Not that you are asking me but If I were to rate the teams as of now... 1. R. Madrid (Current Champs) 2. FC Bayern 3. FC Barca 4. Chelsea 5. M. City
What a relief it is that we didn't fall for Pique lite in David Luiz. That would have been a disastrous signing
David Luiz is so overrated as a CB. I think his best position is as a defensive mid where his gambles and inevitable moments of stupidity are (generally) not as catastrophic. He is talented and passionate but often very very dumb. The problem with him in midfield, though, is that he sometimes thinks he is way better than he is and try to be an attacking threat. He is a weapon passing the ball forward but not running with the ball.
City hasn't learned how to play in the CL yet. They are nowhere near the top 5. RM Bayern Barca Chelsea PSG In no order based on usual performance with a little projection added.
Thought about putting PSG instead of City but ehhh. lol Chelsea with Mou will be in the Semis I think.
Looks like it's the end of the Dos Santos era in BCN. He's headed to Villareal and back with his brother.
It would have been disastrous because of what you said...Pique lite. So right about that. David Luiz had mostly good World Cup matches prior to this because of who he was playing next to imo. Put him beside Thiago Silva and he becomes so much better. Put him beside Dante or Gary Cahill and you see Bad David Luiz. I don't think PSG will be worried since they have Thiago and they know he will be there to partner David Luiz. Also in thinking about yesterday's match, although David Luiz had a nightmare of a match, I think back to something I believe "sexybutignorant' posted when we were having a discussion about David Luiz and whether he was really one of the best CB's in the tournament. He brought up a good point about the fact that Brazil's CBs are hobbled with the fact they've had to play beside fullbacks that can't defend for $hit. Yesterday was a prime example. Marcelo effed David Luiz and Dante Sooooooooo much especially in that first 30 mins or so. Dante and David Luiz played their part but Marcelo screwed them bad. Regardless, that was one of the best non-signings of the offseason imo, Barca not going for David Luiz and letting PSG pay crazy money for him, but it will work for PSG since they are bringing him to play alongside Thiago Silva.
About da** time.. Next I want Cuenca, Afellay, & Tello gone. NO room for them. Mandzukic to Atleti done deal.
I also thought Marcelo was the biggest reason for the debacle. The right side was so wide open for Germany that every-time they marched down that route it created chaos. He was all over the floor. Agree with you and Reekoo in that both David Luiz and Pique need a leader next to them. In Barca this was very obvious when Puyi wasn't on the floor.
Worst grades that were given: Marcelo, Dante and Maicon Luiz was a tad better graded.....Fernandinho and Gustavo were pretty bad too. Midfield broke down and the pressure goes all the way back to the defenders Dante is probably the only guy that was staying behind most of the time.
Anyone know anything about Lazar Markovic (from Benfica)? Supposedly he's having his medical now at Anfield. He's only 20, but I dunno if he can fill the gap left by Suarez. Also Liverpool is supposedly after young Belgium forward, Divock Origi. I haven't been impressed by what I see from the World Cup. I don't know why Pool isn't going after any big names. We keep on banking on "potential" and it sucks tbh.
Lol I guess the "big names" want to go to teams that can open up the cheque book even more than Liverpool can. There are levels, you know this by now being a Reds fan. Liverpool can open up their cheque book more than say Southampton but definitely not on a Chelsea or City level. Hey Origi is kind of a big name. I really hope Origi declines a move to Liverpool. He's better than that(being an understudy to Sturridge and Sterling) but the money will be better than what he's currently on. Don't know if Markovic is the guy to take over from Suarez, I figure maybe Rodgers changes some things around with no Suarez-playing style wise. What do you think?
Pool played some attractive football when Suarez was out. There were concerns about whether his return would mess up their chemistry. Clearly they were better with him but they have some experience and success without. And they added Lambert who can score a bit.
