England's future... saved by Bell

THE GREAT CONTRACT BONANZA WITH SOLSKJAER AS ITS LATEST RECIPIENT

- ANDYDUNN

SOLSKJA IT would be easy to become immune to the ridiculous numbers but football contracts never cease to be a rich — a filthy rich — source of wonderment.

We probably all have a favourite. Remember Alan Pardew’s eight-year deal as manager of Newcastle? It only expired last June.

How about West Ham signing a 26-year-old Jack Wilshere, whose unfortunate injury issues were a closely guarded secret, to a three-year contract worth the best part of £15million? He played less than seven hours of Premier League football for the Hammers.

Will paying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over £350,000 a week until he is 34 prove a cause of regret for Arsenal?

They have plenty of form for that, ask Mesut. But perhaps you still have a soft spot for an old chestnut such as Winston Bogarde’s £40,000 a week for nine Chelsea appearances between 2000 and 2004?

“I may be one of the worst buys in the history of the Premier League but I don’t care,” said Bogarde. Top man.