Figures of the Month: September

Ilary Blasi a.k.a. Mrs. Francesco Totti

As TK’s Financial Czar, I feel obliged to comment on some of the more surprising figures in the world of soccer every month.  Yes, Ilary Blasi is blessed with some delicious curves, and legs that never seem to end, but I’m referring to the more cerebral type of figures; numbers, digits, stats, quotas, aggregates, and even the odd integer.

£121m : The amount of money Manchester City lost last year in a bid to be on “sustainable [financial] footing in the future.” I think City and BP have similar concepts of what the word sustainable means. City’s wage bill alone is eight million pounds MORE than all their revenue for the entire year.

1: The number of October away games Manchester City have won since 2003.  I am debating which of these two figures is more appalling.

£56 million: Arsenal’s pre-tax profit last year, a record for the club.  Oddly enough, after taxes were taken into account, the profits rose to 61m  No wonder we are in a global recession.

1: The number of goalkeepers Arsenal didn’t sign this off-season. I am really debating which of these two figures is more appalling.

6: Liverpool’s accrued point total after six games, that along with a -3 goal differential it is the worst start to a season in their “F*&K Off Chelsea FC” illustrious history.

13: The ‘lucky’ number of shots West Ham’s Victor Obinna has had this year without a goal, the highest in the Prem League.  As this number is obviously a curse, I expect him to remain there for the time being.

£3 million: The amount of money owed to Portsmouth from Genoa over the sale of Kevin-Prince Boateng. Having not yet received the funds, Portsmouth are throwing a hissy fit complaining that Genoa, “have all sorts of excuses. It’s come to a point where we’ve had enough.” This is rather rich seeing as they owe a combined £17.3 to other clubs in unpaid player transfer fees.