It’s Contract Time, Baby

Two of the more high profile players whose contract negotiations have been in the news lately took part in cup ties yesterday. Mancini, whose contract is up in the summer of ‘09, has been the topic of daily discussion in the Italian presses due to immense interest from Europe, and has also been on a ridiculous run of form over the last month – starting roundabout the same time Roma began discussing an extension (pure coincidence). Logic says if he doesn’t ink a deal before the summer’s over he’ll be shipped off to the highest bidder. So Mancini has responded by scoring 6 goals in the past 10 games and dusting off those patented stepovers, throwing them at defenses with little regard for women and children.

Mathieu Flamini has only a few months time before he gets to test the Bosman waters, and reportedly has been close in negotiations with Arsenal after hearing rumblings of some Juventus interest a little while back. So what did both do yesterday? Score skillful goals to remind their respective clubs precisely what they’re worth. Mancini took the ball about 10 yards inside the half, ran to the box, dropped a couple stepovers and smoothly slotted it home, helping Roma see their way through to the Coppa Italia – video below. Flamini scored a long range stunner against Newcastle which we can’t show you because the suits who run EPL television are useless gits. (But you should probably click this anyway.)

Forget agents. Forget words. Flamini and Mancini are going about the old school way of getting paid: on the field. That’s how you negotiate a contract.

(The commentator is Carlo Zampa, an Italian Ray Hudson without medication, and also probably the biggest Roma fan in the world.)

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Category: English Premier League, Europe, Serie A, World Football