The truth about player strikes and why clubs are so confident the threat is ‘pie in the sky’: THE SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN

Manchester City midfielder Rodri broke ranks this week to indicate players were taking matters into their own hands and that they are ‘close’ to striking.

The reaction of one leading figure at a Premier League club when approached for his thoughts on whether it was a genuine possibility was unequivocal.

‘Absolutely not. I’ve never heard such nonsense,’ he fired back.

Asked why? ‘Money,’ was his rather terse response.

He isn’t alone, either, in thinking the threat of footballers downing tools is no more than an empty gesture aimed at scaring those in charge of football scheduling into a rethink.

Rodri’s claims may well be true, but when push comes to shove, are they really going to jeopardise their earning power?The Spaniard earns a reported £220,000-per-week. That is a lot of money to walk away from.

Because if the playing community are serious about striking, then you can be sure their clubs and associated sponsors will start forensically examining the contractual fine print in order to stop paying.

Similarly, picture this scenario. Players are striking. The football isn’t as good – or worse – stops completely.

What will you watch on TV? Or more pertinently, will the broadcasting companies – who effectively pay the players’ wages – stand for it? You can take an educated guess at the answer.

It wasn’t too long ago that the world shut down because of Covid – yet we were all able to watch football matches on TV because clubs wanted to fulfil their lucrative broadcasting contracts because not doing so would cost them millions.

The sums of money involved are astronomical. Talk of strikes are fine, all employees should have the right to push for optimum working conditions.

But striking is the nuclear option – one that many club officials believe is pie in the sky.

The difficulties in finding a collective position would be nigh on impossible, too.

For every footballer who feels he is playing too much, there is another who wants to be involved more.

Rodri played 64 matches last season for club and country. Kalvin Phillips, his midfield colleague, made just one start for City before leaving on loan for West Ham in January.

You can imagine Rodri and Phillips will have differing views on possible strike action.

For every player who feels burnt out, there is a manager who is unwilling to rotate him.

For every player who feels knackered, there will be a voice at the back of his head telling him that he will lose his place if his replacement performs well.

A player who feels he is on his last legs will also demand to play next week’s semi-final. You can’t have your cake and eat it.

Players want to play on their terms. Managers only rotate on their terms. Clubs will operate on their terms. TV companies will influence on their terms.

Furthermore, in the event of strike action, would those lower down the football pyramid be expected to walk out too?

Those on top money in the Premier League could probably afford to miss out on wages.

But could a father-of-three playing in League One, earning £1,500 a week, afford the luxury of going a period unpaid?

If they decided they couldn’t afford to, would they be called a ‘scab’ for continuing to play?

For the Professional Footballers’ Association, that is a minefield they will have to navigate if talk of a strike gathers genuine traction.

Chief executive Maheta Molango is at the forefront of the PFA’s player-welfare fight. He is at pains to ensure his members’ voices are heard – but getting everyone singing from the same hymn sheet will provide its own battles.

Yet we shouldn’t underestimate the players’ ability to mobilise for a worthy cause.

Their work for the NHS during Covid was remarkable. The #ENOUGH campaign in 2019, that saw players collectively take part in a social media blackout in response to increased instances of discriminatory online abuse towards footballers, provided another shining example of footballers combining for good.

Indeed, players should be listened to. Diminishing standards on the pitch is the last thing any of us want. Indeed, Mail Sport has learned there are similar complaints emerging from the women’s game.

The proliferation of women’s matches is said to be taking its toll. At a time when women’s football is finally receiving the attention, profile and money it has craved, the quality of the product has to remain as high as possible.

Yet, with all that said, this is what players signed up for. What they once dreamt of.

Many of them are paid handsomely to live out those dreams. Are they really going to walk away from that?

Magpies set to offer Gordon huge new deal

Newcastle will offer to make Anthony Gordon their highest earner on a deal worth close to £9million per season as they try to convince him to stay at St James’ Park.

As revealed by Mail Sport’s Craig Hope, the Magpies have opened preliminary talks with England international Gordon over a new deal.

Club captain Bruno Guimaraes is the club’s top earner on around £160,000 a week – but it is understood any new contract for Gordon would eclipse the Brazil star’s salary.

Gordon was the subject of concrete interest from Liverpool over the summer, while Arsenal are monitoring the winger’s situation very closely.

Mail Sport understands that the 23-year-old was open to leaving for a Champions League side during the summer.

However, Newcastle have made securing Gordon’s long-term future their top priority and are willing to raise their current wage ceiling to persuade the attacker to stay.

If the 23-year-old doesn’t extend his deal, Newcastle may consider selling him next summer.

Marinakis’ heartfelt message 

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sent a heartfelt personal message to staff following Saturday’s historic win at Liverpool.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored a euphoric win over the Merseysiders courtesy of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s brilliant strike. It was the club’s first victory at Anfield since 1969.

And Marinakis was so overjoyed by the result that he sent an uplifting message to his colleagues that read: ‘All over the radio, the press. Finally we are getting the credit you all deserve.’

The message was accompanied by a photo of the front page of the Sunday Times’ sport supplement which ran with the headline ‘Even Clough didn’t do this’.

Since the excellent victory over Arne Slot’s side, Marinakis has reinforced the importance of drawing a line under the win and building on their encouraging, undefeated season so far.

City agents are keeping options open 

Representatives of Manchester City’s star-studded squad have begun exploring their options amid the looming threat of enforced relegation.

City’s legal fight against 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules started in London on Monday.

Proceedings are expected to last 10 weeks with a verdict not out until 2025.

If City are found guilty of the most serious charges, the sanctions open to the Premier League could see the champions lose their top-flight status.

And, aware of the impact of such a punishment, agents are trying to cover every eventuality to ensure their players are protected.

The future of City’s squad will be called into question should the club lose their top-flight status as a result of the ongoing case.

And agents are keen to hear the club’s plans and be informed of the options open to them if the worst-case scenario occurs.

Odegaard set for eight weeks on the sidelines 

Arsenal fear Martin Odegaard will miss around eight weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Mikel Arteta confirmed on Wednesday that his captain had suffered a ‘significant’ injury when playing for Norway last week but fell short of putting a timescale on his recovery.

But Mail Sport has learned the expectation is that Odegaard will be unavailable until November, in a major blow to the club’s ambitions.

We revealed last week that Odegaard required further medical examinations after initial tests failed to show up the true extent of the damage.

Up until the Saturday, the Gunners were keeping an open mind about Odegaard making a quick recovery and considered alternative methods to get him on the field quicker. But it is now clear that the extent of the damage is so severe that he will miss an extended period.

Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri is likely to get increased time on the pitch in Odegaard’s absence.

The 17-year-old, who came off the bench to help Arsenal see out their victory over Spurs on Sunday, has impressed Arteta since the summer.

And the Gunners boss will use his promising teenager more frequently in the coming weeks to ease the loss of Odegaard.

M&C Saatchi to launch specialist football arm

Global communications firm M&C Saatchi have made moves towards opening a specialist football arm of their operation.

The world-renowned management agency, who look after the interests of some of planet’s most recognisable figures and brands, have filed paperwork with Companies House with a view to launching the new venture.

Richard Thompson – M&C founder and chair of the ECB – is listed as an active director of ‘M&C Saatchi Football’.

The company’s current client list offers significant football expertise moving forward; their roster includes Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redknapp, Carlton Cole, Stuart Pearce and Troy Deeney.

Mail Sport has learned that Jamie Redknapp, in particular, has been earmarked to play a lead role within the new division.

Two-horse race to seal Palace buyout

Parties interested in purchasing John Textor’s 45 per cent shareholding in Crystal Palace have been informed it is now a two-horse race.

Merchant bank Raine are handling the sale and are understood to have informed the most serious groups that there are two consortiums leading the race.

As I revealed last week, Textor – who needs to sell his shares in Palace before proceeding with his attempts to take over at Everton – wants to recoup between £190million-£200m for his stake.

The US tycoon has asked Raine to fast-track his sale and the imminent selection of a preferred bidder, according to sources, could see the process wrapped up within a month.

The group selected as No 1 bidder will be given full access to the club’s books before committing to the deal.

Meanwhile, Palace have spent the week celebrating loyal servant Terry Byfield’s 40th year at the club.

Byfield, hugely popular figure at Selhurst Park, joined the club as a receptionist on September 17, 1984, and has held various communications roles since.

Palace have commemorated his milestone with a week of celebrations, including a special dinner ahead of Saturday’s visit of Manchester United.

Vale heading towards Bosman exit 

Chelsea youngster Harvey Vale turned down a move to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month.

The Belgian transfer window closed on September 6 and Vale was the subject of concrete interest from USG, who play in Belgium’s top division.

But Vale remains at Chelsea as he enters the final eight months of his deal.

The 21-year-old, who has made five senior appearances for Chelsea since emerging from the club’s academy, also turned down a switch to Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq – a deal that would have been worth in the region of £850,000 to the Blues.

As things stand, Vale will be able to discuss a Bosman move to an overseas club from January.

Toffees set for Branthwaite boost 

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is targeting a return to first-team action against Crystal Palace next weekend.

Sean Dyche is likely to play his cards close to his chest when asked about Branthwaite’s availability for this weekend’s game against Leicester.

But it is understood Branthwaite has been earmarked to play in the Under 21 game against Sunderland on Sunday before being passed fit for first-team duty provided he comes through unscathed.

The 22-year-old has not played this season due to a flare-up of the hernia issue he had at the end of last season.

Pogba awaiting doping verdict 

Paul Pogba’s Court of Arbitration appeal hearing against his four-year doping ban has now been completed with the former Manchester United star awaiting the verdict.

Juventus and France star Pogba tested positive for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone, in 2023.

The positive reading was triggered by a set of pills allegedly prescribed by a US-based wellness firm called 10X Health Systems – a circumstance Pogba has used as mitigation in the battle to clear his name.

CAS are now considering the outcome of Pogba’s case ahead of announcing their final decision.

How Harry met Fergie 

Harry Kane couldn’t tear himself away from Wembley Stadium in the aftermath of his 100th England cap last week.

The Bayern Munich striker scored twice in the victory over Finland and remained at the ground long after his colleagues had left.

The England captain’s family, including wife Kate, his four children, brother Charlie and father Pat, were at Wembley to witness the historic night and ventured down to the tunnel area long after the final whistle to take photos to commemorate the striker’s special day.

And it has now emerged that Kane, who emerged through the ranks at Tottenham to become one of the world’s most feared striker’s, was singled out for praise by then Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson during an academy visit.

In Spurs icon David Pleat’s autobiography ‘Just One More Goal’, the former Tottenham manager and scout recalled a moment with Ferguson as they watched a young Kane – 19 at the time – in action.

‘He came over to me a said: ‘I like your No 10’. Our No 10 was Harry Kane. Although Alex would stand down as Manchester United manager three months later, he prompted United staff to delve into Kane’s background.

‘Had he remained, there may have been a serious attempt to take Harry.’

Eames shines with Hornets after turning down Celtic move 

Watford teenager Albert Eames is making waves at Vicarage Road having turned down a move to Celtic.

The 18-year-old, who has already made his senior debut, is viewed as one of the best young talents on the club’s books.

He is now training regularly with the first team, splitting his week between the Under 21s and training with the Tom Cleverley’s senior squad.

Eames signed his first professional contract earlier this year, but it can now be revealed that he turned down advances from Celtic.

The full-back has been compared to Liverpool’s emerging defender Connor Bradley and is expected to make a full breakthrough in the senior set-up this season.