Featured: Reds want Johnson to take paycut?

[tlw content]

Reports today claim that Liverpool want to offer Glen Johnson a new contract - but only if he is prepared to take a put cut.

 

Various media outlets report that the Reds are keen to open talks with the England full back about extending a deal that runs until the summer of 2015, but not on its current terms which see Johnson earn anywhere between £110-139k a week depending on which report you believe.

 

Liverpool had to beat off interest from big spending Chelsea and Manchester City to sign Johnson from Portsmouth in 2009, and the contract he signed at that time reflected that. He signed an extension to that in 2011 - presumably either on the same terms or improved ones - but he's 29 now and will be almost 31 when his present deal runs out.

 

It's highly unlikely that Liverpool would offer the same terms or higher when it comes to re-negotiating as presently only Steven Gerrard is earning more. The club have been actively reducing the wage bill in the last couple of years and many of the higher earners have been moved on, so it's unsurprising that they are looking at Johnson's situation.

 

Whilst he is unquestionably overpaid, Johnson is nevertheless a key component of Brendan Rodgers' side and his absence is hurting the team at the moment, with Rodgers admitting; “Glen is the type of player you don’t realise what you’re missing until he’s not in the team.”

 

“He was outstanding against Manchester United so it will be great when we get him back. He’s got the cast off his foot now and he’s working hard to be back in the next few weeks.”

 

On the subject of contract talks, Rodgers simply stated; “It’s something the club will take up at the right time. I’m not sure where it’s at.”

 

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[Lario]

Reasonable stance by the club.

 

I'd imagine his paycut would still have him earning £50k plus per week, which is a sinful amount of money.

[JermainePennant]

This is a difficult one as his wage is very high but he is a key player for us who has been nothing but a model pro.Also there is no way we can upgrade on him,IMO I have no problem with top players who are loyal getting good money here but I do see the clubs point.

 

Whatever happens they need to come to an agreement where he stays.

[dave u]

I'm one of Johnson's biggest supporters, I rate him higher than most I'd say.  

 

I see both sides to this though.  We're paying him too much, as the fact is he's getting the kind of money usually reserved for matchwinners, not full backs.  If we were in the CL then it's less of an issue, but I'd be in ho hurry to tie him down to a long term deal on the same money right now.  

 

Who knows where we'll be in two years, we could still be bumming around in 7th, in which case paying a 31 year right back 120k a week or whatever would be madness, especially as hopefully by then Ryan McLaughlin will have come through.  The other scenario is that Rodgers may not be here, in which case a full back of Johnson's skillset isn't as valuable as he is now, we might have a manager who prefers a Martin Kelly.

 

From Johnson's point of view though, he probably feels that he could be playing in the CL but is staying loyal to LFC and should be rewarded accordingly for that.  If we offer him a pay cut, he can just see out his deal and go on a Bosman, which would probably mean someone paying him the wages he's on now if not more.

 

Tricky situation I think, as there are a lot of variables in play.

[therevivalist]

Ridiculous amount for a full back in the first place. A nominal cut wouldn't kill anyone.

[Batigol]

Hasn't deserved that sort of money for a long time, if ever.  Wouldn't be too bothered if we just cashed in and brought in someone else.  

[SpeedyG]

The echoes are "LFC can't/won't pay top players the going rate anymore".

[Gym Beglin]

He might be happy to sign it, in which case, Yay.

 

 

But if he's not, then sell him.

 

Full backs grow on fucking trees.

[Tony Moanero]

Tens of thousands of pounds a week. The reason why I take to very, very few footballers nowadays.

[Phoenix]

Couldn't care less if he is worth it not.  These reports of wages get higher and higher when the club wants to look to reduce the wage bill.  £110 to 139k? Really?

 

If we can get someone on less and use the money for someone just as good elsewhere then fair enough.

 

If he can get the same higher ages elsewhere and wants to leave for them then thats understandable too.

[xerxes]

Shades of Reina here.

 

Johnson is a good footballer, but he is not contributing £5m a year worth of value to the side. we could get a specialist full back, no frills, for half the money.

 

Would anyone else sign him up on the same money for a new contract? Chelsea didnt see him as top four material, Man U wouldn't sign him, City can do better and Arsenal wouldnt pay the wages for a player of that age.

 

I believe we are not getting the best out of him at full back and he would prosper abroad, maybe a CL side abroad would give him an opportunity?

[Russ Atmosphere]

We'll offer him much less than he'll get somewhere else, he'll say 'Cashback! Where do I sign?', sing YNWA and twirl an LFC scarf around his head. Good as gone, surprised we haven't begun listening to offers already.

[Pureblood]

Brendan is making a conscious decision to lock him in with the tempting lure of less money.

[The Guest]

He's easily the most undervalued player in the squad for me (by supporters).  Obviously that amount of money is a lot to be paying a full back a week but you have to look at the bigger picture.  The squad has chopped and changed a lot over the past few years and we need to keep some consistency.  Johnson is a good performer and his position isn't a problem position.  It might be worth paying a premium nobody else would because it lets us concentrate on the other problems which are no doubt going to appear.  eg replacing Suarez, Gerrard and even potentially Coutinho.

 

How much is it going to cost to bring a replacement better than him in anyway?  At 31 barring any serious injuries I have no doubt he will still be at the top of his game.  There aren't many better full backs in the premier league than him.  You are going to be paying a transfer fee as well as a good chunk of this wage anyway to replace him when he's ready made and settled here.

 

I also think Johnson really suits Rodgers' game.  When we play 3 cms we need full backs who are good going forward.  Wisdom has struggled defensively never mind having the other side to his game.  It's not as easy to find a good attacking full back as some are making out.

 

If you think he's going to accept dropping to 50K a week from the reported figures you're on crack and seriously doubt the club would even try that.  We should pay him the market value at least.  I think Arsenal specifically or another top team would snap him up on a free and probably pay 80K plus.

 

Xerxes has just mentioned him not giving the club 5m a year value.  I don't even know where to start with this.  It is completely impossible for any of us to put a value on what Johnson does for the club.  How do you apportion the revenue from the clubs league position to each player?  The commercial revenue from having a first choice England International in the team?  It's ridiculous.

[md1892]

He's no Rob Jones to be fair..

[Gnasher]

100-139 grand per week? Oh do fuck off. I'll bet he's on nowhere near that.

 

More cost cutting by the club, if people can't see the value of Johnston to the side in the games he's been missing, dont complain about the low cost mediocrity when he fucks off.

[Bjornebye]

he is a top right back. 

[Gnasher]

He's easily the most undervalued player in the squad for me (by supporters).  Obviously that amount of money is a lot to be paying a full back a week but you have to look at the bigger picture.  The squad has chopped and changed a lot over the past few years and we need to keep some consistency.  Johnson is a good performer and his position isn't a problem position.  It might be worth paying a premium nobody else would because it lets us concentrate on the other problems which are no doubt going to appear.  eg replacing Suarez, Gerrard and even potentially Coutinho.

 

How much is it going to cost to bring a replacement better than him in anyway?  At 31 barring any serious injuries I have no doubt he will still be at the top of his game.  There aren't many better full backs in the premier league than him.  You are going to be paying a transfer fee as well as a good chunk of this wage anyway to replace him when he's ready made and settled here.

 

I also think Johnson really suits Rodgers' game.  When we play 3 cms we need full backs who are good going forward.  Wisdom has struggled defensively never mind having the other side to his game.  It's not as easy to find a good attacking full back as some are making out.

 

If you think he's going to accept dropping to 50K a week from the reported figures you're on crack and seriously doubt the club would even try that.  We should pay him the market value at least.  I think Arsenal specifically or another top team would snap him up on a free and probably pay 80K plus.

 

Xerxes has just mentioned him not giving the club 5m a year value.  I don't even know where to start with this.  It is completely impossible for any of us to put a value on what Johnson does for the club.  How do you apportion the revenue from the clubs league position to each player?  The commercial revenue from having a first choice England International in the team?  It's ridiculous.

Bang on the money.

 

Lets fuck Glenn off and get a Julian Dicks type player back on 30 grand a week less money, balance the books, you know it makes sense.

[Maca]

He's no Rob Jones to be fair..

you're right

He scores goals, creates goals and has about 50 England Caps

He's no Rob Jones

[Bjornebye]

you're right

He scores goals, creates goals and has about 50 England Caps

He's no Rob Jones

 

shut it you bell end, jones would have been one of the best if he wasn't injured. 

[Gnasher]

shut it you bell end, jones would have been one of the best if he wasn't injured.

 

Rob Jones was a fucking great player. Johnsons not in that class but there are a lot of full backs out there not in Johnstons class. It's a case of careful what you wish for, as has been proven since his injury. Konky?

[Captain]

Dave, who wrote the opening piece?

[Maca]

shut it you bell end, jones would have been one of the best if he wasn't injured. 

 

nice one, internet tough guy

 

that's like saying frank Bruno would have been world champion if he could punch and didn't have a glass jaw

 

pipe down with the big man act as well dickhead - you're not impressing anyone.

[JermainePennant]

Rob Jones was a fucking great player. Johnsons not in that class but there are a lot of full backs out there not in Johnstons class. It's a case of careful what you wish for, as has been proven since his injury. Konky?

Jones was good but Johnson is in a class above him.

 

I remember Jones being known for being terrible when it comes to finishing which is not the case with glen.Jones also never contributed as much going forward as glen has even though Jones had more attacking freedom playing in a 352.

Edited September 24, 2013 by JermainePennant

[Paulie Dangerously]

Mad wages that.