Theyre footballers. All they do is play football, which means that their value/stature/projected value is tied inextricably to their footballing ability or potential. At this moment, Griezmann is the better footballer, and therefore the more valuable (and more deserving of a bigger contract). Inexperience in the Premier League is a factor to consider, but to dismiss a player just because he plays in another league is idiotic and illogical. For every failure and flop there is a success story. Lets not forget the best striker in the league at the moment was an import from the exact same club as Griezmann is playing in now.
Where have I dismissed anything or anyone? All I said is you wouldn't import any player onto 300k a week unless that was his value (ie Falcao loan ~2/3XX,XXXk/pw or Di Maria going from 220k to 250k with us don't quote me on those figures I haven't checked them in a long time but from what I remember happy to go double check if it suits a counter argument.) He is currently on around 90k/w at Atletico, the club wouldn't be throwing down 300k on the table straight away. Probably even less so now that Di Maria and Falcao have flopped, they will be a lot more wary.
Also, I'd like to add that sentimentality is counter productive. Players who have served us well deserve our respect, love and idolization. But when it comes to allocating the finances of our club in the most productive way we must look past rewarding players for their past achievements and start looking at improving the quality of our squad right now.
Yes, they deserve our (fans) love, respect and idolization. They get paid accordingly by the club, in this case several negotiated deals in a stepped pay increase manner over a long period of service. Pay, wages and image rights aren't negotiated on a game by game basis. They are negotiated at the signing of a contract extension.
Rooney is a good player. Great even. But if I was given a choice between him and Griezmann for the same salary it wont even be a choice.
He's one of our best ever goal scorers and has served the club for over 10 years. Importing and paying Griezmann over triple the current salary he is payed at Atleti' would be a terrible move. We'd negotiate something much closer to his current salary to begin with.
Don't confuse my argument for me not wanting to pay silly money and wages for Griezmann and arguing that in my opinion the club would not be paying him a similar salary to Rooney for his importation on an entry deal. Rooney is highly paid because of his length of service and the garnered trophy success/personal success over this time period.
United rely on the performances on the pitch first and foremost. Our entire success story and financial might is interlinked with our footballing achievements.
Not entirely. I think drifter opened a thread on it not long ago saying our commercial revenue (outside match day and participation income) completely dwarfs what we earn through natural footballing streams.
The depreciation of our "footballing persona" as you mention it above does not begin and end with one player. The legacy has lasted fifty or so years already, the ties Sir Alex have left will depreciate slowly in my opinion, but over time you are correct it will cause a concern. I would not think it was anywhere in the life of Rooney's current contract let alone his continuation and retirement (if he stays at the club).
edit; On a global note that article I posted above says that his base salary is probably closer to the 150k deal he signed back in 2010... (or 175, 200? can't remember) So make of that what you will.
