DID EVERTON F.C.'S SIGNING OF LUKE GARBUTT SCUPPER THEIR HOPES OF GETTING FABIAN DELPH?
THE signing of promising Leeds youngster Luke Garbutt caused few ripples in July, apart from some mild interest when he announced the move on his Facebook page.
But since Chelsea have taken such an almighty hammering from Uefa over the Gael Kakuta poaching scandal, the spotlight has fallen on a number of Premier League clubs.
Manchester United were accused in the Sunday Mirror of similar dodgy dealings to Chelsea, but football insiders will tell you that big clubs have been luring youngsters to their academies for ages.
It's nothing new, but Lens have successfully managed to get the process examined by sticking to their guns over Kakuta.
Good luck to them.
If we did act improperly, which our chief executive insists we didn't, then we deserve to be held to account.
I always like to wear rose-tinted specs when it comes to the Blues. We all probably do to some extent (that's why Moyes' rhetoric about doing things properly is always so well received by fans). We've definitely got a reputation as an honourable club.
But the Garbutt deal has clearly angered Leeds and despite the suspect timing of Ken Bates' accusations you've got to wonder where the truth lies.
Then a friend suggested something which struck a chord. I was always surprised by Leeds' slightly pissy comments when we were after Fabian Delph.
It seemed like they resisted any overtures from us but when Villa made a bid they stepped aside.
This comment in particular struck me as odd at the time
A Leeds United spokesman said: "We Wish to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa has conducted their interest in the player.
"Leeds has resisted approaches from other FA Premier League clubs since agreeing terms with Aston Villa."
I wonder if Leeds deliberately spoiled our pursuit of Delph in anger at the perceived poaching of Garbutt?
And I wonder if we're quite as well-behaved as we'd like to believe, or whether we're as ruthless as the Chelseas and Uniteds of this world.
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Greg O'Keeffe
Bit of both Greg.
Business savy enough to see the FIFA Training Compensation Scheme - marks good business for us allows us access to top quality talent at specified prices (for being slightly weak it means we can compete with the Man City's and Utd's pound for pound, plus use our excellent youth system to get them in, but not quite in the predatory Chelsea way).
But following the rules to the letter within them! Well known what Everton have been doing.
The issue I have is that the FA's panel were reacting to Ken Bate's pressure.
The man is an idiot who kicks up a fuss when he doesnt get his way. He was kicked off the new Wembley committee when it was spiralling over budget and time - which was difficult enough.
Do you know he once fitted ELECTRIC FENCES around Chelsea's pitch?! I mean the man is truly incredible (piece of work).
Everton have paid up now though, still good value for us except for the 20% sell on clause as far as I'm concerned. So Ken Bates can go jump off the nearest cliff, with his big gob, he'll be starting on someone else next week.
As for Delph, yes they refused to speak to us afterwards. And rumours also go that this also put fellow Yorkshire club Sheffield Utd on the way to stop speaking to us also......