Europa League - Blessing In Disguise?

[WarrenB]

I've been reading quite a bit about some of the conspiracy theories behind us losing our last 2 games and that it was a deliberate ploy to avoid the europa league. Firstly, I doubt that kenny or the players would be that unprofessional and disrespectful to the club and it's fans. Secondly, it would have been the perfect platform to put our reserves/youngsters to the test to see if they are worth a place in the first team squad. Something I am sure that Kenny has considered; after all, the amount of supposed talent that has come and gone isn't necessarily due to them not being good enough - in many cases it is probably that we didn't KNOW if they were good enough and there was little chance for us to take a risk on them.

However, I was thinking about this last night and there could be one possible reason for Kenny/FSG wanting to avoid the europa league and that is because they are planning on spending big in the transfer market. The fair play rule (spend:turnover ratio) only applies to clubs playing in UEFA competitions so those only competing in domestic leagues and cups can spend as much as they like still.

A possibility, or have I missed something?

[The_weatherman]

It can't really be it, we just lost those games, lacked the will to win, played badly or whatever. Even if we surpassed what we are allowed to spend we'd not be booted out of Europe next season, I think it's from 2013?

But this gives us a platform to really remove all the deadwood and only keep a quality squad with youngsters which we can then build on the season after. We don't need a massive squad now. I think we could even boot out the following

Jones, Poulsen, Cole, Jovanovic, Aurelio, Konchesky, Degen, El Zhar, Aquilani, Ngog

and still not feel much in terms of a loss to the squad. These players barely contributed this season and we had several Europa games, albeit few cup games

We are in a great position IMO, just get in real quality players, no squad fillers, we don't need them.

[G]

I've been reading quite a bit about some of the conspiracy theories behind us losing our last 2 games and that it was a deliberate ploy to avoid the europa league. Firstly, I doubt that kenny or the players would be that unprofessional and disrespectful to the club and it's fans. Secondly, it would have been the perfect platform to put our reserves/youngsters to the test to see if they are worth a place in the first team squad. Something I am sure that Kenny has considered; after all, the amount of supposed talent that has come and gone isn't necessarily due to them not being good enough - in many cases it is probably that we didn't KNOW if they were good enough and there was little chance for us to take a risk on them.

However, I was thinking about this last night and there could be one possible reason for Kenny/FSG wanting to avoid the europa league and that is because they are planning on spending big in the transfer market. The fair play rule (spend:turnover ratio) only applies to clubs playing in UEFA competitions so those only competing in domestic leagues and cups can spend as much as they like still.

A possibility, or have I missed something?

The FFP rules are based over 3 seasons starting now so anyone hoping to play in UEFA comps in the next few season has to start complying with those rules now.

that is of course if UEFA actually decide to enforce them and given their dislike of the influence the premier league has I'd say they will be quite eager to ensure English clubs comply