Innocent or Guilty? The motives behind footballer’s transfers

PSG’s latest acquisition of Brazilian prodigy, Lucas Moura enlightens the fact further that players nowadays prefer being part of an establishing club rather than an already established club.

The reasons being multiple, most are influenced by money. Well, that’s the obvious reason. I mean why else would you choose to sacrifice European trophies for the cause of establishing a club in some random football-disreputable country in East Asia? However, it is undeniable that some intentions are simply pure and innocent. We have seen it in the past few years a great deal more than we have ever before.

Here we take a look at some such players and their probable motives behind their choice:

Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka – Chelsea to Shanghai Shenhua

Both these players definitely had a few more years of top European football left in them, especially Drogba. Anelka led and Drogba followed to supposedly mark China’s existence on the world map of football.

Motive – A move to a country with no footballing history. Money seems like the only motive.

Verdict – GUILTY

The former Chelsea front men have linked up again at Shanghai

David Beckham – Real Madrid to LA Galaxy

This is probably where it all started in terms of ambition for any club. When David Beckham made the brave move abroad in 2007, he confessed that he did it to make ‘soccer’ famous in the States.

Motive – 5 years on, Beckham has more than proved his ambition.

Verdict – INNOCENT

Beckham has succeeded in his USA mission

 Samuel Eto’o – Internazionale to Anzhi Makhachkala

The Cameroonian striker is a player Barca fans will never forget owing to the impact he left on the club. Neither will the Inter fans for similar reasons.

Motive – Certainly, with more than enough fuel left in his tank, he however chose to move to the Russian outfit, making him the highest paid player in the world. Hmmm, fishy?

Verdict – GUILTY

One final pay-cheque?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Milan to PSG

Having played for the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and both Milan clubs, the Swede has favoured a move to the French capital.

Motive – The move resulted in him being among the highest-paid footballers in the world and also made him the most expensive footballer in combined transfer fees but Zlatan says he wants to be part of the history of the club. A move to PSG looks quite promising and with pure intentions, I’m sure Zlatan means business.

Verdict – INNOCENT

Zlatan joins the PSG revolution

 Lucas Moura – Sao Paulo to PSG

This very promising player appeared to have his heart set on Old Trafford before PSG came knocking.

Motive – Although it is the very same club as the one chosen by Zlatan, with Moura the circumstances are different. He has yet to win a single trophy and when you turn down an offer from both Manchester giants, labelling Manchester ‘boring’, it is obvious football isn’t your priority.

Verdict – GUILTY

Cruel intentions?