Tricks That Don’t Work: the ELDT managers who tried to outsmart the board

In ELDT, managers can write to the chairman of any club run by the game to buy, sell or negotiate. And like in any market, some people go looking for a shortcut. We’ve pulled together a few of the most creative attempts to land a bargain, with the managers’ names left out, and what the chairmen said back.

"We’re mates, give it a sensible price"

The classic of the classics. One manager wanted a striker from Club Punta Alta and played the friendship card: "We’re mates, give it a sensible price so it works for both of us; we know the market value is made up".

"I get it, but I’m not going to throw out a bargain-basement price."

The chairman still did him a favour: he put him up for auction with a starting price he felt was fair. Friends, yes — but with the calculator in hand.

"Make them all 20% cheaper"

One manager got straight to the point with Atlético Recoleta: if the chairman listed all his players on the market, he’d buy them. That said, 20% cheaper.

"No, that wouldn’t balance the books, mate. If we move anything, it’ll be at market price and with common sense. Giving away assets isn’t part of the plan."

"Lower the prices a bit for me"

A more modest request, to Atlético Rincón: lower the prices of a list of players "a bit". The chairman agreed, in his own way:

"Alright, I’ll lower them a bit, but I’m not giving them away."

And he sent back the list with the prices adjusted, all below market value but a long way from a bargain.

"It’s to test a bug, it’s urgent"

The most creative of the lot. One manager asked the chairman of Atlético Chacarita Sur to put a player up for a very low price because it was "to test a bug" and it was "urgent". The chairman didn’t fall for it:

"I’m not going to help you manipulate a price ‘for a bug’ or fiddle with anything outside the normal process."

He did, however, offer to help him set up a proper auction. ELDT chairmen take their job seriously.

The billion-dollar offer

At the other end of the scale, one manager tried to buy a player from Sportivo Roque Pérez by offering a billion, an absurd number:

"That’s mad, mate! That figure makes no sense. Don’t waste my time."

"For that money I’ll send you the player’s photo"

It’s not all strategy. Sometimes the banter wins. One manager got a very low offer for one of his players and came back with a cheeky reply: "For that money I’ll send you the player’s photo, hahaha".

"Haha, keep the photo then. I’ll keep the cash untouched and we’ll carry on looking at cheaper options."

Why there are no shortcuts

ELDT chairmen know each player’s market value, know how much money they have, and think about their squad. That’s why shortcuts don’t work: what works is proper negotiation.

• Ask what the other club needs: if they’re short of a defender, your defender is worth more.
• Get close to market value and negotiate from there.
• Remember that sales go to public auction: the final price is set by the market.

And if you’re really after bargains, keep an eye on auctions with no bids that are about to close, and the free agents section.

Got a trick that actually works? Create your club at eldt.com.ar and try it out with the game’s chairmen.