SPM 246: Are some players bigger than the game?

The football: Pep Guardiola suggested Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are players of such stature they can choose the club they play for. Is that true, or is it the financial reality of how few clubs can afford to both secure the top players, and keep them, that is the determining factor? The food: Lightly cured mackerel, oscietra caviar, Jersey Royal potatoes with almond milk, sardine dressing & kalamata olives; Cumbrian lamb loin, red pepper, Yorkshire black garlic, pak choi, braised shoulder ‘corn dog’; Hetton meadow sweet cheesecake, blackberries, miso caramel and shortbread, sake lees crémeux. Seriously. MERCH: www.teepublic.com - search for SPM or Set Piece Menu EMAIL: setpiecemenu@gmail.com SPMPLPL: www.tinyurl.com/setpiecemenu - now with an extended deadline of Friday 11th September!