay day of the Premier League. There is basically little risk. If it doesnt work you havent put money into the team because your other money generating side is paying the wages, you dont have to pay transfer fees, and you can have these players back for free if the project goes wrong. You can also use the lower team to generate cash for the players who turn good by increasing the game time you can give to your scouting network, which is known as one of the best in the world because three top tier clubs help fund it.
So yes..... we should be praising Watford for their great job, but shouldnt forget Udinese or Granada, who have been brilliant for them in the last few years too.
I thought overseas loan signings are no longer classed as transfers, due to how Watford supplemented their squad. I imagine once the homegrown rules take full effect combined with naming a 25 man squad, Watford's business model will have to change.
Charlton Athletic have a similar business model. Problem is European players are not used to playing 50+ game seasons and can get easily found out.
Chelsea's model of signing talented overseas players and loaning them out to European teams in order to gain experience, beat Financial Fair Play and the 25 man squad is just as bad.
