Are the days of bargain players numbered?

[Jimpav]

There have already been some eye watering sums blown in the transfer window this season and not just on British players.

Are bargain buys a thing of the past for everyone or just for the clubs that have more money than sense?

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

I personally think Gecov is a bargain for £700k after watching him at the Euros, but I see your point and would have to agree. Must consider the way the economy is as the reason why players are increasing at price, a lot of the lower teams asking a lot for their best players just to stay afloat.

[Lighthouse]

To be fair there never were bargain buys. There were old players who were nearing the end of their career who suddenly had a new lease of life. Or players who were rubbish until given the right coaching or played in the right position. No good buying a forward and expecting him to play well if he likes the ball to feet and we you keep giving him high balls etc.

So look for the player with potential and hope he reaches it. Or look for the has been or hasn't been yet. Be nice if we could buy the finished article though just once.

[FFCcravencottage]

well I would certainly say Saha was a bargain buy £2,000,000 and sold for £12,000,000. I wouldn't mind another deal like that turning up, I'm sure they are out there. I was hoping Jol knew of a Dutch/German young gem striker to be snapped up.

[jarv]

Sign of the times. Has Fulham ever bought aproven player? I sruggle to fnd one.

Saha was failing at Newcastle. (and still young)
Boa Morte was rubbished at Arsenal and Southampton by the fans.
BZ was a gamble, now top drawer.
Dempsey was an unknown American.

I would say the are all "bargains"

Aln Clarke was a 3rd division teenager when we bought him, one of the best England centre forwards eventually. If only Fulham had not gone down, I am sure he would have stayed for a while.

VDS probaly tops the list of greats to join Fulham.

AJ was proven, despite his modest goal return, I hope he stays. If he stays fit, he will bag a few this season.

Frankly, I like it the way it is, Fulham would not be Fulham without some surprises.

[Jimpav]

I would say we have had a few bargains or unpolished diamonds even in the last few years (Smalling, Hangeland, Dembele) to name a few but the market does seem to be getting silly - looking at what Liverpool and Citeh have splashed out on makes you wonder.

I suppose there will always be a role for clubs like ourselves though to sniff out decent talent (from the youth sides and abroad) and nurture it - though I expect this is more of a neccesity as opposed to a policy.

[Jack Fulham]

AJ was proven, despite his modest goal return, I hope he stays. If he stays fit, he will bag a few this season.

I hope you aren't implying AJ was a bargain. Anything but.

[sipwell]

I agree with you that some teams have splashed out ridiculous amounts of money for the services of some football players, not just in England. Some Belgian clubs have been splashing money too recently.

I think the real problem is that nowadays, with the internet but also with the global economy, a lot of clubs can send scouts to far away places such as Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay. Automatically the prices for players will go up as a result. Anderlecht now secured the signature of a former Bayern Leverkusen player whom they both scouted (Anderlecht lost the race because of money) and whom wasn't good enough for the Bundesliga.
The number of football players isn't increasing but the number of football clubs in a position to scout and pay are, hence every player will cost a lot more money. What Chelsea, Paris SG and others have been splashing out borders to the ridiculous. They are paying more for untested young players than they are for first rate players.

Still, bargains can be done though. You just have to see someone's talent before anyone else does. Chelsea paid 8,5 million euros for Courtois, the new Van Der Sar. He will be worth triple that price when he is 24. They stall him in Atletico Madrid for one or more seasons. They'll have a tested, professional young goalkeeper fit for first team work in some time. Gamble, Jol, gamble :)

[HatterDon]

Sign of the times. Has Fulham ever bought aproven player? I sruggle to fnd one.

Saha was failing at Newcastle. (and still young)
Boa Morte was rubbished at Arsenal and Southampton by the fans.
BZ was a gamble, now top drawer.
Dempsey was an unknown American.

I would say the are all "bargains"

Aln Clarke was a 3rd division teenager when we bought him, one of the best England centre forwards eventually. If only Fulham had not gone down, I am sure he would have stayed for a while.

VDS probaly tops the list of greats to join Fulham.

AJ was proven, despite his modest goal return, I hope he stays. If he stays fit, he will bag a few this season.

Frankly, I like it the way it is, Fulham would not be Fulham without some surprises.

Excellent observation. And that, Mr. Jarv, is why you are a "legend."  :54:

[NogoodBoyo]

Hidden in the small print above is the fact that Smalling was definitely a huge bargain for Fulham.  There will always be bargains, the definition of which has to be a player bought at a much lower price than the normal going rate.  Fulham has quite a good track record recently.  Zamora anybody?
Nogood "bazaar, itis" Boyo

[FC Silver Fox]

Further to the above excellent remarks, I think that bargains are to be had with much yonger players, kids almost,  from around the world. The trouble is that the risk is greater. They may not realize their potential, due to injury or just precocious ability that does not blossom into greatness. Also, very few managers take the risk of playing these younger players in the premiership. It takes time to adapt to the Premiership and managers aren't given any leeway or time nowadays. Instant gratification, trophies and points are the order of the day. Arsenal are possible the only exception to this rule. I'm hoping that Jol will capitalize on our excellent young players. He's certainly making the right noises so far. I'm convinced there is incredible untapped potential there.