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The Soccer thread
- Thread starter goldemblem
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In regards to Old Trafford being filled every week, it's really no surprise. When we say that most Manchester United fans are not from Manchester and have no link to the club, we are telling the truth, but due to the HUGE number of United fans, the actual percent from Manchester looks rather small, however this is still more than enough to fill Old Trafford with Away team supporters on top of it :P
I support City by the way ;)
I support City by the way ;)
You'd think so, but Manchester City can't even sell out their 48k stadium (unless its the derby lol) on a regular basis.
Surely City's expensive owners and their stature and wealth will have lured in thousands of glory hunters to Eastlands for extra support. When success is on the horizon, you'll see an influx of Robinho and Barry (lol) shirts in london and in countries all around the globe.
On other news I cannot believe that Kaka has signed for Real Madrid. All of this protesting from the Milan fans, wheeping from Kaka himself, insisting that he would love to continue playing for AC Milan, dedicating his faith and footballing talent to them; it was all for nothing. Kaka's "faith" and passionate commitmant to AC Milan was not to be seen in this particular transfer saga, as Kaka, AC Milan and Real Madrid all agreed with the terms and conditions of the transfer deal; it all seemed too easy given the fact there was little resilience in Kaka or Milan. I seem to recall one, mere report where Kaka insisted he would like to stay with Milan; that was it.
Apparently Kaka and AC Milan executives met with one another and concluded that for Milan's financial stature in the current economic climate to be maintained at sufficient levels, Kaka must be sold. This is almost confirmed; however, what about when City offered 100million euros? Surely that would have benefited AC Milan more than ever, given that they could've easily strengthened their squad with the majority of that money and support their balance.
I hate Real Madrid. They can admire Ronaldo all they want; they won't get him this summer.
Come next season when Madrid have acquired a hefty amount of ridiculously expensive players (Kaka, Villa and whoever), Xavi and Iniesta of Barcelona, will dominate their "Galacticos" regardless.
On other news I cannot believe that Kaka has signed for Real Madrid. All of this protesting from the Milan fans, wheeping from Kaka himself, insisting that he would love to continue playing for AC Milan, dedicating his faith and footballing talent to them; it was all for nothing. Kaka's "faith" and passionate commitmant to AC Milan was not to be seen in this particular transfer saga, as Kaka, AC Milan and Real Madrid all agreed with the terms and conditions of the transfer deal; it all seemed too easy given the fact there was little resilience in Kaka or Milan. I seem to recall one, mere report where Kaka insisted he would like to stay with Milan; that was it.
Apparently Kaka and AC Milan executives met with one another and concluded that for Milan's financial stature in the current economic climate to be maintained at sufficient levels, Kaka must be sold. This is almost confirmed; however, what about when City offered 100million euros? Surely that would have benefited AC Milan more than ever, given that they could've easily strengthened their squad with the majority of that money and support their balance.
I hate Real Madrid. They can admire Ronaldo all they want; they won't get him this summer.
Come next season when Madrid have acquired a hefty amount of ridiculously expensive players (Kaka, Villa and whoever), Xavi and Iniesta of Barcelona, will dominate their "Galacticos" regardless.
You're a fucking disgrace to Liverpool fans, that was totally uncalled for. I'm really worried for Serie A right now, they're arguably the worst league between the Premier League and La Liga, and they just lost one of the best player in the world. I like italian football alot, I hope they can bounce back from this.
Its a shame, but world class centrebacks are at a premium right now. I think Bruno Alves would be a good choice for them though.
Sergio Ramos is a world class defender and centre back is his natural position. If they manage to purchase Maicon (whose agent claims to be available if the right deal comes along) from Inter Milan, then Ramos can shift down to the middle. They will then have two class players within their back four; only half way there!
I also feel for Italian football. Reviewers predict German football will soon surpass Serie A, and that means four places in the Champions League. But considering Diego's transfer to Juventus, one of their monumental superstars just left their league for an Italian league that is supposedly in decline; Ribery is also linked with a move out of the Bundesliga as well.
I also feel for Italian football. Reviewers predict German football will soon surpass Serie A, and that means four places in the Champions League. But considering Diego's transfer to Juventus, one of their monumental superstars just left their league for an Italian league that is supposedly in decline; Ribery is also linked with a move out of the Bundesliga as well.
It's going to be a crazy summer no doubt. How the fuck has Madrid in £300m debt has got the money rumoured in the press? Something fishy has to be going on here, no bloody way they'd get a loan in these times for a huge amount like that.
Ramos is a good defender no doubt but they he's too similar to Pepe if you play them at CB, so they'd need someone like Chiellieni (dare I say Vidic lol) who's aggressive and a proper left back too.
For the price they got Kaka they should really have bought a couple of world class defenders and then look to get a proper striker.
Ramos is a good defender no doubt but they he's too similar to Pepe if you play them at CB, so they'd need someone like Chiellieni (dare I say Vidic lol) who's aggressive and a proper left back too.
For the price they got Kaka they should really have bought a couple of world class defenders and then look to get a proper striker.
Real Madrid actually have a very good team if you think about it so I dont understand why they've been under-performing so much, and although their defence is a weak link, its not that bad. Still I hope this Summer doesn't just turn into a massive spending spree for Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man City.
I think Madrid will be looking for some defenders, but other than that I don't think Chelsea or Man City will be looking to change much. Chelsea has at least another good year in them making little or no changes as it is, and man city pretty much stopped with wright-philips and robinho lol
Real Madrid don't have a bad team, but last season they weren't top contenders for the ECL and soon became second favourites to Barcelona too. Now, they feel they need to compete with Barcelona's attacking threat, and therefore link themselves with the Kakas, Riberys and Ronaldos of the world in order to do so.
But I have said this so many times: Xavi and Iniesta are better than world class and I know Barcelona fans who would take one of these two before even Lionel Messi, and these two have established themselves as the world's most creative, technical and defence-splitting duo of this day and age.
Admittedly Chelsea tactically outplayed Barcelona with 10 men behind the ball, and how Barcelona were extremely lucky to advance to the final, but that just goes to show you how Hiddink was prepared to format such a defensive tactic with Barcelona (Iniesta and Xavi in particular) in mind. And in the end, Barcelona were in fact victorious.
And to add ammunition to the Messi and Ronaldo saga: they say Messi has since surpassed Ronaldo as the best football player in the world. However, Messi has Xavi and Iniesta there for the innovative passes and silky movement; Ronaldo has Carrick and Scholes, the latter of which has undoubtably put his best days behind him.
Imagine Ronaldo on the right for Barcelona in La Liga (a league known to be defensively inferior to the Premier League); I certainly can, and it involves Ronaldo convincingly hitting the 30-a-season goal tally.
But I have said this so many times: Xavi and Iniesta are better than world class and I know Barcelona fans who would take one of these two before even Lionel Messi, and these two have established themselves as the world's most creative, technical and defence-splitting duo of this day and age.
Admittedly Chelsea tactically outplayed Barcelona with 10 men behind the ball, and how Barcelona were extremely lucky to advance to the final, but that just goes to show you how Hiddink was prepared to format such a defensive tactic with Barcelona (Iniesta and Xavi in particular) in mind. And in the end, Barcelona were in fact victorious.
And to add ammunition to the Messi and Ronaldo saga: they say Messi has since surpassed Ronaldo as the best football player in the world. However, Messi has Xavi and Iniesta there for the innovative passes and silky movement; Ronaldo has Carrick and Scholes, the latter of which has undoubtably put his best days behind him.
Imagine Ronaldo on the right for Barcelona in La Liga (a league known to be defensively inferior to the Premier League); I certainly can, and it involves Ronaldo convincingly hitting the 30-a-season goal tally.
Real Madrid don't have a bad team but their squad is not that good too, they lack a world class players in the defence (Heinze is a joking) and attack (Nilsteory, Raul, Higuain and Huntelaar are good but not that good) not to mention they don't have any good offensive winger (besides Robeen who spend at last half of the season in the medical department). Kaka was a good purchase and imo he's the third better player in the world right now (behind Xavi and Gerrard), if fully fit but the truth is: Real Madrid needed other kinda of player, I know Kaka is miles better than VDV or Sneidjer but they could use this money to improve other areas of the pitch.
And a totally agree with Taylor on the Xavi andIniesta subject. They are the best midfield duo in the world, and by far. No other team have two creative, technical and intelligent players in the middle of the park like Xavi and Iniesta. The chances they make for the foward line are priceless and Xavi was the player with more assistance in La Liga and CL with a not so clinical Eto'o playing in front of him.
And yeah, Itallian soccer is decadent, and now they lost Kaka. If Ibra go anywhere away from Inter this summer Calcio will be as boring as the French league this year.
And a totally agree with Taylor on the Xavi andIniesta subject. They are the best midfield duo in the world, and by far. No other team have two creative, technical and intelligent players in the middle of the park like Xavi and Iniesta. The chances they make for the foward line are priceless and Xavi was the player with more assistance in La Liga and CL with a not so clinical Eto'o playing in front of him.
And yeah, Itallian soccer is decadent, and now they lost Kaka. If Ibra go anywhere away from Inter this summer Calcio will be as boring as the French league this year.
Pepe reminds me of a younger Ferdinand, as in he can get stuck in when need be but often doesn't and has lapses in concentration. This is what I observed in the Euros last year, though.
Anyone watching the England-Andorra game right now? I'd be impressed, if it weren't for the fact that Andorra has a population of under 100,000. To put that in perspective, London's population is estimated at around 10,000,000 (depending on your source).
That said, I do think England are playing well, I am particularly impressed by Johnson, Walcott and Rooney. I am a little confused by the absence of Joe Cole, considering his 2 goals against Andorra in the last qualifier (which ended 2-0)?
That said, I do think England are playing well, I am particularly impressed by Johnson, Walcott and Rooney. I am a little confused by the absence of Joe Cole, considering his 2 goals against Andorra in the last qualifier (which ended 2-0)?
I was watching it but it was so one-sided I just got bored, and although England seem to be playing well, they are playing Andorra so its a bit hard to say how well they are playing. Also, can Beckham just go away, yes he's done some good for the team but he's old now and isn't playing well and is just picking up unworthy caps, he doesnt deserve to be placed among the players with these many caps.
Ronaldo off to Madrid
80mil is good money, and is reportedly going straight back into the transfer fund. I know there's quite a lot of Man Utd. fans here, your thoughts and now targets?
80mil is good money, and is reportedly going straight back into the transfer fund. I know there's quite a lot of Man Utd. fans here, your thoughts and now targets?
I was shocked tbh, I thought he'd leave at the end of the season when SAF did. Great player though and he's been instrumental these past 3 seasons, can't really begrudge him leaving when he's probably done all he's can here. At least we've got good money for him and I don't think it will be too hard to replace him; Rooney will become the main man and he will thrive on it. Hopefully we'll get Ribery and perhaps keep Tevez, not keen on Valencia (we will now get raped with any transfer fees). I'm kinda looking forward to how me proceed now. It was kind of inevitable but I'm actually shocked the bullshit in the Spanish papers was true.
Find another english player how can ping a ball 50-60 yards right onto a players toe and can deliver from dead balls consistantly, then you can replace Beckham.
Beckham is probably still better than all of England's right midfield options anyway. Walcott is inconsistant and rarely has a decent end product. Ashley Young has no end product at all, just like Aaron Lennon.
Can't wait for the new season. A new set of Real Madrid 'galacticos' that completely fail to deliver, along with Arsenal buying more youngsters and sitting them on the bench for a season.
I'm happy he's left Man U, hopefully they'll fall apart although with £80M to spend I highly doubt it. Real Madrid are going mad first Kaka then Ronaldo and now looking at Ribery who will cost £65M for some reason and also apparently looking at Silva, Villa and others.
0mastar Beckham is ridiculously slow and for a right midfielder that isn't something you want, no point having him just for free kicks when Lampard and others are good anyway. I really hope Wenger will start buying more though as i'm sick of him not spending and then selling the players once they get to 25 or so.
0mastar Beckham is ridiculously slow and for a right midfielder that isn't something you want, no point having him just for free kicks when Lampard and others are good anyway. I really hope Wenger will start buying more though as i'm sick of him not spending and then selling the players once they get to 25 or so.
A bit gutted he's gone, no matter who we buy, our play style won't be the same and he's a huge loss, no matter how much we got for him. However, I'm expecting us to get probably three from Valencia, Ribery, Benzema and Tévez. As well as this, we probably need another central midfielder of high quality, which we can probably get the money for through other means (the Ronaldo transfer fee should cover the other three I expect us to sign).
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