The Daily Mail are reporting that the players will miss out on substantial bonuses if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Reporter Sami Mokbel states that several of the first team squad have “hefty” performance bonuses that incrementally increase depending on how far they progress in Europe’s premier competition.
All of that money hinges on the team qualifying by finishing in the top four. Fans on Twitter reacted to the story with a wide range of responses:
https://twitter.com/dadofawarrior/status/993607551899009026
Oh no how will they cope on 3million each a year ðŸ˜
— Tom Craske (@CraskieTheClown) May 7, 2018
"Dont count your money when your sitting at the table, time enough for counting when the dealing is done"
[An old country & western duffer.]
See where we are come the final whistle on wed/sun & until then give it 100% …players/fans/manager/staff/tea lady POSITIVITY!#COYS
— floyd (@floydyid) May 7, 2018
There you go, what better incentive then to cross the UCL finishing line pic.twitter.com/PEPRlGFtvT
— WhiteHat (@TheMacBoy_) May 7, 2018
Win the last two games – which are at home – and we get third place.
Don’t get the jips now and get fifth ffs. It’s been a good season but we can go further with a bit of strengthening.— I have spoken (@LewHolmes81) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/R9Pav/status/993605881458757635
https://twitter.com/bonkers_1991/status/993796287312080896
And yu expect to win titles while payin less.. joking
— Luckson Simon (@simon_luckson) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/EllisKhouri/status/993610340255649793
https://twitter.com/StokesN17/status/993605832934875136
Verdict:
It is certainly an added motivation for the players heading into the final two fixtures. With two wins guaranteeing a Champions League spot for next season, it is still very much in our hands.
However, the loss away to West Brom is a concern. With Chelsea just two points behind us, we have put needless pressure on ourselves heading into tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle.
Let’s hope the team get themselves up for one final push to get us over the line.