***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Sinn Fein]

Law 12 - fouls and misconduct

Cautionable offences

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game

delaying the restart of play

failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in

entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee's permission

deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission

A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if he commits any of the following three offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

delaying the restart of play

I don't think Dante's foul rose to the level of a cautionable offense. The closest is unsporting behavior, but in the play at question he simply made an awkward attempt to play the ball. He did not act recklessly, nor did he act in a manner likely to cause injury. He left his leg up, and it impeded the Dortmund player - he did not attempt to impede the player (which has no bearing on the foul and penalty, but does impact whether it was a cautionable offense imo).

:

He spiked him in the stomach.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/05/25/article-2330431-19FF9D58000005DC-943_634x404.jpg

cleats are down

Yes, coming right down on his lower abdomen.

I guess that is what I am not remembering - I don't think he kicked at him, he was not stomping at the ball when contact was made. I thought he simply raised his foot to play the ball when it bounced high. He left his leg up, and the contact was caused as much by the Dortmund player running into him - still a penalty, but I don't see that it was necessarily a card - not all fouls deserve a caution. I don't think Dante's play was likely to cause injury - which I think you need for a one-off foul.

 

[Ghost of Red Blaik]

Random question- thoughts on this:

How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not necessarily the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeymen, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

 

[TLEF316]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this.

If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance.

What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

 

[Ghost of Red Blaik]

I agree, I wish our MLS winner could compete in the Europa or champions league, that would be cool

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this.

If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance.

What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

8th. Better than WBA, worse than Liverpool.

 

[TLEF316]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this.

If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance.

What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

8th. Better than WBA, worse than Liverpool.

That's kinda what I was thinking. Somewhere in the higher end of the mid-table. We've got plenty of guys that have proven to be above average players in top leagues, plus our team probably improves quite a bit due to the consistent practice time together.

 

[DiStefano]

I agree, I wish our MLS winner could compete in the Europa or champions league, that would be cool

The ought to get into the Libertadores Cup.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this. If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance. What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

Assuming they got to train year-round together like an actual club team? I think they'd be solid mid-table Prem. prob around 11-14 in EPL

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I agree, I wish our MLS winner could compete in the Europa or champions league, that would be cool

The ought to get into the Libertadores Cup.

First things first, lets start beating Mexican teams in the CONCACAF Champions League before moving up in weight

 

[T Bell]

What a crazy ending to that playoff final. Clutch clearance off the line by Palace to save the win

Yeah, great play by the attacking player to poke a perfectly placed shot in that mad scramble, and great play by the defender. Game saver.

 

[T Bell]

Law 12 - fouls and misconduct

Cautionable offences

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game

delaying the restart of play

failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in

entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee's permission

deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission

A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if he commits any of the following three offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

delaying the restart of play

I don't think Dante's foul rose to the level of a cautionable offense. The closest is unsporting behavior, but in the play at question he simply made an awkward attempt to play the ball. He did not act recklessly, nor did he act in a manner likely to cause injury. He left his leg up, and it impeded the Dortmund player - he did not attempt to impede the player (which has no bearing on the foul and penalty, but does impact whether it was a cautionable offense imo).

:

He spiked him in the stomach.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/05/25/article-2330431-19FF9D58000005DC-943_634x404.jpg

cleats are down

Yes, coming right down on his lower abdomen.

I guess that is what I am not remembering - I don't think he kicked at him, he was not stomping at the ball when contact was made. I thought he simply raised his foot to play the ball when it bounced high. He left his leg up, and the contact was caused as much by the Dortmund player running into him - still a penalty, but I don't see that it was necessarily a card - not all fouls deserve a caution. I don't think Dante's play was likely to cause injury - which I think you need for a one-off foul.

I tend to think of castration as injury.

It was a reckless, desperate and late challenge. I agree he didn't try to hurt the player, but he was desperate precisely because he'd gotten beaten in the 18-yard area and he was scrambling to stop a scoring chance. It's a card, not even close.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I was rooting for CP simply because they have a cooler name than "Watford."

 

[T Bell]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this. If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance. What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

Assuming they got to train year-round together like an actual club team? I think they'd be solid mid-table Prem. prob around 11-14 in EPL

Agreed on all counts. The MLS and the USMNT have a lot of good squad players and even some decent attackers, but overall they lack the top end playmakers and goal scorers who can change games and carry the team on their back, e.g. scoring some goals every so often that they just "don't deserve". Basically, the USMNT is Sunderland.

 

[Christo]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this. If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance. What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

Assuming they got to train year-round together like an actual club team? I think they'd be solid mid-table Prem. prob around 11-14 in EPL

Agreed on all counts. The MLS and the USMNT have a lot of good squad players and even some decent attackers, but overall they lack the top end playmakers and goal scorers who can change games and carry the team on their back, e.g. scoring some goals every so often that they just "don't deserve". Basically, the USMNT is Sunderland.

They're better than Sunderland. With players like Bradley (Roma), Dempsey (Spurs), Howard (Everton), LD (started for Everton when he was there), the USMNT is good enough to be in the West Brom/Swansea/West Ham range.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this. If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance. What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

Assuming they got to train year-round together like an actual club team? I think they'd be solid mid-table Prem. prob around 11-14 in EPL

Agreed on all counts. The MLS and the USMNT have a lot of good squad players and even some decent attackers, but overall they lack the top end playmakers and goal scorers who can change games and carry the team on their back, e.g. scoring some goals every so often that they just "don't deserve". Basically, the USMNT is Sunderland.

They're better than Sunderland. With players like Bradley (Roma), Dempsey (Spurs), Howard (Everton), LD (started for Everton when he was there), the USMNT is good enough to be in the West Brom/Swansea/West Ham range.

I think the Nats suffer from similar depth issues over a long EPL grind that an MLS team would, although nowhere near as severe. There's still a rather sizable gap between the Nats' starting XI and the second team, and I assume for this discussion, the Nats could only fill out the squad with other Americans and not tap the world transfer market.That said, I can't in good conscience put the Nats below Stoke, so that 11-12 Norwich/Fulham level feels about right to me

 

[Ghost of Red Blaik]

I agree with beating better before we move up in weight, I just think it would be a cool sea, I wonder how the American public woud follow it if they knew they woud get in, just was a curious thought

 

[Good Posting Judge]

0:59 haha =

 

[Christo]

Random question- thoughts on this:How would a top flight MLS team do in the premiership?

They'd get relegated, but the reason is not the quality of the starting XI, who I honestly think the better teams could hang with mid-to-lower Prem teams in a one-off match situation, and certainly be competitive against any Championship side. Last night's LA Galaxy team, for example, would give a ton of teams around the world a run for their money.The real problem is that MLS sides woefully lack the depth needed for a 38-game EPL grind plus two cup competitions. End of bench prem players are still very class players and would be DP-level salary in MLS; due to the salary cap, end of bench MLS players are minimum salary just above average college player, journeyman, or extremely inexperienced kids.It's apples and oranges

Pretty much this. If you eliminate the cup schedule and magically set up it up so that the MLS team could play their best 11 every single game without fatigue or injury, they might have a chance of staying up. But under normal circumstances, no chance. What might be a better question is how would the USMNT do? (assuming full health of all players at the start of the year)

Assuming they got to train year-round together like an actual club team? I think they'd be solid mid-table Prem. prob around 11-14 in EPL

Agreed on all counts. The MLS and the USMNT have a lot of good squad players and even some decent attackers, but overall they lack the top end playmakers and goal scorers who can change games and carry the team on their back, e.g. scoring some goals every so often that they just "don't deserve". Basically, the USMNT is Sunderland.

They're better than Sunderland. With players like Bradley (Roma), Dempsey (Spurs), Howard (Everton), LD (started for Everton when he was there), the USMNT is good enough to be in the West Brom/Swansea/West Ham range.

I think the Nats suffer from similar depth issues over a long EPL grind that an MLS team would, although nowhere near as severe. There's still a rather sizable gap between the Nats' starting XI and the second team, and I assume for this discussion, the Nats could only fill out the squad with other Americans and not tap the world transfer market.That said, I can't in good conscience put the Nats below Stoke, so that 11-12 Norwich/Fulham level feels about right to me

What if they could tap the guys who are eligible but chosen to play for other teams like Subotic, Hangeland & everybody's favorite turncoat Rossi?

 

[El Floppo]

Law 12 - fouls and misconduct

Cautionable offences

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game

delaying the restart of play

failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in

entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee's permission

deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission

A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if he commits any of the following three offences:

unsporting behaviour

dissent by word or action

delaying the restart of play

I don't think Dante's foul rose to the level of a cautionable offense. The closest is unsporting behavior, but in the play at question he simply made an awkward attempt to play the ball. He did not act recklessly, nor did he act in a manner likely to cause injury. He left his leg up, and it impeded the Dortmund player - he did not attempt to impede the player (which has no bearing on the foul and penalty, but does impact whether it was a cautionable offense imo).

:

He spiked him in the stomach.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/05/25/article-2330431-19FF9D58000005DC-943_634x404.jpg

cleats are down

Yes, coming right down on his lower abdomen.

I guess that is what I am not remembering - I don't think he kicked at him, he was not stomping at the ball when contact was made. I thought he simply raised his foot to play the ball when it bounced high. He left his leg up, and the contact was caused as much by the Dortmund player running into him - still a penalty, but I don't see that it was necessarily a card - not all fouls deserve a caution. I don't think Dante's play was likely to cause injury - which I think you need for a one-off foul.

youre wrong here.

that was pretty much the definition of reckless. like we've said earlier- late, foot high, nowhere near the ball. not all fouls are cards- but that one was. if it wasn't in the box, late in the game for the game-tying PK call on a guy with a yellow already, no doubt in my mind Dante sees yellow there.

 

[El Floppo]

I agree, I wish our MLS winner could compete in the Europa or champions league, that would be cool

The ought to get into the Libertadores Cup.

First things first, lets start beating Mexican teams in the CONCACAF Champions League before moving up in weight

Of course, MLS seems to be closing the gap (albeit still obviously behind, especially due to timing of the damn thing) but Mexican teams tend to do pretty well in the Libertadores, so MLS teams might be able to compete- but yeah, MLS teams need to win a CONCACAF CL

 

[El Floppo]

So... does Muller bother anybody else? He's a guy that I"ve seen play a bunch through the CL and Germany over the last few years, and every time I seem him he does this particularly German brand of diving/embellishing/whining that makes me want to punch him in the nads. Yeah, Ribery's a punk and guys like Marcello and Pique make me ill- Muller's a different level, but still a high level of douchebaggery. And what makes it worse (for all of them really) is that he's good enough to not have to resort to that crap. At least he's not a hacking diving/embellishing/whiner... those are the absolute worst.

Muller doesn't get under anybody else's skin?

 

[Ghost of Red Blaik]

I am ok with Mueller, Ribbery just annoys me to no end though

 

[boubucarow]

I felt like I was watching TV in 1985 during the Championship playoff today. Comcast has simply always been horrible with soccer. I suspect they will get BeIn in HD in 2020.

 

[Eephus]

Congratulations to Wimbledon's ex-landlords for their big payday today. Palace has a huge challenge ahead of them; they're early 1:2 favorites to go right back down. But they earned promotion with home-grown talent including Zaha with a big assist from the ageless Kevin Phillips.

Hopefully they'll use some of the Premiership loot to fix Selhurst Park. It was pretty dilapidated when I went there a decade ago. Even with some repairs, it'll be the worst ground in the league by far.

 

[El Floppo]

Congratulations to Wimbledon's ex-landlords for their big payday today. Palace has a huge challenge ahead of them; they're early 1:2 favorites to go right back down. But they earned promotion with home-grown talent including Zaha with a big assist from the ageless Kevin Phillips.

Hopefully they'll use some of the Premiership loot to fix Selhurst Park. It was pretty dilapidated when I went there a decade ago. Even with some repairs, it'll be the worst ground in the league by far.

Kevin Phillips. :shakesheadinamazement:

 

[GoFishTN]

I will be glad to see Ian Holloway back in the Premier League with Palace. His interviews were pretty funny with Blackpool.

 

[Sebowski]

I get the Muller hate. #### that guy. I remember liking him befre he got through and stayimg biased foe a bit, but you're right. He's a #####.

 

[GoFishTN]

I get the Muller hate. #### that guy. I remember liking him befre he got through and stayimg biased foe a bit, but you're right. He's a #####.

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2600170240/h025FEAB4/

 

[Sebowski]

No habló inglés

 

[Good Posting Judge]

UEFA coefficient rankings. Spain #1!

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/seasoncountry/index.html

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Barca pursuing a CB next, apparently Silva (too expensive) and Hummels (too similar to Pique, according to Vilanova, because why have more than two defenders who are taller than 5'9" ) are ruled out, Luiz and Marqinhos apparently next on the radar.

Valdes linked to Monaco, as they're one of the only teams willing to pay now instead of get him on a free transfer next year. ter Stegen is apparently #1 on Barca's wishlist.

Thiago can be had for a 15mm buyout b/c he didn't play in 60% of Barca's games this year. Plenty of teams willing to pay it, so it's going to be on Barca to lure him home. He's the natural candidate to start easing out Xavi, but Gundogan's been mentioned as well.

Villa being linked to England. Sanchez being linked to Italy. United also apparently interested in Cesc.

It's going to be a very interesting summer...

 

[The Gator]

Thiago can be had for a 15mm buyout b/c he didn't play in 60% of Barca's games this year.

Whoa

 

[Slapdash]

Thiago can be had for a 15mm buyout b/c he didn't play in 60% of Barca's games this year.

Whoa

I think this will be irrelevant if he plays this weekend.

 

[DiStefano]

UEFA coefficient rankings. Spain #1!

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/seasoncountry/index.html

While we're about it, here are the FIFA world rankings. To me the stunner is how far down Brazil is. I don't ever remember seeing them so low.

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html

 

[Sebowski]

UEFA coefficient rankings. Spain #1!

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/seasoncountry/index.html

While we're about it, here are the FIFA world rankings. To me the stunner is how far down Brazil is. I don't ever remember seeing them so low.

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html

They are basically being punished for not having to go through WC qualifying since they are the host nation.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Benitez to Napoli is official. Mou's return to Chelsea seems certain. Lewandowski almost certainly going to Bayern, which probably makes Gomez available. I think the window officially opens July 1 for most of Europe, but things are heating up already. Trying to ignore the fluff, it does seem very likely that Falcao is moving to Monaco and that Cavani is leaving Napoli, probably for Spain.

 

[Sinn Fein]

UEFA coefficient rankings. Spain #1!

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/seasoncountry/index.html

While we're about it, here are the FIFA world rankings. To me the stunner is how far down Brazil is. I don't ever remember seeing them so low.

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html

They are basically being punished for not having to go through WC qualifying since they are the host nation.

this - no competitive matches hurts the ranking

 

[GoFishTN]

Looks like Martinez is on the way to Everton.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1462400/wigan-gives-roberto-martinez-ok-talk-everton?cc=5901

 

[The Gator]

'David Moyes, the incoming Manchester United manager, is set to appoint Phil Neville, Steve Round, Chris Woods and Robbie Cooke to his backroom staff, with all four taken from his former club Everton.'

Bust up that winner, big guy

 

[GoFishTN]

'David Moyes, the incoming Manchester United manager, is set to appoint Phil Neville, Steve Round, Chris Woods and Robbie Cooke to his backroom staff, with all four taken from his former club Everton.'

Bust up that winner, big guy

 

[The Gator]

Liverpool have agree to terms with Kolo Toure on a free transfer.

Decent move and I think just brought in for leadership and a backup role.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Liverpool have agree to terms with Kolo Toure on a free transfer. Decent move and I think just brought in for leadership and a backup role.

Kolo's affair - when he posed as a car salesman and hid his identity from a girl in Manchester for over a year - is my favorite off the field footballer story ever. I think he even managed to get married during the affair. Whenever I hear his name I think of the phone picture she took of him in the shower where he looks like Sylvester the cat with the bird feathers sticking out of his mouth. Its really very hard not to laugh out loud at that image to this day. Easily one of my favorite athletes of all time for pulling that off.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Liverpool have agree to terms with Kolo Toure on a free transfer.

Decent move and I think just brought in for leadership and a backup role.

Decent. Wish it was Yaya instead, though.

 

[The Gator]

Liverpool have agree to terms with Kolo Toure on a free transfer.

Decent move and I think just brought in for leadership and a backup role.

Decent. Wish it was Yaya instead, though.

Did the Football Manager inside of you get pumped at the links with Papadopoulos and Alderweireld?

 

[The Z Machine]

So it looks like Monaco will sign Falcao today. Bummed. He did great things with Atlético, pushing them to their best finish in years, a Champions League spot, and a Copa del Rey win. Those are no small feats, and for that I'm VERY grateful.

So here's what I don't get... Falcao said in the past that he wants Champions League football. He has that at his current club for next year. So what does he do? He signs with a club that's just been promoted, which plays in a league with a poor CL record (only 1 win ever), is ranked 6th in European coefficients, and has only 3 spots for CL play (2 direct to Group). So he'll have to prove himself yet again that he's worthy of a CL spot. I'm not sure I'll be pulling for Monaco nest year...

Obviously, this isn't about CL play, despite what Falcao said prior to this season. It's about the money, and for that I can't blame him. It's just sour grapes that my team has sold off the following strikers in the last few years: Fernando Torres, Kun Agüero, Diego Forlán, and now Radamel Falcao. They're obviously a selling team. Hopefully this influx of money from these sales combined with the CL Group Stage money will move them OUT of the selling game, and into the buying game. It's pretty tough to compete against the bigs when you sell your best players every year (see Arsenal, BvB, etc.)

 

[The Z Machine]

Also, Carvalho is moving to Monaco as well.

 

[The Gator]

If the contract numbers floating around are true, he'l get to keep 10M of his 10M contract as apposed to keeping 5M in other countries. That's a pretty freaking big deal imo.

They should qualify for the CL next season. They probably aren't done buying and will continue to attract players with their money. So I don't see one year without CL footy too big of a deal. The ceiling will be higher in Monaco for obvious reasons.

 

[jonessed]

If the contract numbers floating around are true, he'l get to keep 10M of his 10M contract as apposed to keeping 5M in other countries. That's a pretty freaking big deal imo. They should qualify for the CL next season. They probably aren't done buying and will continue to attract players with their money.

I hope The French league smacks them with a tax proxy fee to compete. If they want to throw money like this around they should be forced to play by the same rules.

 

[Spartans Rule]

So it looks like Monaco will sign Falcao today. Bummed. He did great things with Atlético, pushing them to their best finish in years, a Champions League spot, and a Copa del Rey win. Those are no small feats, and for that I'm VERY grateful.

So here's what I don't get... Falcao said in the past that he wants Champions League football. He has that at his current club for next year. So what does he do? He signs with a club that's just been promoted, which plays in a league with a poor CL record (only 1 win ever), is ranked 6th in European coefficients, and has only 3 spots for CL play (2 direct to Group). So he'll have to prove himself yet again that he's worthy of a CL spot. I'm not sure I'll be pulling for Monaco nest year...

Obviously, this isn't about CL play, despite what Falcao said prior to this season. It's about the money, and for that I can't blame him. It's just sour grapes that my team has sold off the following strikers in the last few years: Fernando Torres, Kun Agüero, Diego Forlán, and now Radamel Falcao. They're obviously a selling team. Hopefully this influx of money from these sales combined with the CL Group Stage money will move them OUT of the selling game, and into the buying game. It's pretty tough to compete against the bigs when you sell your best players every year (see Arsenal, BvB, etc.)

I think a lot of it goes back to that third-party ownership thing that someone posted an article about. Falcao may not have had much choice in the matter.