I forgot to add Liverpool along w/ Arsenal to teams that have managed to integrate young players into their squad kinda regularly. Over the last two years it's been Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe(Even though he was purchased from a prior team, he was still 16 when he got to Liverpool and then played for Liverpool's youth team). Prior to that Martin Kelly, Jonjo Shelvey and Jon Flanagan. I imagine Mancini for City and the last few Chelsea managers haven't had much faith in the quality coming out of their youth programs, belief and trust in those few youth players that looked quality, and didn't have the bravery necessary to trust and give those young players a chance to round out their squads regularly. I think that has a good chance of changing next season with both Pellegrini(if he stays) and Mourinho.
City is just a team of mercenaries without an Englishman in the starting 11 besides the GK. It would be nice to see some youth brought up. They played beautiful football most of last season, but this year Yaya Toure has not been the same force as last year and there has been nobody outside of Sergio Aguero who has scored goals from the forward spots.
C'mon man.... this is such a propaganda. I bet you Ramos it's probably in the midst of renewing his contract or something. This is the Madrid captain (Casillas is on the way out) and alongside Di Maria the reason they won La Decima. He isn't going anywhere.
Good to see Thiago starting again, playing like a boss today. Top 5 midfielder in Europe if healthy long-term.
Leverkusen terminates defender Emir Spahic's contract after he was involved in a brawl with the team's own security following Wednesday's loss versus Bayern. Spahic's buddies wanted to enter the corridors after the game but weren't allowed, so they started a fight and he joined, punching a security and even giving a headbutt. Working hard on that Balkan stereotype.
Came to post this. Great move by Leverkusen, rare to find a sports team that that reacts the right way and doesn't pamper its players because of money. Spahic is a disgusting player, hope he never plays in a big league again. People from Balkan have a bad reputation as it is, this guy is idolized by millions and can't control his emotions, way to represent your people.
Plus, he's 34 years old. I could kinda understand this behaviour by a 20 year old. But 34 and still act like this shows you that a lot things went wrong with him. Probably a spanish or english team will pick him up, though.
Pathetic but not unexpected. The run of 4 straight was sure nice though. Time to sell Yaya to Inter and bring in Pogba.
United getting it done impressively with players who were set to be cast offs heading into this season. Young and Fellaini have been huge in this recent run, with Young even keeping Di Maria out of the XI. LVG has really started to get the most out of his players lately. It will be an interesting battle for 2nd between Arsenal who have been playing outstanding lately, and United. Chelsea remains the best without a doubt at the top.
This may be an overreaction from the press, but there are rumblings of a mass exodus of players from Man City this summer? Anyways, good showing by United yesterday and players are finally clicking on this whole LVG's "philosophy" thing. I had my doubts earlier this season but I knew the players would come along soon.
English media overreaction is always predictable. Yep things are clicking and not just his philosophy but LVG finally settled on a formation(for the most part) so that helps.
Ditching that 3 defenders at the back signaled a change. Let's face it, United have forever played 4 defenders at the back. The 3-5-2 formation caused all sorts of confusion and problems. Also playing players like Fellaini in his right position helps.
