Alisha Lehmann

[MrBlack]

38 minutes ago, useless said:

Her social media will having nothing whatsoever to do with her being given a contract, the women's side is a serious operation, they're now one of the best teams in the country, with one of the best managers, last summer they took coaches from the mens game with high profile positions, this summer we've taken Arsenal's Assistant Manager who is one of the most qualifed coaches in the world, mens or womens side of the game, not to mention all the top players they've been signing, and most of all Carla Ward takes it super seriously, no way she would have a player in the team based on instagram followers, ask her to do that and would risk losing her as soon as another top club came in with an offer which wouldn't take long.

Last year Lehmann only got a one year deal, and that made sense, I presumed it would be her last season, and maybe the club did too,  but she was very good last season and has earned a longer contract, it's possible we might sign another winger and she won't be first choice, but she's going to be an important squad memeber.

But shes far from the best or most key player in the squad. It seems logically that the reason she got a 3 year contract wont be solely down to her footballing ability. And yes,  it is a serious operation, but so are mens teams and we've seen them sign players that would have questionable value at the price paid, if it weren't for the exposure and shirt sales they generated.

Do any of the other women's team have such a long contract?

[HanoiVillan]

7 minutes ago, MrBlack said:

But shes far from the best or most key player in the squad. It seems logically that the reason she got a 3 year contract wont be solely down to her footballing ability.

That doesn't follow logically at all. 

[MrBlack]

9 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

That doesn't follow logically at all. 

I meant in respect of it being longer than any other player. Useless was suggesting it was based solely on her ability... but if it were then other women's team players would have longer contacts. I dont believe any do.

Maybe its just the start of a new model we're following for the women's team though,  so yes there are other possible explanations.

Edit: Pacheco only got an extra year added to her one year remaining a couple of weeks ago, but then Anna patten got 3 years last month so maybe it is the start of a trend for longer contracts, for those that will sign them.

Edited August 24, 2023 by MrBlack

[MrBlack]

6 minutes ago, useless said:

The idea that she got a three year deal for anything other than her footballing ability isn't logical, and not sure what the mens teams over paying for players has to do with anything, that's completely different to giving a player a long-term contract just because of instagram followers.

Also she doesn't need to be the best or most key player in the squad to be worthy of a three year contract based on her footballing ablity, we're trying to build a squad, as it stands it's very small, last season she played in every WSL game, unless we sign another really top class winger this summer on a similar level to Hanson, then she will probably be starting most games next season.

And yes other players have three year contracts or two years with the option of an extra year, Hanson, Dali, Daly, Mayling, Parker, Patten Gregory and Blindkilde, some of those signed last year so only two years left now, but it's not uncommon.

My point isnt' that she's amazing, I actually think she can be improved upon in the starting eleven, but even as a squad player she's still deserving of that three year contract based on her performances last season, and in women's game injuries are rampant, so in some ways squad even more important than men's game, even if we sign a better winger she's still going to have an important part to play.

Fair point, well made.  Wasn't aware we had that many on 3 years either. 

[Demitri_C]

Apparently the rapper drake asked for her "jersey" 

She is a PR goldmine for us with all her followers

[Risso]

I can think of male players who have been signed for their media presence (eg Beckham at LA Galaxy) so why isn't it possible that the same happens for female players? I'm not saying it's the case here, but surely it can and will happen?

[WallisFrizz]

9 hours ago, Risso said:

I can think of male players who have been signed for their media presence (eg Beckham at LA Galaxy) so why isn't it possible that the same happens for female players? I'm not saying it's the case here, but surely it can and will happen?

I’m watching the Beckham documentary on Netflix (it’s good by the way) and the President of Real Madrid openly states they signed him for his marketing potential. They already had someone in his position and they had to shoehorn him in the side.***

Lehmann is a good footballer, seems like a popular member of the squad and and a good pro, we wouldn’t carry her if she wasn’t but I’m sure the PR and marketing appeal adds to her value off the pitch and would be a consideration in any new contracts. 
 

***not saying Beckham was a dud who only signed for Madrid because of his brand! But that it was a big motivator for them to go after him.

Edited October 12, 2023 by WallisFrizz

[Kiwivillan]

She wasn't starting for Swiss team and when came on late I thought she was pretty rubbish but barman next to my local who is from Hong Kong, and doesn't follow or care much for football, knew all about her and was keen to go see her because he'd seen pictures so I'll leave it at that

Edited October 12, 2023 by Kiwivillan

[AvfcRigo82]

2 hours ago, Kiwivillan said:

She wasn't starting for Swiss team and when came on late I thought she was pretty rubbish but barman next to my local who is from Hong Kong, and doesn't follow or care much for football, knew all about her and was keen to go see her because he'd seen pictures so I'll leave it at that

That's why giving the lady a new contract makes sense on and off the pitch.

Great exposure.

[Risso]

£150 for her 2024 calendar, should anybody with more money than sense want to see a different picture of her backside on a monthly basis.

[foreveryoung]

2 hours ago, Risso said:

£150 for her 2024 calendar, should anybody with more money than sense want to see a different picture of her backside on a monthly basis.

Bargain!

[Philosopher]

6 hours ago, Kiwivillan said:

She wasn't starting for Swiss team and when came on late I thought she was pretty rubbish but barman next to my local who is from Hong Kong, and doesn't follow or care much for football, knew all about her and was keen to go see her because he'd seen pictures so I'll leave it at that

She is a good player. She's got good pace. But she's no Rachel Daly!

We all know the deal with wingers. Inconsistent!

Her following is mystifying to me. So many men so thirsty just because she has a peachy bottom. It's rather embarrassing.

[Demitri_C]

I bet a lot of non villa fans watched her mr and mrs with luiz.

Very marketable masterstroke signing by the club

[tomav84]

19 hours ago, Demitri_C said:

I bet a lot of non villa fans watched her mr and mrs with luiz.

Very marketable masterstroke signing by the club

had to check. 1.8m views. the most optimistic estimate of youtube earnings for that video is still less than £50,000

but it's free money i guess...

[skarroki]

Rinse and repeat the same conversation over and over and over and over and over again. 

She is popular on Instagram.

There's a lot of thirsty men who know about her.

A lot of people think we only have her in the team because of her insta follow count and some people realise that she's actually a legitimate professional footballer who plays in the world's most competitive women's league, for a team that finished 5th and gets called up to her national team. 

Just pin this and close the thread if this is all we're going to do. When was the last post in here about how she played in the most recent game? I suspect those posts are outweighed by "this is good PR" posts 20 to 1.

I hope none of you are involved in PR if you think that is how this works. We can't sell more than 12,500 tickets for a 43,000 capacity stadium with the women's golden boot winner and someone with 45 million followers. If she's signed for PR reasons we've well and truly sh** the bed. I would wager 12,400 of the 12,500 minimum would have gone regardless of whether or not she was there. People with 1% of her following could get a room filled at a conference or a stadium several times a year. 

If there's anything to do with PR in her contract she's in breach of it because she's not doing enough to promote the team. She's doing the normal amount a football player at the club would do. 

The undertones of it all stink of "sex sells" as well, which I don't think is the way a women's football club think in 2023. Maybe West Ham but that's what you get when you make your money from porn and then hire your son to manage the "ladies" because you don't care about how that team performs.  

I'd like to think we're above that as a club and fanbase. 

[maqroll]

As someone who knows very little about any women's football, is Lehmann the best or one of the best players in England? 

[MotoMkali]

On 13/10/2023 at 16:00, skarroki said:

Rinse and repeat the same conversation over and over and over and over and over again. 

She is popular on Instagram.

There's a lot of thirsty men who know about her.

A lot of people think we only have her in the team because of her insta follow count and some people realise that she's actually a legitimate professional footballer who plays in the world's most competitive women's league, for a team that finished 5th and gets called up to her national team. 

Just pin this and close the thread if this is all we're going to do. When was the last post in here about how she played in the most recent game? I suspect those posts are outweighed by "this is good PR" posts 20 to 1.

I hope none of you are involved in PR if you think that is how this works. We can't sell more than 12,500 tickets for a 43,000 capacity stadium with the women's golden boot winner and someone with 45 million followers. If she's signed for PR reasons we've well and truly sh** the bed. I would wager 12,400 of the 12,500 minimum would have gone regardless of whether or not she was there. People with 1% of her following could get a room filled at a conference or a stadium several times a year. 

If there's anything to do with PR in her contract she's in breach of it because she's not doing enough to promote the team. She's doing the normal amount a football player at the club would do. 

The undertones of it all stink of "sex sells" as well, which I don't think is the way a women's football club think in 2023. Maybe West Ham but that's what you get when you make your money from porn and then hire your son to manage the "ladies" because you don't care about how that team performs.  

I'd like to think we're above that as a club and fanbase. 

Think it's worth pointing out that most of these followers will be people in countries like turkey were access to porn is rather limited. It's pretty common knowledge that on platforms like twitch that the top streamers in the beaches, pools and hottub category get most of their views from nations like that. 

So whilst lehmann might raise the profile of a club as a whole there will be basically no people who come to the games for her.

She is signed for her play, perhaps she received an extra year on her deal because of the other financial benefits she might bring to the club. But she is with the team for her footballing abikity

[Hornso]

21 hours ago, maqroll said:

As someone who knows very little about any women's football, is Lehmann the best or one of the best players in England? 

I don't think so, no. I'm not an expert but I think she's average to slightly above average.

We're her third club in England, following stints with Everton & West Ham.

Edited October 14, 2023 by Hornso

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

On 12/10/2023 at 15:44, Risso said:

£150 for her 2024 calendar, should anybody with more money than sense want to see a different picture of her backside on a monthly basis.

Pictures we'll probably be able to find online for free anyway. lol

[Sulberto21]

I actually think she’d be better utilised as a second striker or attacking midfielder. I’ve never actually seen her beat an opponent on the wing, but through the middle she’s got good enough balance to go in either direction.