Can players be blamed for chasing money?

Could Didier Drogba follow teammate Nicolas Anelka and join Shanghai Shenhua from Premier League challengers Chelsea?

Asamoah Gyan earlier this season left Sunderland to play for Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates on loan, while in Russia, Anzhi Makhachkala have already snapped up stars like Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos.



These three sides are not traditional powerhouses of world football, nor do they have any rich history – Anzhi’s only previous appearance in Europe saw Rangers knock them out in the first round of the UEFA Cup.



But the players they are attracting have won World Cups, Champions Leagues, league titles.



A lot of callers to 606 and a lot of you on our Facebook and Twitter have criticised players for joining these sides – but can you blame them?



The likes of Roberto Carlos are coming towards the end of their careers and a big pay cheque is certainly one way to bow out.

But on the other hand, even though Anelka and Eto’o may be the wrong side of 30, they could certainly still do a job at the very top teams.



David Beckham was criticised for joining LA Galaxy initially, and it is all well and good to call these players ‘mercenaries’ or ‘selfish’ – but wouldn’t most people jump ship in their everyday jobs if the money was better?



Should footballers put wanting to play football at the highest level above monetary rewards?