Chambers Hits Out at Agents - Ipswich Town News
Skipper Luke Chambers has hit out at some agents who he believes haven’t got the best interests of their players - particularly youngsters - at heart.
"A good agent is someone who has the best interests of a player at heart. Sadly there are not many out there who think like that,” Chambers wrote in the programme for Saturday’s game against Stoke City.
"You used to have to be licensed to be an agent. Now anyone can do the job and there are loads out there doing it. Far too many.
"That can’t be right but with the money in the game, that draws people to it. People are on the look out to make money out of football whatever way they can.”
Chambers questions the role agents, or intermediaries as they’re now officially known, play in young players’ careers and says he tries to advise Town’s academy youngsters, a number of whom live or have lived in an annex to his house.
"Agents have a role to play at certain levels and there are some good ones out there but if I knew as a young player what I know now, I would have probably changed a lot of decisions I made,” the 33-year-old added.
"I’m trying to help the young players here in that respect. You get kids here, 16, 17 who get a contract. Well, it’s not down to an agent that they have got a contract is it? So why are they getting paid? How can you take money off a kid who is earning a couple of hundred quid a week?
"There are agents that will try and get a player moved because they will be on a cut of any transfer fee. There are agents that will have connections at certain clubs and make deals happen there. It’s all wrong but it’s another side of the game. Agents are a drain on the game in my opinion.
"I think it’s better to have former players working as agents. They have had a career in the game and know the ins and outs of it and I think that counts for a lot.”
What to read next:
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two PenaltiesTown keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.
U18s Hammered at PalaceTown’s U18s fell to an 8-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ Copers Cope training ground this morning.
Sheehan: An Exciting OccasionIpswich Town Women play their first game at their new home, Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, on Sunday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit in WSL2 (KO 2pm).
Peake: We'll Learn QuicklyWhen Ipswich Town Women make their eagerly anticipated first WSL2 appearance at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester on Sunday, defender Paige Peake will be making her second home debut for the club having rejoined after three years away playing for Southampton.
Selles: We Fell ApartSheffield United boss Ruben Selles admitted his side fell apart after Town’s second goal during last night’s 5-0 hammering at Portman Road.
McKenna: A Good Night But Still a Lot to Work OnBoss Kieran McKenna hailed Town’s 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United as a good night for the players and supporters and believes it was an important victory, but says there’s a lot still to work on.
Philogene: A Special Performance For MeTown winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match ReportJaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.