Home
Chung-Yong Lee’s move to Crystal Palace this week has left Wanderers in their healthiest financial position for years, says Neil Lennon.
As the club’s top earner, the Korean star’s switch to the Premier League allowed Lennon to sign four new players on transfer deadline day.
And the Northern Irishman hinted there is more money in the pot for summer transfers after two lucrative televised FA Cup games against Liverpool.
While Lennon admits it was a wrench to lose his playmaker, he believes the decision to sell made perfect financial sense.
“You are never happy to lose a player of that quality but it was needs must because he wasn’t making any indication he wanted to stay,” he told The Bolton News.
“He would have probably had to take a pay cut, such was the contract he was on and it made sense to sell him.
“In the end we got a very good deal. We got money, got Barry Bannan for no money, and there will be bonuses and add ons later on. I think Chungy is happy too.”
Wanderers have more than halved their wage bill in the last 18 months to bring themselves in line with Financial Fair Play and avoid a transfer embargo.
Loan moves for three more big earners – Medo Kamara, Keith Andrews and Jay Spearing – also lightened the load for the Whites, who could now be in a position to invest at the end of the season.
“We’re certainly in a far healthier position at the moment,” Lennon said. “Okay we’ve had to get a few younger players in, and some of them won’t be here at the end of the season, but it was needs must. We needed to do some housekeeping.
“I wanted to get some players in with a fresh approach. I’m not saying they are world beaters but they could surprise a few people.
“There is a bit of pace in the team now, which is important, especially away from home.
“We haven’t spent money and part of that was to look forward to the summer.
“We’ll get money from the FA Cup games so we’ll have a little bit of a budget there to make the squad better.
“It’s not a huge pile of money but it’ll help.”
Meanwhile, home-grown star Zach Clough has been challenged to show he can electrify Championship audiences in the same way he did in the FA Cup.
The 19-year-old plays in his first away game for Wanderers at Derby today and Lennon believes the challenge of regular football will be good for his progression.
“We’re delighted with him but I don’t want to talk too much because I have got 19-20 other players in the squad as well but he’s made a very, very good start to his career,” he said.
“This will be his first one away from home but I don’t think it will faze him. His work rate is very good.”
Source
As the club’s top earner, the Korean star’s switch to the Premier League allowed Lennon to sign four new players on transfer deadline day.
And the Northern Irishman hinted there is more money in the pot for summer transfers after two lucrative televised FA Cup games against Liverpool.
While Lennon admits it was a wrench to lose his playmaker, he believes the decision to sell made perfect financial sense.
“You are never happy to lose a player of that quality but it was needs must because he wasn’t making any indication he wanted to stay,” he told The Bolton News.
“He would have probably had to take a pay cut, such was the contract he was on and it made sense to sell him.
“In the end we got a very good deal. We got money, got Barry Bannan for no money, and there will be bonuses and add ons later on. I think Chungy is happy too.”
Wanderers have more than halved their wage bill in the last 18 months to bring themselves in line with Financial Fair Play and avoid a transfer embargo.
Loan moves for three more big earners – Medo Kamara, Keith Andrews and Jay Spearing – also lightened the load for the Whites, who could now be in a position to invest at the end of the season.
“We’re certainly in a far healthier position at the moment,” Lennon said. “Okay we’ve had to get a few younger players in, and some of them won’t be here at the end of the season, but it was needs must. We needed to do some housekeeping.
“I wanted to get some players in with a fresh approach. I’m not saying they are world beaters but they could surprise a few people.
“There is a bit of pace in the team now, which is important, especially away from home.
“We haven’t spent money and part of that was to look forward to the summer.
“We’ll get money from the FA Cup games so we’ll have a little bit of a budget there to make the squad better.
“It’s not a huge pile of money but it’ll help.”
Meanwhile, home-grown star Zach Clough has been challenged to show he can electrify Championship audiences in the same way he did in the FA Cup.
The 19-year-old plays in his first away game for Wanderers at Derby today and Lennon believes the challenge of regular football will be good for his progression.
“We’re delighted with him but I don’t want to talk too much because I have got 19-20 other players in the squad as well but he’s made a very, very good start to his career,” he said.
“This will be his first one away from home but I don’t think it will faze him. His work rate is very good.”
Source