Source: Daily_Mail
HATCHET MAN: Ireland's raking in funny money but compared to the rest of the Man City slickers - he'
Putting a figure on what a player is worth at the gravy train that Manchester City have become is an increasingly difficult exercise, but is Stephen Ireland really worth £80,000-a-week?
Given that at the start of the season the playmaker had to be summoned from a shopping trip to play in a friendly and invented an excuse to avoid playing for the Republic of Ireland team, it looks a little rash.
In a rich man's world: Ireland with City boss Mark Hughes
One good season does not make a career and throwing loads of money at a 22-year-old player doesn't always pave the way for the greatest of attitudes.
Anywhere else in the Premier League and the £40,000-a-week Ireland is making do with at the moment would be considered very good money.
But in the context of the new deal he is about to sign bringing his salary into line with players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge, Ireland is unquestionably worth it.
In fact, when the huge sum he is about to be paid is only half that earned by Robinho at a club who seem to be swimming in cash, you start to wonder if the 22-year-old couldn't even have negotiated more.
