to get the thread back to the answer on the question, or rather a reaction purely on the suggestion:
there is 1 option that always works, and will prevent you from having to stop improving.
sell the high salary player, he will fetch you much money. Use a part of this money to buy a new player, either equal in age, or younger, who is just a little less good, so asks less wage, and therefor you are able to train him (as would your other you sold would he not ask that much wage).
This way your team will perform almost as good as with the original player, and you should have some money left after this process...
When this player also becomes to expensive, repeat the process.
This option is better then stopping training.
They are not your friends; they dispise you. I am the only one you can count on. Trust me.