Actually, that was yesterday's news, and that was just coming from Robson. United put in a bid today, and will talk with Rooney and Everton tomorrow. Sir Alex wants him, he wants to come, he'll be in a Red jersey by the deadline. True, you're missing 3 starters, but we're missing our entire starting front line in Ruud and Saha, half of our defense in Rio and Hienze, and the heart of our team in Keano. Not to mention key back ups such as Brown, Fletcher, Kleberson, Ole and Ronaldo. Luckily, we just got Kleb, Fletch and Ronaldo back for today's game. We'll be fine. I'm just not sold that Chelski is going to be able to play as a team for an entire season. They've got a ton of superstars, but alot of them are warming the bench, and that's going to cause team spirit issues somewhere down the line. Owen's never healthy and Raul looks to be well past his prime, he looked awful at Euro 2004. Ronaldo is oure class though.
This thread is awesome. I've hated soccer my whole life bc when you're flipping channels, all you see is Mexican soccer and the "goooooooooaaaaal" and that's annoying as crap and they're not any good. This Fox Sports World channel is great. My roommate who plays goalie here got me hooked. We just watched Arsenal win 5-3. Pretty exciting game. Like any sport I just watch it and eventually I get absorbed, but I can't help noticing how their best players Reyes and Hayes (?) look like Wally Sczerbiak and Richard Jefferson. Or at least they do from my couch.
I've been following the EPL since more and more americans have been playing and starting. I follow Manchester United because of Howard. what he has done in just one year is amazing and he looks to have a long career ahead of him. United are not playing at full capacity right now but will be back in the thick of it when they get healthy. Arsenal should have lost to United last spring at Old Trafford when Ruud missed a penalty kick at the end of the game. The way the Arsenal players acted after he missed it was classless at best. So to hell with the gooners. And Chelski trying to buy a title ala the yankees and lakers doesn't seem right,except of course to their fans. Real has the galacticos, but give up as many goooooooools as they score. The problem with soccer today is the club vs. country debate, which doesn't help the players or the style of play when it comes to the big prize (World Cup). I'm a fan of soccer, and in particular a huge fan of the US soccer team. I'll watch it if it's Mexican,Italian,American or English. It's just a different way of expressing it on the pitch. And if you don't like GOOOOOOOOOOL then mute or change the tv. And remember the US will win the WC in the next 14 years. And Brazil will win in germany 2006
Common, be fair now. Owen's playing time will be reduced, which should help him tremendously. But he's still young. Raul is definitely not past his prime. He's not even late 20's yet is he? Ronaldo just needs to get into shape, something Camacho is working on. Sorry, Nistlrooij/Saha/Rooney. Rooney is still young (although extremely high on potential), Saha is a few classes before the names mentioned... Nistelrooij definitely is a top class player though. Alan Smith, like Saha, is no top class player. Owen, Raul and Ronaldo are all easily top 10 strikers (world). Their line-up will be great to watch this year: Raul--Ronaldo--Owen Figo--Zidane--Beckham Carlos-Samuel-Woodgate-Salgado ---------Casillas------------------ Now that they have a competent central defence, all they lack is a defensive midfielder. I hope to God they get someone like Makelele or Patrick Vieira - someone in that mold. Beckham can go to hell, he's not in the same class as these players. If I'm Real, I'd have gone after Xabi Alonso (Liverpool now).
Shoulda coulda. I agree the scene was ugly but they served their suspensions and were pretty contrite at the overreaction. It might be a little hard to understand the reaction without knowing the recent history between the two clubs. The Arsenal is without a doubt the class of the EPL now. Even former critics like Brian Clough who criticized their disciplinary record have come out and said they recognize how much the Gunners have worked to correct that problem. If you don't want to follow a 'yankee' type team then you'll have to give up ManU, lol. They are the richest club in the world and regularly spend more than anyone else in the transfer market. Its just that recent splurges have not worked out (Veron, Forlan).
Is Keano hurt again? And Ole is out for the season, right? Kleberson has yet to prove himself in the EPL and the same can be said for Fletcher. O'Shea is looking worse and worse. Ronaldo is very very good, but I'll take Reyes any day of the week over him. No doubt you'll get better when Rio and Heinze come in though. Scholes retirement from internationals should help as well I guess. Henry Bergkamp Reyes/Pires/Van Persie Freddie/Pennant Edu/Viera/Gilberto/Cesc/Flamini Cole/Clichy Campbell/Toure Lauren/Senderos Lehman Now that is a team full of proven talent. And only Bergkamp and I think Pires maybe are over 30. So many options both to stop the opponent and to attack....whew. As far as Real vs ManU strikers, not sure why ManU wouldn't have the same problem as Chelsea with Rooney/Van Diver/Saha and Smith (all want to play) and you've failed to mention Morientes in the Real mix of Owen, Ronaldo, and Raul. Morientes is way better than Smith or Saha and much more proven than Rooney. Van Nistelroy is the only proven world class out of ManU's group.
Yeah, we just lost Keano for three weeks with broken ribs, and Ole's career is likely over. Kleberson was hurt all last season, but he looked really good yesterday against Dinamo, he's not a starter but should be a solid squad player. Fletcher has looked briliant when played in center midfield, did you catch the FA Cup semi with the Gooners last year? The problem is that Fergie seems to play him wide right too much, where he is clearly out of postion. Ronaldo and Reyes are two completely different players, it's really hard to compare them , but time will tell. I must say I've been impressed with Reyes this season. Ah, damn forgot about Mori, that puts them ahead of us. The problem with Chelski, is they are about three deep with world class players ar every postion. That's going to cause problems. His numbers have declined the last few seasons, and as I said earlier, he was awful at Euro 2004. Yes, he's only 26, but he's on the way down.
Liverpool got whacked in their group draw today: GROUP A: Deportivo La Coruña Liverpool Monaco Olympiakos Depor is always good in the champions league and monaco was in the finals last year. Ouch. Manu and Arsenal got ok draws it seems, and Chelsea as well (although its interesting that they draw Porto).
i´m also a huge arsenal fan.... i do think they have a great chance to win repeat their championship run... i just don´t think they´ll win the cl... real and ac milan are just too strong...
I think some of our recent additions will really help in the CL. Reyes, for one, does not have any of the 'cant win on the continent' baggage that has plagued the gunners in the past. For me, Viera has to finally live up to his rep and lead them to the trophy he wants so badly.
Interesting you should say that. The media here are saying it's not too bad a draw. Monaco aren't the team they were last season. Top two in each group go through, so I think they'll be OK.
That's putting it lightly, they lost Morientes, Guily, and Rothen from last year's squad. I doubt the Scousers will have too much trouble making it to the knockout rounds.
Monaco got some decent acquisition too though... Muhammed Kallon from Inter and Chevanton from Lecce (he was chased by Milan, Juve, etc)
I tried to change the thread title to European Soccer/Football but it didn't change. Maybe we can just use this thread to discuss Euro football in general instead of starting new threads? Great comments so far btw.
He's 26... I STRONGLY disagree with you there... Doesn't make sense. He's been sharing more shots recently, I'll give you that. How many people are more dangerous than him in the penalty area? I don't know how often you watch him, but Raul is definitely not going downhill. Even if he is, he's still better than Rooney, Saha, and Smith.
I agree. Even if they were the same team, I wouldn't be afraid. Even after last season's performances, would you really still bet on Monaco or Deportivo aking it to the final again? Monaco is definitely weaker. I think Liverpool takes top spot in this group. Remember, their coach is Rafael Benitez, and he knows a thing or two about Deportivo.
Sorry, it was Porto not Deportivo in the final. Even better. I like Liverpool's chances against both Monaco and Deportivo.
Let's look at his scoring record in La Liga the last 4 seasons: 2000/01- 25 2001/02- 14 2002/03- 16 2003/04- 11 I'm pretty sure that shows that he's in decline, especially if you consider he only scored 1 goal in the Champions League last season. If you read one of my earlier posts, I later conceded that Real have a better strike force than Man United, but I think I'm right on this one.
