Having had time to take in the news of RVP's non-commitment to the club I started thinking about the contract situation.
I'm not so sure that it's all down to the club. Robin had spent most of his first six and a half years with the club on the treatment table and playing a bit part in most seasons. We gave him a new contract even after all that so I can forgive the club for not tying him down to a new contract sooner.
After all, we could have handed him a new contract after the superb second half showing of the 2010-11 season but then he could have got injured for another season.
It reminds me almost of the Flamini situation. Couldn't get a game in his favorite position so didn't play for ages and then when he had one good season at left back he started demanding an extortionant amount of money to stay.
The club have learnt harsh lessons in the past about handing improved terms to a one good season player, Adebayor anyone?
I'm not saying that I think the club have done nothing wrong or that Van Persie doesn't have a certain right to leave if he feels that the club aren't going to win anything anytime soon ( might have done if you'd not decided to walk off tho hey Robin) but sometimes contracts can't be sorted before they get into a difficult zone.
Thoughts?
Contracts
posted on 5/7/12
After all, we could have handed him a new contract after the superb second half showing of the 2010-11 season but then he could have got injured for another season.
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With the situation the club was in last summer, I don't think it would have been a good time to be trying to convince the star player to sign a new contract.
posted on 5/7/12
Unfortunately, these days, contracts are not worth the paper there written on. Van Persie could have signed a bumper contract last season but if he changed his mind and started throwing the toys out of the pram demanding a move, there’s not a lot clubs can do about it. Most clubs don’t want those kinds of players around the dressing room so they get rid. Eventually, the player always gets his way unless you do a City on Tevez but that was a different situation as City didn’t really need him and could afford to let him rot. Would Arsenal do the same? Unlikely.
posted on 5/7/12
That's a really good point.
I am not sure that the club could have done any better on this occassion.
After all, whom could have predicted the season he just had?
And as far as I remember, the club wanted to extend his contract since January!
But if Walcott and Sond end up to leave next season, then the club could be blame. Not for RVP....