08 Aug 2013 11:15:28
Shakhtar Donetsk have completed the signing of highly-rated Brazil international Bernard -tv

1.) 08 Aug 2013
Another person young Brazilian who has chosen money over career-development at Porto or Premier League. Players only go to Eastern Europe to earn lots, decline in ability and become largely forgotten {Ed002's Note - That is simply not true.}

2.) 08 Aug 2013
Pity about missing out on Bernard, but at least those slimy ones up the road didn't get their mits on him either! BigBird72 COYS {Ed002's Note - Spurs did not miss out on Bernard any more than Greenock Morton did.}

3.) 08 Aug 2013
How is playing in the east money over career? Shakhtar Donetsk have been fantastic over the past few years.

4.) 08 Aug 2013
Shaktar have virtually zero competition in that league, no historic pedigree, and players values generally decrease after making big-money moves there. If Porto or a premier league team had offered the same money as Shaktar then Bernard wouldn't even consider Ukraine. That is sadly the reality

5.) 08 Aug 2013
Oh yes Shakhtar have been brilliant in the highly competitive and brilliant Ukrainian League. up against the mighty Dynamo Kiev and Metalist Kharkiv.

Give me a break.

Players only go out to the Ukranian and Russian Leagues not to play competitive football, but to earn as much money as they can because they know these wealthy Easter Billionaires pay silly money. Just look at Eto'o. A brilliant player at Barca. Yet went to earn stupid money in Russia.

Young players greed these days is disgraceful.

6.) 08 Aug 2013
Dont shakhtar play in the champions league? hmmm

7.) 08 Aug 2013
I think there are valid points to be made on both sides of this argument. Generally, highly-prized/-valued players go to Russian and Ukrainian sides because of the contracts and the wages they can get; however, in some cases, I think it's more about development.

Bernard's situation seems to be a little of both. His father and him (and to a lesser extent Atletico MG) said that they had no problem with him staying in Brazil for at least another year. They were also pushing for a move to Porto due to an expected easier time assimilating to the culture, but Shakhtar, as usual when it comes to young Brazilians, flashed the cash and that was the end of that.

At this point, I think it's useless to moan and wail about money ruining football, players being greedy, sugar daddies corrupting the integrity of the sport, etc. The horse is out of the barn, the ship has sailed, and any other metaphor you like. In a perfect world, as somebody who likes the game more than one particular club, it would be nice if there were myriad changes (and FFP is NOT that change) were enacted, but I think most of us know that this whole situation is going to get much worse before it inevitably collapses on its own.

8.) 08 Aug 2013
It's naive to say Shakhtar have been poor just because they've got no competition in their own league.

You don't go saying Real Madrid and Barca are poor and only top La Liga because everyone else is useless.

Shakhtar have been a force in the Champions League over recent years and have done a very good job developing young Brazilians. Just take Willian as an example.

Of course money would have been factored into the decision, but I doubt it was the key factor in the transfer.

But, if it makes you feel better that Shakhtar were "chosen over Tottenham" then sure, you can pretend it's just because of the money.

9.) 08 Aug 2013
To the second poster do you mean like when willan went there and became a forgotten man, yes the same willan we are NOW wanting to buy. To the ed why were greenock morton in for him, if so have they now got a sugar daddy. Great work eds great banter

10.) 08 Aug 2013
Actually Tottenham were the only English team to bid for Bernard so bringing Morton into it is silly. {Ed002's Note - Actually the original bid that was made for Bernard came from another English side more than a year ago. There was no bid from Spurs, and none from Arsenal.}

11.) 08 Aug 2013
Sorry but I don't buy what the guy said about going to shakhtar for money alone. Look at all the guys Shakhtar have been producing, willian, fernandinho, douglas costa, mkhitaran. Its no coincidence, they have a very good track record of developing these guys