Player Loyalty RIP?

This week has seen two separate incidents which display the dyeing trait of loyalty in football.

First in point, Fernando Torres.

Torres' transfer from Liverpool to Premiership rivals Chelsea further highlights how the modern players loyalty to a particular club only last until a better offer comes along.

Given the captain's armband at boyhood club Athletico Madrid, questions were soon raised as to why he had the phrase "I'll Never Walk Alone" scribed onto it. He answered that it was to do with the close friendship he shared with his best friends - perhaps an indication of his ability to be loyal to a cause?

However, it soon became apparent that his head had been turned. Was the message more to do with his potential suitors than his friends? After all, he did subsequently transfer to Liverpool, with whom the phrase is synonymous.

Athletico are the second club in Madrid, shadowed by their giant neighbours Real Madrid - poorer in stature, wealth, squad capabilities, and ultimately, success. So, when the chance came to jump ship, he did.

In 2007, he secured a high profile, and high value, transfer to Liverpool. A club decorated in history and glory, and at the time looking back to their old best. They had reached the previous two finals of the European Champions League, winning once, and it is perhaps because of this that Torres made the move.

Once the transfer had been finalised and the press conference had begun Torres was quick to mention that he had always been a supporter of Liverpool, and that playing for them was like a dream come true - probably as much of a dream as playing for his boyhood club?

Whilst the start to Torres' Liverpool career was rosy, particularly after finishing close runners up to Manchester United in the Premier League, for one reason or another (Rafa Benitez anyone?) the clubs fortunes began sliding until the appointment of the Scouse named "King Kenny".

However, Torres had apparently already made his mind up - he was off.

In the closing days of the January transfer window, Chelsea made an initial offer for the Spanish striker, which Liverpool rejected. But, as above, his head had been turned. No sooner had the news broke, when "El Nino" handed in a transfer request.

Subsequently, the transfer was completed for a figure reported to be around £50m - a new British record. The club that a young Torres had admired and dreamt of playing for was no longer a "top club" capable of playing at the top level and it was time for him to move on.

As previously suggested, his loyalty lasted only as long as it was good for him.

Unfortunately, Torres is not a maverick, nor a one off. In the so-called "Premiership Years" we have seen a number of such individuals follow such a path - Sol Campbell crossed the North London divide to join Arsenal from Tottenham Hotspurs, and the "Once a Blue, Always a Blue" t-shirt wearing Wayne Rooney transferred from Everton to Manchester United.

And it is a fellow Manchester United player, Gary Neville, that is second in point.

This Wednesday, Neville called time on a United career spanning nineteen years, 602 games, 7 goals and a fine collection of winners medals.

Neville began his time with United as a member of the famed academy, responsible for the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Neville's younger brother, Phil. He was promoted to first team duties in 1992, aged seventeen, and only a few seasons later had established himself as the clubs first choice right back.

His time at United saw Neville receive 85 England international caps, as well as eight Premier League winners medals, amongst others. One could almost argue that his loyalty was repaid.

As with Torres, Neville is not alone.

However, whilst it could be argued that players of Torres' ilk are on the rise, unfortunately it seems as though players with Neville's loyalty are diminishing.

Jamie Carragher at Liverpool has been a stalwart at Anfield, the aforementioned Giggs and Scholes at Manchester United have played well in excess of 1,200 games between them for the Old Trafford side, and further a field, Xavi and Andres Iniesta look forever faithful to FC Barcelona.

Perhaps it is of no coincidence that those players with the loyalty levels of the above players have all been successful in their careers and repaid with glory. Perhaps there is a message in there somewhere that the next generation of footballing talents could follow.

Let's see what happens to the the likes of Jack Wilshere, Jack Rodwell and Danny Welbeck shall we?