As expected, Andres Iniesta has signed a new contract which will see him stay at Barça until 2014. His current contract was until 2010 and had a buy-out clause of €60 million, this has now been increased to €150 million. No details were given as to his wage increase but undoubtedly there will be one.
While I am delighted that now there is no chance of him being poached by Chelsea or Milan, I have to say I agree with Johan Cruyff on the subject of long contracts. A player may lose some motivation knowing he is now financially secure for life. There is also the chance that a player loses his form but it becomes impossible to sell him because no-one will match the wages he is on. I am reminded of the case of Julen Guerrero at Athletic Bilbao; he signed a contract years ago that kept him at the club until 2007 being the highest paid squad member despite the fact he hardly played in the last three years there. Let’s hope the deal has only a positive effect on Iniesta and he continues to improve as he has always has done.
7 responses so far ↓
Youssef Gazia // Jan 25, 2008 at 23:27
Nic, u made my day
Most consistance player in barcelona.
blaugranafan // Jan 26, 2008 at 4:20
Have faith. He’s one of the most professional and driven players Barca has. This is great news!
Blaugrana // Jan 26, 2008 at 8:50
I think iniesta is one of those players that doesn’t really play for money his previous wages were’nt that high yet he plays like no tomorrow the guy like many people on this blog is in love with barça, so i wud expect no change in his attitude.
Titi186 // Jan 26, 2008 at 14:55
I do have a view that you should give long term contracts to people at your own peril and on individual basis’.
Take Fabregas of Arsenal, who recently signed a 8 yes EIGHT year contact but he is playing the best football of his career right now. Same with Ronaldo of Man Utd. who is the best player in the world right now.
However, it can back fire, speculation, family problems, lack of financial motivation, the fame, or any other things can make a player not perform as he has the security of a long contract to fall back on.
I do think with Iniesta though it will not be the case. I think he will perform as consistently as ever as I beleive he plays for the shirt, not just the money.
Well done Iniesta, our best player of the season. You deserve it.
grecki // Jan 26, 2008 at 15:47
Little correction, his name is Julen Guerrero.
I don’t think we should be afraid of these risks in case of Iniesta. He has such a great character and work ethic. He is one of Barca’s (if not the) biggest assets nowdays.
Nic // Jan 26, 2008 at 16:00
Thanks Grecki, I knew it didn’t look right when I wrote it, and I couldn’t be bothered to check on it. Lazy of me, I’ve now corrected it.
JuanMa // Jan 29, 2008 at 3:49
In my opinion this is just symbolic. Iniesta is a great player and if all goes well
the future of Barca but he’s also at the mercy of future coaches. If his level decreases at some point whoever is the coach won’t play him and they won’t have any problem selling him no matter the 150m buy-out clause.
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