Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[rutski]

Regardin Foster and his attitude (sighting the international retirement thing) I want to put a different angle on that. Now, I haven't a clue why he gave up, and , for all i know, he could be a total pillock. But going on what he said, which was basically, he plays football for 9 months a year and his family deserve time, rather than him then playing the other three months.

I have to say, I do have sympathy with this. I don't know if he has young kids, but he is 28, so I would expect he has.

Now, yes he is a premier league (or was !!  ) footballer, who earns about 50000 per week, but try telling his , say 5 yr old kid that, and that he / she never sees her dad but dont worry because you will be rich when you grow up.

He may be a footballer, but he is also a human being and probably, a dad. You only get one chance of seeing your kids grow up, no matter if you are a billionaire, you can't have that time again.

So, if the reasons he gave are true, I fully understand, and in fact, admire him for putting his families life before his own glory.

But then again, I could be niaive !!

Do you live in the real world?

He trains for 3 hours a day and has a game once a week, sometimes twice, thats plenty of spare time for his family.

I work 40 hours a week and dont have as much time with my daughter as he has with his kids, he has retired from england because he knows that Hart is the number one indefinatly in my opinion.

Now mr foster was in the shit the weekend before last as he was out on the piss till 4 in the morning with the other keeper at blose doyle, his wife got him in the shit on twitter!
He also said in an interview that after a game he will go home and let the babysitters look after the kids whilst he and his wife go out to unwind and go to a club with friends.
Fuck, he is one caring dad when he gets up at midday with his kids needing an afternoon with the babysitter!
Footballers are not in the real world!

[holtepaul]

Deadwood ?

Well at worst Foster is Englands No.2 (if everyone declared they wanted to play) - and I think there is a debate in if he is betetr than Hart.

Now, lets think of players in the PL that are better than Foster.

Reina (will we get him - I wish) , Hart (debatable if better) , VDS (retired) , Freidal (we all know the score) , Given

Thats all I can think of.

So , if we don't get Foster - who do you want Casillas ?

[hartman_1982]

It doesn't matter , this is the thing - people just see the "fame, glamour , money"

He trains until 12pm - he has the rest of the day off. How does that help him bind with his kids - they are at school !!!.

Now, I have kids, we go camping in October term and  Easter holiday, go away for a few days to a city in February half term and try to get away for a few weeks in the summer.

Can Foster go away in February, October, April - no ! - doesn't matter if he earns 300k a week - he still can't do it.

Her has kids, kids don't care about money - they want love. If you have kids, do you think they want daddy in South Africa for 6 weeks whilst they are at home missing him, or would they rather be with him, on holiday, or at home.

I have known many many famous and rich people. In fact, my boss who I worked in the same office has now been classed as the richest personality in this country  - and I can tell you straight, it don't matter how much money or fame you have got - your kids want your daddy with them - not lots of expensive toys.

I admire Foster for doing it.

Oh - and if you want proof - Rio Ferdinand said in interview once - every year, his family go to Butlins , Minehead. When they asked "You are one of the most famous people in this country, you could go anywhere in the world, why on earth do you go to Butlins", he answered "Because the kids love it, they love seeing their dad make an idiot of himself in the dancing dads competition - if my kids like it, thats good enough for me".

Just because they are footballers, don't mean they are all dick heads (although a lot are I must admit !"

Yes they are at school, untill 4pm! Now most parents don't get home untill 6pm+. I honestly think you are over analysing this one mate, especially considering his children are 2 and 1.

[saunders_heroes]

Who is "the richest personality in the country"? It doesn't even make sense.

[Ian.]

Just got to say when your kids are just 1 and 2 its a special time and it it goes too quick. They aint babies long, so probably more reason to try to be at home as much as possible.

[Risso]

I have known many many famous and rich people. In fact, my boss who I worked in the same office has now been classed as the richest personality in this country  - and I can tell you straight, it don't matter how much money or fame you have got - your kids want your daddy with them - not lots of expensive toys.

You worked in the same office as Lakshmi Mittal?

[glasses]

Deadwood ?

Well at worst Foster is Englands No.2 (if everyone declared they wanted to play) - and I think there is a debate in if he is betetr than Hart.

Now, lets think of players in the PL that are better than Foster.

Reina (will we get him - I wish) , Hart (debatable if better) , VDS (retired) , Freidal (we all know the score) , Given

Thats all I can think of.

So , if we don't get Foster - who do you want Casillas ?

Paul Robinson for me. Not totally against Foster though

[ozzjim]

Foster would be a good signing. Better than Brad now, and got 10 years in him.

Still need a decent number 2, although still think Kirkland will turn up as GED loves him.

Who have Albion signed?

[Broadlee]

Here is a little whisper from within .. We may br trying to bring Gary Cahill back

[ozzjim]

Ah imagine the summer after MON goes we bring Cahill and Milner back - any others we should go for too... hmm

Linked with Al Habsi on the in the Mail tomorrow. Excellent keeper. Maybe cheaper than Foster too, similar age. Thought he has looked really impressive everytime I have seen him.,

[The Situation]

Here is a little whisper from within .. We may br trying to bring Gary Cahill back

That'd be excellent if we could sign Cahill.

As the saying goes... shoulda never of sold him.

[cdbearsfan]

Foster is overrated so is Bridge why would we want these average players here. We already have far too much dead wood on the payroll atm!

Bridge, I agree. But Foster is far from average. 178 saves last season, more than anyone else in the division. Now, I know Blues were under the cosh in many games. But more than Villa, Blackpool, West Ham, Wolves, with our/their shit defences? I doubt it. Plus he's not just a shot-stopper like many keepers. He's still young too. Sign him up.

[TheSandman]

The only thing worse than selling him for £5million would be to resign him for £15-20million.

[Greg N'Ash]

The only thing worse than selling him for £5million would be to resign him for £15-20million.

Aye. I'd love Cahill back but i rather think paying Bolton 10m more than we sold him for would be a step too far for Randy. Just a terrible terrible mistake thats best to forget about really.

[KevinGage]

Who is "the richest personality in the country"? It doesn't even make sense.

Jonathan Woss.  Or Giles Coren.