(08-25-2021, 07:20 PM)slifersd Wrote: The problem with freezing them out of teams is that we really don't have anyone who can contribute at their levels in their roles. Fine, bench Kessie for the season, we probably end up losing top 4 because of it, and the financial losses there would be massive. In these situations, we need to better gauge the temperature in the room and understand where we stand with the players really. This also seems like a common problem in European soccer these days too. Even PSG is having issues with the Mbappe situation and they have bottomless pit of money.
Precisely the type of thinking that got these players believing they are indispensable. Keep thinking along those lines and you keep having such problems. I don't believe the fate of the club's CL is tied to Kessie (or any other single player for that matter).
We made it to the CL despite Zlatan missing more than half of the season and he was the most important player in the squad. Before last season kicked off, none of us thought someone would come along, perform exceptionally and send the club captain to the bench. So who's to say somebody else won't rise up in the absence of Kessie (Bennacer? Tonali? Bakayoko? etc)
In any case, I'd rather take a plunge and play someone who has a long-term future with the club than get scared and play a player whose heart is somewhere and is only using the club to shine and get better contract with another club at the end of the season.