I agree - the logic makes no sense. Furthermore when you look at Lallana who is likely to make the squad and he's pretty much missed the majority of the season.
I would say that should they not reach the Premiership final this year (Go on Exeter!) we may see some more evidence of this playing out. Even if they can hold it together for next season it's really shit or bust next time round for them.
You probably haven't noticed but we've got better things to do like argue about Brexit and Corbyn than waste our time spying on a bunch of pretentious egg-chasers.