If you're familiar with the any of the plethora of modern-day video games, you'll understand that the term "loot" refers to both the money (gold, credits, coin, bottlecaps) and the items (trophies, baubles, trinkets) you might earn while living your virtual life. Or you might be a pirate, but you're probably not. Regardless, "loot" is a touchy and important subject in today's game, and the focus of discussion today.
I was recently involved in a debate with someone in the office here at ESPN Star Sports, and he believed that if Liverpool had won the FA Cup last Saturday, they would have had a great season. They didn't, and so his argument might be moot, but I'm sure he will also say that lifting one trophy at Wembley already constitutes a good enough season, compared to a certain Manchester club who will almost surely finish empty-handed.
That's besides the point, though.
The next few years are going to be vastly important in reshaping the financial landscape of European (and global) football. With the Financial Fair Play rules coming into effect, teams will be barred from overspending. In a nutshell, a club will very soon only be allowed to spend (roughly) as much as they earn (some reports suggest a loss of no more than €15m each year over the next three years on average). What does that mean for the clubs?
Someone once said that Champions League football is the difference in signing Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. While he probably meant the glamor of actually playing in elite Europe, rather than the Europa league, the statement holds more truth than ever before. While cut-price deals are always available (Yohan Cabaye, and even Rafael van der Vaart were much cheaper than either Villain), not being in the reckoning for the Champions League means than a side will be unable to offer either the chance to face Barcelona, nor the enhanced paycheck that could come with it.
From a player's standpoint, netting the side a few more dollars might not be high on one's list of priorities, and it's more than understandable. They play for trophies and medals and titles. Even the ones with bulging cabinets want more. But in this day and age, you simply cannot challenge for major honors without the financial backing that comes with the Champions League. Wayne Rooney threatened to leave Manchester United because of their "lack of ambition" in transfer signings. Arsene Wengers says that signing Podolski will "convince" RVP to stay. PSV, conversely, have been reduced to a selling club because they cannot balance the books due to a lack of Champions League revenue.
And that is revenue a club will not receive from winning a domestic cup. A good cup run (and win) is an acheivement, of course. But so is a good league standing. League positions do not lie, while a side may win a cup competition without being particularly good. Just ask Greece. And ask FC Alania Vladikavkaz, who got to the Russian Cup final (and the Europa League) without scoring a single goal. But the Europa League will always be seen as the "lesser" competition, regardless of competitors. Take a moment to digest this: Playing in the Champions League group stage will guarantee upwards of 8m Euros, which is already more than winning the Europa League.
And so reaching Wembley gives you a chance of some serious loot, and Steven Gerrard himself has said that his best memories of his playing career are the cup successes he has had, but the question is, of course, if it is the best loot. I've always preferred to speak and write about the tactical side of football, and have never enjoyed thinking about the numbers (other than the ridiculous story behind Nicklas Bendtner's 52). The issue of Champions League qualification, however, is quickly becoming more and more important. There was a time I questioned if aiming for fouth spot in the Premier League was good enough for a side, rather than tasting "actual" success. But it seems that in some says, that lucrative Champions League spot might already be "actual success".
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