Source: Daily_Mail
The fight for image rights is simply wrong at West Ham
One of them has struggled badly with a weight problem and hardly played for the club, another has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch and the other has a World Cup gaffe hanging over him. [LNB]But Kieron Dyer, Benni McCarthy and Robert Green are still among those reportedly unhappy with West Ham for not paying for their image rights. [LNB]Welcome to the wacky world of the Premier League. [LNB] Not a good sign: Green gestures towards the press after beating Spurs[LNB]If image rights meant what they appear to, two of the above would probably owe West Ham money and Robert Green, after gesturing to the press last Saturday, would be in dangerous territory. [LNB]So whatever is thrown up from the collision course that the taxman and clubs appear to be on over the rights, a name change for them must be a part of it. [LNB]Joey Barton being paid £675,000 for image rights when he was in prison only underlines how much of a gruesome misnomer it is. [LNB]At the core of the concept, in football at least, is a tax-efficient way to pay players and there are some fair examples. [LNB]Scott Parker, apparently also out of pocket while West Ham withhold payments and await a tax ruling on the rights, has done more than most to shine a positive light into Upton Park. [LNB]Yet it seems that for every player whose rights are valuable there are another 10 being paid for them who shouldn't be. [LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------Carlo Ancelotti flashed a wry smile as he was asked about Chelsea's problem with youth. [LNB]Before the club were accused of having too many old players and now the questioners were claiming they could suffer from inexperience. [LNB]But it is no laughing matter - for him or his peers. [LNB] One for the future: Chelsea youngster McEachran (left) is tipped for the top[LNB]Finding a winning formula for the introduction of young players at the very top level is a challenge no-one here seems to have cracked. [LNB]As the Premier League's new 25-man squad rule and UEFA's financial regulations make their mark, successfully bringing through youngsters looks more important than ever. [LNB]Yet no Premier League manager has consistently brought through groups of young players and still won trophies. [LNB]Manchester United's golden generation of the 1990s appear to be the exception that proves the Alan Hansen rule that you never win anything with kids. [LNB]Arsene Wenger may have produced some excellent young teams but the last Arsenal line-up to lift a trophy contained players such as Lauren, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, and even five years ago they were not in the first flush of youth. [LNB] More from Leo Spall... Leo's London: No-one likes them but Chelsea really do care!22/09/10 Leo's London: Palacios could be a problem if he can't hold role at Spurs15/09/10 Leo's London: Don't blame Avram for West Ham's woes... it's Thomas's fault08/09/10 LEO'S LONDON: The summer's transfer window winners and losers... 01/09/10 LEO'S LONDON: Why Gallas is not worthy of true villain status25/08/10 Leo's London: Plastic is not fantastic - Spurs should have avoided pitch woe19/08/10 LEO'S LONDON: When Saturday comes... the Premier League will be reduced to dress rehearsals thanks to transfer window chaos11/08/10 Leo's London: More fool Fabio if Capello takes England gamble on kid Wilshere05/08/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Exciting youngsters such as Josh McEachran and Gael Kakuta have a role to play now for Chelsea but Ancelotti will know they still need nurturing. [LNB]Giving them major responsibilities against Marseille in a key Champions League game would not be ideal and getting the right balance of young and older players is notoriously difficult. [LNB]Introducing youth requires one of the scarcest qualities in the game: patience, and even with young player development converts Arsenal, it is wearing thin. [LNB]Tottenham are at a period in their development when that quality is unlikely to be present often - they probably need sustained success first. [LNB]Loan moves are the option they use most, but the Carling Cup is also a useful vehicle for giving young players experience. [LNB]The problem is, Spurs and Chelsea both crashed and burned trying to get somewhere with that last week - and it is a long time until the FA Cup starts. [LNB]Ancelotti and Chelsea should be applauded for turning to youth and one can only hope the manager has a fast-working formula for their integration - or some very mature kids. [LNB]In recent years it has appeared to be anything but child's play. [LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------It is a sign of the times in the Championship that manager Neil Warnock has declared himself content with QPR's exit from the Carling Cup. [LNB]Slimming down the club's ambitions and concentrating on the marathon race for promotion is no bad thing with hindsight. [LNB]Warnock argued that it will reduce the amount of travelling done by his team and, of course, there will be fewer games to play. [LNB]Given how tight and gruelling the Championship usually is, maybe resting your best players in the Carling Cup is the approach every team in the division with serious promotion hopes should take. [LNB] West Ham keeper Green escapes FA probe after gesture to press boxAncelotti defends thin blue line at Chelsea and insists kids add strength[LNB][LNB]
