We need not only to keep a lid on the overall wage bill, but also create a clear meritocracy in wage levels in the squad. The question is not only whether Kabak is worth X per week on the market, but also where X places him in comparission to our other players.

What if Guehi is on 15k p/w (at 21 years of age, the poor b******...) but he outperforms Kabak who comes in on 55k p/w? We've set the benchmark with the Kabak wages, and bringing Guehi up to £35k, which he might otherwise be delighted with, will seem like we don't value him. He doesn't sign, we don't protect the asset.

I'm not saying we should be shy to pay the going wage rate if the player is what we need, but ideally we should be looking to get someone in at lower wages, then upgrade their contracts in line with performances. That's probably the key difference in signing players to step up from the championship as opposed to across from other top flight sides.

The flip side of course is that Kabak is more of a known quantity.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (22 Jul 2021 12.52pm)

As much as I’d like a new CB I’m also really happy with the new lad Marc.G and Tomkins playing for us at the back. I’m really hoping we see Ferguson this season as well as he could be a real player for us.

Your right the wage situation within any squad , can become a major source of friction within any squad. But it’s common place for the management of most clubs to place different values on different players. And yes the situation you described could occur .
What I see so far is a general attempt by Palace to lower the wage bill , yet buy into quality, yet fully tried, and in doing that get that result.
As far as players questioning where they stand in the wage structure,
The new comers already have a number of old hands at the club to compare, to. It’s thought Palace have been paying inflated wages to these fellers for some time now, Wilf, £120,000 heads the list , everyone there looks up at that.
I get your point though, if it’s keeping a much stricter eye on the general level of wages within the squad.

I’m not so sure Kabak would see himself as one for the future. Already established at Schalke who until last season were always a decent team in Germany. Then he gets a loan move to one of the biggest clubs in the world…so no he’s not one for the future he’s a player who will be wanting first team football right now.

I hope we either get this player or another CB of quality but honest I’d be more interested in seeing how we are going to replace Luka because he’s been dire for two seasons now and it’s centre mid that’s a priority in my eyes. Tight midfield keeps as many clean sheets as a tight defence.

What you suggest is a possibility. I personally hope Kabak, doesn’t see himself in that way..
What I feel is Leicester, if interested would see him as another possible future inflated transfer opportunity , beyond being a well used central defence option. He would get game time at Leicester, not every week but they will have so many games to cope with he would have to be crap not to figure .
If at his age he did think he was already the real Mc,Coy,and only has to turn up to displace our present options, I for one would not encourage the club to take him. On the other hand If he thinks he can benefit his game more from the environment at Palace, 6then fine
As far as the whole team is concerned ,IMO, we still need more cover in , all areas of the team, that’s not likely to be achieved , but priority is one more central defence , at least one to compete with Benteke, and two mid fielders with more all round ability than possessed by our present group.

Edited by Putitout (22 Jul 2021 2.25pm)

Agree. European football will be a big factor especially for a player who has spent time at Liverpool. Think he may see us as to small an option, unless the PV pull works it’s magic