As we've seen another modern footballer in Dawson hand in a transfer request today, there's something I can't understand. As a player, if you go down as a club legend/icon, surely you'll continue to have a more consistent avenue of money into your retirement years through various methods such as autobiographies, talks, appearances, invitations to join coaching staff etc, all of which will be sought after by fans of the club. Not only that but the feeling of being truly valued and loved at a club, feeling at home, showing loyalty and integrity, playing for the badge etc, on top of the aforementioned long-term advantages makes it really not that bad an alternative when compared to jumping ship for an extra >30k a week.
Imagine if Steven Gerrard left Liverpool when he was in his 20s, or Henry joined Liverpool for an extra 20k a week in his prime. Would they still be loved by the fans of their original clubs in the same way? Would their fans still clamour for their merchandise/autobiographies after retirement? Would they be welcomed into a coaching/club role with open arms? Would they still be given contracts into their later years out of respect/leadership? I doubt it.
Maybe it's just me but I think if you've spent a long time at a club, jumping ship for an extra bit of cash when you're already a multi-millionaire is plain stupid. Can anyone shed some light on why so many players are reluctant to stick with one club in modern football?