By etc Go To PostCoutinho is going to be the star of the world cupCoutz. Jesus. Neygod.
This is Peles world cup to lose no doubt.
By flinbad the flailer Go To PostDo you think that'll have Barça challenging for the Champions League again?
This squad just looks a Messi injury away from irrelevance. I don't think Griezmann alone will solve that.
Christ, people can be so needlessly tedious.
No one here has exact details on the transfer. It was supposedly €120m before performance-related bonuses, hence my "€120m+". Yes, it's a plus sign. It means addition is involved.
And I'm not sure what Liverpool has to do with the current discussion.
I'd swear some of you lads here have an alert set for whenever anything even tangentially related to your club is mentioned.
Did you just fucking say Liverpool.
Fuck you
By bud Go To Postthese past few days, my heart has been telling me that the board should give it to arteta.
remember, lads: it wasn't gandalf who walked into mordor.
… it was frodo.
God this was a great post.
By Oddinho Go To PostDid you just fucking say Liverpool.
Fuck you
By Facism Go To PostGod this was a great post.I <3 Bud. He's a lunatic and also possibly an idiot, but I <3 him nonetheless.
By etc Go To PostCoutinhoFirmino is going to be the star of the world cup
I'll admit it, La Liga lost a legend today.
I never mentioned this before but I really loved watching him play, so much so that I got his Spanish kit way back in 2008 (I still have it, it's a classic). There is no shame in it, even if he didn't play for my team, real recognizes real. A certain touch of finesse to his style, he was a joy to watch. Hell, I wasn't too bothered even when he scored against us, he transcended those boundaries. I'm going to miss Torres.
I never mentioned this before but I really loved watching him play, so much so that I got his Spanish kit way back in 2008 (I still have it, it's a classic). There is no shame in it, even if he didn't play for my team, real recognizes real. A certain touch of finesse to his style, he was a joy to watch. Hell, I wasn't too bothered even when he scored against us, he transcended those boundaries. I'm going to miss Torres.
By Mushroom Go To PostHe won't play enough :(
Expect he'll get one start at most, and that's if their last group game is a dead rubber
By Mushroom Go To PostI agree with this, I think he's going to explode even further more in the World Cup. He's had a crazy season to say the least and I'm sure he'll carry form into the WC.
By Elchele Go To PostGladbach signed some youngster from Tottenham: Keanan Bennetts
Gladbach tapping up all the PL youngsters
By Mushroom Go To PostInky, you watching the MX final?My grandpa had it on, so I saw parts of it.
By flinbad the flailer Go To PostI think even the Juventini would admit we were truly competitive this season, even if it didn't amount to anything in the end. It's more than can be said about all but one of our other seasons in the last few decades. And more than can be said about anyone else in Italy in the past 7 years.
Yes, this has been the hardest title since the first.
Still there is a huge gap between the Juve and Napoli. Juve were pretty awful for most of the season and never really looked convincing, but still won the league by 6 points and reached 97.
That has gone to be pretty soul destroying for Napoli. Especially after the historic start to the season.
By Frustrated_me Go To PostI agree with this, I think he's going to explode even further more in the World Cup. He's had a crazy season to say the least and I'm sure he'll carry form into the WC.I see you trying to jinx the final bruv
Can't see Ronaldo failing to score on Saturday. Have some of that.
Ronaldo will score at least one or two. It’s a matter of us being able to score more. I don’t know, I can’t see Real being stupid enough to get caught
By Frustrated_me Go To PostI'll admit it, La Liga lost a legend today.
I never mentioned this before but I really loved watching him play, so much so that I got his Spanish kit way back in 2008 (I still have it, it's a classic). There is no shame in it, even if he didn't play for my team, real recognizes real. A certain touch of finesse to his style, he was a joy to watch. Hell, I wasn't too bothered even when he scored against us, he transcended those boundaries. I'm going to miss Torres.
Haha, i approve this trolling.
By Oddinho Go To PostRonaldo will score at least one or two. It’s a matter of us being able to score more. I don’t know, I can’t see Real being stupid enough to get caughtI'm rooting for Pool, but I do feel like it's going to come down to the keepers. I don't watch much La Loliga, but I never understood the criticisms about Navas; the dude always seems exceptional whether he's playing for his club or country. So yeah, it comes down to a keeper who will be able to withstand most of what Pool can throw at him vs a very inexperienced keeper, albeit who has improved, in Karius. VDD's ability to organize and command the defense will be key, alongside Firmino's and Salah's attacking prowess. I'm actually worried about Mané letting the occasion get to his head, it seems like too often he's more concerned about himself than about winning the game through teamwork.
By Mushroom Go To PostI'm rooting for Pool, but I do feel like it's going to come down to the keepers. I don't watch much La Loliga, but I never understood the criticisms about Navas; the dude always seems exceptional whether he's playing for his club or country. So yeah, it comes down to a keeper who will be able to withstand most of what Pool can throw at him vs a very inexperienced keeper, albeit who has improved, in Karius. VDD's ability to organize and command the defense will be key, alongside Firmino's and Salah's attacking prowess. I'm actually worried about Mané letting the occasion getting to his head, it seems like too often he more concerned about himself than about actually winning the game through teamwork.
Seriously Mané has been so aggravating to watch the past few months, mostly because of how unpredictable he is. He’ll have games where he just makes the wrong decision in seemingly every situation, shooting when he should be passing and passing when he should be shooting. If he just turned off his brain and ran on instinct I feel like he’d instantly be better for it.
He’s a key part of the team, a great player who I want to stay for seasons to come, but boy does he have a shocker in him from time to time.
You can't help but get the impression the Arsenal board have no idea what they're doing with this replacement thing.
If Mane does one of his patented 'go for the shot when he can see a teammate has an open goal with a simple pass' moves and fucks it up I'll want him gone
On the bright side, while his decision making is still pretty dodgy, he's hit a level of sharpness that wasn't there before March or so. Can't afford to be seeing chances to make chances go to waste through poor touches and needless offsides
Probably our best player to watch when he's on it imo
On the bright side, while his decision making is still pretty dodgy, he's hit a level of sharpness that wasn't there before March or so. Can't afford to be seeing chances to make chances go to waste through poor touches and needless offsides
Probably our best player to watch when he's on it imo
By Francis Go To PostHarry Wilson to Rangers on loan from Liverpool.please buy Markovic, Stevie
It begins.
Bit disappointed we've sent Wilson to the SPL
Maybe we're thinking more about the experience of playing under intense scrutiny and pressure than his tactical development
I'm sure Hull would have been delighted to have him for another while
Maybe we're thinking more about the experience of playing under intense scrutiny and pressure than his tactical development
I'm sure Hull would have been delighted to have him for another while
By Meus Renaissance Go To PostYou can't help but get the impression the Arsenal board have no idea what they're doing with this replacement thing.To no one's surprise. The coaches at the level of Allegri and Simeone are not going to leave their clubs only to join Arsenal's tight budget constraints. I honestly would be happy with a coach at the level of Jardim (who I still think would be a great fit) or Sarri, Patrick Vieiria would be a good fit given his actual experience and I believe have the ability to really steady the boat given him legendary status at the club... Honestly Arteta is scrapping the bottom of the barrel, I don't care how much he improved Sterling, he just doesn't have what it takes to bring Arsenal back to that top 4 level.
By Punished Go To PostWhat is this?
By etc Go To PostBit disappointed we've sent Wilson to the SPLJust saw that he scored 7 in 13 for Hull. That's Vinicius stats. Im sure we can get some dollars for him.
Maybe we're thinking more about the experience of playing under intense scrutiny and pressure than his tactical development
I'm sure Hull would have been delighted to have him for another while
By BigBoss Go To PostIniesta all by himself at 1:00 AM.Would have called security
By Splatt Go To PostA bit late, but why did De Vrij start and play against Inter just lmao at Lazio and their coachThe idealist in me says it shouldn't be a problem, a professional will play to his best in any given match.
Really though, it would only have been bad for him if Inter hadn't won. Even if he meant to play as well as he can, there's no way that doesn't play on your mind, at least in preparation for the match. Has a situation like that happened since Gotze vs Bayern?
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostYes, this has been the hardest title since the first.* 4 points and 95
Still there is a huge gap between the Juve and Napoli. Juve were pretty awful for most of the season and never really looked convincing, but still won the league by 6 points and reached 97.
That has gone to be pretty soul destroying for Napoli. Especially after the historic start to the season.
But, no, seriously, I don't think any of it is soul-destroying for Napolisti. I think most are in accord with me: the season went about as we expected. I can dredge up my old prediction before the season started, but it accurately captured what happened: months of wonderful football eventually undermined by exhaustion at the end.
We all know Juve has depth. Everywhere. And Napoli just can't compete with that. Combine the depth with the historically uncompetitive league, where nearly half of them should be relegated, and it meant the Juve B squad could trot out on the pitch and secure 3 points against most of these clubs.
Napoli has a fantastic starting 11. We even have some midfield depth. But beyond that lies the cliff. Sarri was pretty clear about what that has meant for our season: in a challenge to the people that chastise him for not rotating, he remarks that having done so wouldn't have guaranteed us more than 91 points, but almost certainly less. Inject in Chiriches and Sepe and Giacherini and Rog, and suddenly it's a struggle to not lose to the Bolognas and Udineses and Cagliaris of the world.
If Napolisti are bitter about anything right now, their target is almost certainly Aurelio De Laurentiis. His unwillingness to invest. His autocratic control. His bombastic temperament. All of this has hamstrung the club. There's no fucking excuse for not securing adequate reinforcement in January when the squad just needs that extra boost to finish out the season. Never mind who we, and Sarri it seems, wanted; ADL couldn't even secure Politano or Verdi. Then deflects the blame by going after our manager.
ADL deserves a lot of credit for having rebuilt this club following our financial implosion, but this season made clear that he's incapable of making it any bigger than it is now and has been for years. That's why Sarri's leaving: he knows he'll never win anything here, because ADL will never give him the tools to do so.
By etc Go To PostThe idealist in me says it shouldn't be a problem, a professional will play to his best in any given match.
Really though, it would only have been bad for him if Inter hadn't won. Even if he meant to play as well as he can, there's no way that doesn't play on your mind, at least in preparation for the match. Has a situation like that happened since Gotze vs Bayern?
Man I dunno... you'd expect him to be professional but as a coach I just wouldn't risk it.
By flinbad the flailer Go To Post* 4 points and 95
But, no, seriously, I don't think any of it is soul-destroying for Napolisti. I think most are in accord with me: the season went about as we expected. I can dredge up my old prediction before the season started, but it accurately captured what happened: months of wonderful football eventually undermined by exhaustion at the end.
We all know Juve has depth. Everywhere. And Napoli just can't compete with that. Combine the depth with the historically uncompetitive league, where nearly half of them should be relegated, and it meant the Juve B squad could trot out on the pitch and secure 3 points against most of these clubs.
Napoli has a fantastic starting 11. We even have some midfield depth. But beyond that lies the cliff. Sarri was pretty clear about what that has meant for our season: in a challenge to the people that chastise him for not rotating, he remarks that having done so wouldn't have guaranteed us more than 91 points, but almost certainly less. Inject in Chiriches and Sepe and Giacherini and Rog, and suddenly it's a struggle to not lose to the Bolognas and Udineses and Cagliaris of the world.
If Napolisti are bitter about anything right now, their target is almost certainly Aurelio De Laurentiis. His unwillingness to invest. His autocratic control. His bombastic temperament. All of this has hamstrung the club. There's no fucking excuse for not securing adequate reinforcement in January when the squad just needs that extra boost to finish out the season. Never mind who we, and Sarri it seems, wanted; ADL couldn't even secure Politano or Verdi. Then deflects the blame by going after our manager.
ADL deserves a lot of credit for having rebuilt this club following our financial implosion, but this season made clear that he's incapable of making it any bigger than it is now and has been for years. That's why Sarri's leaving: he knows he'll never win anything here, because ADL will never give him the tools to do so.
Ah, I thought it was 97.
Good points about ADL.
Absolutely shocking that he couldn’t secure those transfers. Verdi is still coming right?
If Sarri is too leave, who would you like to replace him? I think Inzaghi would continue to do wonders with that squad.
I also think it is unfair from Sarri to say he wouldn’t have got 91 points if he rotated. If you don’t have any faith in your players then you will never get anything from them.
Napoli should do everything they can to take Perin away from Genoa. If Juve sign him then that is potentially the keeper for the next ten years locked up.
Would United fans be OK with us signing Martial if they got Toby? Seems like the ideal situation for both parties.
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostAh, I thought it was 97.I don't think we have any transfers sorted, nor do I think any of them will be easy or straightforward.
Good points about ADL.
Absolutely shocking that he couldn’t secure those transfers. Verdi is still coming right?
If Sarri is too leave, who would you like to replace him? I think Inzaghi would continue to do wonders with that squad.
Inglese will probably arrive back from loan to provide striker depth. He would've been an obvious addition in January since he's already one of our players! But whatever. A keeper should be coming soon, too, since it has been obvious for months that Reina is gone and Sepe is inadequate. But I don't know that anything short of Rui Patricio annulling his Sporting contract will actually get that accomplished in a reasonable amount of time - and, even then, I expect delays.
Everything else will depend on who leaves. Jorginho? Mertens? Callejon? Koulibaly? Albiol? Ghoulam? All these rumors swirling around Hamsik now, too. And all of this in addition to how shallow our squad already is.
For the manager, I agree that Inzaghi is probably the best replacement, though Giampaolo could be another good option. I'd accept Gasperini. Conte would also be interesting but impossible. I don't want Ancelotti, especially if the squad is so thoroughly renovated. I'd
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostNapoli should do everything they can to take Perin away from Genoa. If Juve sign him then that is potentially the keeper for the next ten years locked up.We always wanted him up until his injury. Our interest in Perin now seems to be well behind our interest in Leno and Patricio.
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostI also think it is unfair from Sarri to say he wouldn’t have got 91 points if he rotated. If you don’t have any faith in your players then you will never get anything from them.It's an impossible situation of counterfactuals. Ultimately, I think it comes down to who you trust: ADL, who makes cheap purchases and expects them to be metamorphosed into enormous sales, or Sarri, who dreamt up and implemented this complex, mesmerizing system.
Someone like Mario Rui has proven that he deserved more time, but others like Chiriches and Tonelli and Rog have never been convincing. Ounas? Who knows.
By Ushojax Go To PostWould United fans be OK with us signing Martial if they got Toby? Seems like the ideal situation for both parties.Fuck that. Toby is twice the player that Martial is, he shouldn't be sold within the league at any fucking cost. Imagine the step up in quality when you're able to replace Phil Jones with Toby Alderweireld. He'd even make Like Mike look solid again.
Martial on the other is an extremely exciting player, but suffers from softladitis.
Sell Toby to Paris, but Martial from United. Fuck Mourinho.
Do it you bald prick
By sohois Go To PostAre Juventus not signing Donnarumma anymore?
Well Milan signed Reina, so the specilation is that Milan would be willing to listen to offers.
I don’t think Juve see value in paying a world record aum for a keeper who has Mino as his agent, and also has a bit of a weak mentality.
I would like Perin at Juve. He is arguably a better keeper now than Donna, but I am not sure what the Wojo situation is. Perin will want to be a starter because he is fighting for the Italian #1 spot, but Juve signed Wojo with the condition he would have to most likely wait a year to take over the top job. Seems unfair to do him over like that.
By Laboured Go To PostHere we go.
£55m would be fantastic, for that money we should do it straight away. If that money is really on the table then take it and start spending. There’s no time to waste, we would get less than that from PSG anyway and Toby is not going to fix their problems.
By Ushojax Go To Post£55m would be fantastic, for that money we should do it straight away. If that money is really on the table then take it and start spending. There’s no time to waste, we would get less than that from PSG anyway and Toby is not going to fix their problems.I'd take a £10m hit to not see his face in the league
By JesalR Go To PostI'd take a £10m hit to not see his face in the league
I’d rather we get it done right now and start doing our own business. I have no ill will towards Toby, he was a good player and if we get £55m then let him go to United. He will get injured again anyway.
By sohois Go To PostAre Juventus not signing Donnarumma anymore?They never were.
Don't know where Donnarumma will go though, what with Buffon being available as well.