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2018 - 2019 Football Thread - Page 218

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https://tl.net/forum/sports/549587-2019-2020-football-thread
Espers
Profile Joined August 2009
United Kingdom606 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 11:37:51
May 08 2019 11:32 GMT
#4341
On May 08 2019 20:19 sharkie wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 08 2019 20:18 Espers wrote:
On May 08 2019 20:12 sharkie wrote:
On May 08 2019 20:04 Espers wrote:
it's not a question of mentality but ability, the team just isn't very good bar Messi, Ter Stegen and a couple others.

the midfield is really a joke and can barely string a few passes together vs any team that comes at them.


No. If all those Barca players would perform at their best they would destroy everyone. They just dont have the incentive to perform their best. Coutinho at Liverpool, Dembele at BVB were world class at the time of their signings. They are not bad players. Raktitic same, on his best day he is a midfield dominator. He schooled spain midfield when Spain midfield was the world's best (Euro 2012?)


Coutinho has no position at Barca, Dembele is injured so often and struggled to adapt. Rakitic is old and more of a workhorse, always struggled with his technique at Barcelona.

They're struggling because it's an overrated squad with no discernible style.


but its not lack of ability


It is, it's not like they're not trying or anything.
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria18573 Posts
May 08 2019 11:32 GMT
#4342
Does Barca give his coaches time to do that though? If Barca spent a whole season rebuilding and winning nothing - would that coach stay for another season?
WillyWanker
Profile Joined December 2011
France1915 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 11:41:49
May 08 2019 11:39 GMT
#4343
On May 08 2019 20:32 sharkie wrote:
Does Barca give his coaches time to do that though? If Barca spent a whole season rebuilding and winning nothing - would that coach stay for another season?

They never had to rebuild though, they didn't crash like Real this season (I mean, until last night). They should have replaced 2-3 starters every season smoothly. Arthur, Dembélé, Malcom, Lenglet, and Semedo all have the level for Barça and could have ended the season as starters if they had been given a chance. Only Lenglet succeeded, only because Umtiti was injured. Arthur was on the same way but Valverde doesn't like to keep the ball and prefers to have useless Rakitic instead.

To his defense, I think Messi and his "friends" have far too much power in the club after winning so much. The direction needs to step up, bring a coach that will impose his will (doesn't need to be a tyrant either) and support him against the players. Selling some of them would help too (Rakitic, Suarez maybe).
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria18573 Posts
May 08 2019 11:44 GMT
#4344
On May 08 2019 20:39 WillyWanker wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 08 2019 20:32 sharkie wrote:
Does Barca give his coaches time to do that though? If Barca spent a whole season rebuilding and winning nothing - would that coach stay for another season?

They never had to rebuild though, they didn't crash like Real this season (I mean, until last night). They should have replaced 2-3 starters every season smoothly. Arthur, Dembélé, Malcom, Lenglet, and Semedo all have the level for Barça and could have ended the season as starters if they had been given a chance. Only Lenglet succeeded, only because Umtiti was injured. Arthur was on the same way but Valverde doesn't like to keep the ball and prefers to have useless Rakitic instead.

To his defense, I think Messi and his "friends" have far too much power in the club after winning so much. The direction needs to step up, bring a coach that will impose his will (doesn't need to be a tyrant either) and support him against the players. Selling some of them would help too (Rakitic, Suarez maybe).


You think Messi would allow the sales of Suarez and Rakitic? Or the Barca board going against MessI?
WillyWanker
Profile Joined December 2011
France1915 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 11:50:48
May 08 2019 11:48 GMT
#4345
Rakitic wanted a new contract and apparently some Italian teams are after him, so I think he could go without causing trouble. Suarez though... he's Messi's best buddy so I don't think they can push him out. I don't think they absolutely need to though. Like I said, they could transition him to be a starter only for big games or to be a super sub to unlock some games. Piqué is another one with far too much power. He's had a great season but he can't do shit like he did with Griezmann (producing the video where he basically flips the finger at Barça), or tell the media how the club should be run. I wouldn't sell him (don't think they can anyway), but again, bench and teach young players.

Last one in the "clan" would be Alba, but he's still amazing (bar yesterday) and doesn't seem to have a big mouth.

I'm Messi #1 fanboy, but he's a player and should only play football, not manage the club. If he starts putting pressure on the club for transfer decisions, sell him. No one should be above the institution, as hard as that might sound for a player like him. That's one reason I really like Pep, he would bench/sell anyone for the good of the team. Pretty sure Klopp understands football the same, and it's no surprise these 2 are at the top right now.
Pandemona *
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
May 08 2019 12:00 GMT
#4346
In funnier news, FIFA finally came back to Chelsea after the appeal the sped up. Told us they are "upholding" the ban, so we cannot buy players for 2 years. This is normal and now Chelsea can go to CAS to appeal and be fine to sign players over the summer this year.

However funny thing happened, in FIFA's statement they said "You are banned from signing players for 2 transfer windows, but you can sign players under the age of 16

So basically the reason we are in this mess is for signings of players under 18, so FIFA have said you are banned but can sign 16 year olds still?? What lol xD
ModeratorTeam Liquid Football Thread Guru! - Chelsea FC ♥
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria18573 Posts
May 08 2019 12:03 GMT
#4347
so chelsea going to splash money too this summer?

ManUtd
Real
Barca
Chelsea

Who else? :D
Pandemona *
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 12:08:42
May 08 2019 12:06 GMT
#4348
Well Man City confirmed with signing Bruno Fernandes and want Joao Felix who has a buyout clause of €105 million in which Benfica president said few months ago, he is done letting the talent go for cheap that is why they all have stupidly high buyout clauses now. So City will have to pay that money for him.

Scouse need to improve their options upfront still. Sturrifge will go, Shaqiri is a waste, they need cover for Firminho unless Origi is more than just that game last night which he hasn't shown at all prior. So they might sign some cover players.

Spurs have a £100 million transfer budget this summer so thats a couple of players for them. Arsenal will have similar money too.

Juventus will be swapping some players around but they will rob Yanited for Dybala anyway. Inter and Milan will try to splash the cash but don't think they have enough.

Similarly PSG probably will be the least active in terms of big transfer anyway.
ModeratorTeam Liquid Football Thread Guru! - Chelsea FC ♥
evilfatsh1t
Profile Joined October 2010
Australia8794 Posts
May 08 2019 12:10 GMT
#4349
bayern, maybe juventus might be in for some people? arsenal also need a few.
like i said, there are HEAPS of big teams at the moment that are in desperate need of high performers and the current playerbase doesnt have the talent to provide, regardless of whether the players are on sale or not.
WillyWanker
Profile Joined December 2011
France1915 Posts
May 08 2019 12:17 GMT
#4350
Well there's at least 11 players and a coach to take from Ajax xD
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria18573 Posts
May 08 2019 12:21 GMT
#4351
Arsenal wont splash, especially when they win the Europa League, cant imagine Spurs spending big on someone either, they will buy many smaller ones prolly. I dont think Liverpool will spend that much either.

ManUtd
Real
Barca
Chelsea
ManCity
Bayern

So those 6 will definitely spend big and apart from ManCity all of them really need players urgently too. Do you guys really expect all of them to go big? Or do you think there is more hype towards transfer summer than what will actually happen?
sneirac
Profile Joined July 2012
Germany3464 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 12:31:04
May 08 2019 12:29 GMT
#4352
Spurs - might have to do something depending on how tonight goes and who leaves
Juventus - defense?
PSG - who the fuck knows

Roma/inter/ac had rumours of being sold and investing

edit; regarding hype, theres been so much hype all season that no matter what happens it will still feel like it should have been more I think
possession wins games, kante is washed up and shit - pande
Faruko
Profile Joined April 2013
Chile34173 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 18:06:39
May 08 2019 12:45 GMT
#4353
I still think Arthur is a bit too "green", but he is really young and has shown a lot of promise, he should definitely be playing

Arthur/Vidal/Busquest it's probably the best midfield for Barcelona right now, and that's preeeetty good tbh, not sure why playing Rakitic tbh, even if, like i said, Arthur is a bit too green for my taste, he has been playing better than Rakitic.

Well if Arthur develops enough, I don't think Barcelona problems are in the middle, sure you should start looking for rotations for long season (De Jong/Vidal/Busquests rotation) so they could look for a new attacking midfielder for when Arthur is not on point or need rest

And they definitely need someone on the right and a striker
Ross was right // "Jesus Christ nahaz is doing shots before my eyes" (Sn0_Man, 2018)
funkie
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Venezuela9376 Posts
May 08 2019 14:08 GMT
#4354
On May 08 2019 21:45 Faruko wrote:
I still think Arthur is a bit too "green", but he is really young and has shown a lot of promise, he should definitely be playing

Arthur/Vidal/Busquest it's probably the best midfield for Barcelona right now, and that's preeeetty good tbh, not sure why playing Rakitic tbh, even if, like i said, Arthur is a bit too green for my taste, he has been playing better than Rakitic.

Well if Arthur develops enough, I don't think Barcelona problemas are in the middle, sure you should start looking for rotations for long seasong (De Jong/Vidal/Busquests rotation) so they could look for a new attacking midfielder for when Arthur is not on point or need rest

And they definitely need someone on the right and a striker



Our biggest problem at this point is Rakitic and mental game.

The obvious collapse of the team after the second goal was so evident. Then the corner kick play and that was game, set and match.

Seriously, subbing Rakitic out after the game was over was a pretty stupid move and one that should definitely cost you the position of head coach. Also, Alba, holy fuck. You already lost a ball it lead to the first goal. How dare you play so recklessly that you lose another ball like that?

With all feelings aside, there needs to be some rebuilding on the team ASAP.
CJ Entusman #6! · Strength is the basis of athletic ability. -Rippetoe /* http://j.mp/TL-App <- TL iPhone App 2.0! */
Bacillus
Profile Joined August 2010
Finland2015 Posts
May 08 2019 14:39 GMT
#4355
I think in some ways Barca, Bayern and Juventus might be having surprisingly quiet windows because they're still winning their respective domestic leagues and maybe aren't in such a big hurry as Real, ManU and Chelsea. I don't know if holding back is a smart move, but it seems to be how many clubs are responding to the current market.

For me, one of the most interesting things is what kind of follow ups these big transfers have. At least Ajax is going to have probably some 200+ million from UCL and transfers and they're looking to spend it somehow sooner or later. Chelsea's business is going to be super interesting too with the upcoming transfer ban, Abramovich situtation and potential Hazard transfer money. It feels like the next window is going to give some kind of a long term direction for the club.

I think City has hit some FFP limitations. As far as I've understood, they're trying to negotiate the some of the Portuguese transfers as some kind of player exchange to bring down the actual money involved. I assume they've got some kind of Fernandinho replacement/backup in their mind too, maybe that'll be all for them.

I think PSG may be looking for a high profile keeper. Buffon's contract ends this summer, but has some kind of clause for potential extra year.
Liquid`Drone
Profile Joined September 2002
Norway28738 Posts
May 08 2019 14:45 GMT
#4356
I'm guessing Real is the most desperate club, probably followed by united. Result wise Barcelona is coming off a very good season - prolly a domestic double, league very comfortably so, and losing 3-4 in the champions league semi final, quite possibly against the winner. Of course I understand that the performance hasn't been good enough to sate a pretty spoiled group of supporters, but there's a big difference between how big a failure barcelona has been compared to real madrid and manchester united.
Moderator
{CC}StealthBlue
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States41117 Posts
May 08 2019 15:55 GMT
#4357
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules."
clusen
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany8702 Posts
May 08 2019 16:02 GMT
#4358
On May 08 2019 23:39 Bacillus wrote:
For me, one of the most interesting things is what kind of follow ups these big transfers have. At least Ajax is going to have probably some 200+ million from UCL and transfers and they're looking to spend it somehow sooner or later.

The stadium they are playing in isn't completely theirs, right? They could try to buy it/part of it for that kind of money, which would be a smart investment.
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7046 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-05-08 16:12:09
May 08 2019 16:11 GMT
#4359
On May 09 2019 00:55 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:
https://twitter.com/Simon_Hughes__/status/1126082914503004162


If that is true, that guy is a genius. Bit in general I would say if you're behind 0:3 you tell your ballboys to hurry up. Well at least until the 4:0. Then ballboys can't suddenly find the ball anymore ^^
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Bacillus
Profile Joined August 2010
Finland2015 Posts
May 08 2019 16:18 GMT
#4360
On May 09 2019 01:02 clusen wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 08 2019 23:39 Bacillus wrote:
For me, one of the most interesting things is what kind of follow ups these big transfers have. At least Ajax is going to have probably some 200+ million from UCL and transfers and they're looking to spend it somehow sooner or later.

The stadium they are playing in isn't completely theirs, right? They could try to buy it/part of it for that kind of money, which would be a smart investment.

I definitely do hope they invest into some club infrastructure rather than blowing it all on some kind of hopeful player trades that fail more often than succeed (looking at Barca and Neymar money). Whether it's stadium ownership or improved training and youth facilities or something else, I have no clue.
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