What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

So what's the US projected starting XI for Brazil at this juncture?

Howard

Chandler-Besler-Gonzalez-Johnson

Donovan-Bradley-Jones-Zusi/EJ

Dempsey-Altidore?
Howard

???-Besler-Gonzo-???

Donovan-Bradley-Jones-???

Dempsey-Altidore

Those eight are pretty much a lock, I think, as well as Fabian at one of the open positions. Given Klinsmann's style so far, I don't know that we'll necessarily have a real starting XI; the last couple spots will probably be determined on a game-by-game basis depending on our opponent and the tactics we want to use against them.
I wouldn't call Gonzo a lock. Goodson will give him a fight there.

 
I don't think Gonzo is an autostart as long as he keeps making errors and Goodson is playing well. If I'm Klinsi, I'm playing the mind games with Omar. He needs to earn his spot.

Assuming a 4-2-3-1, my projected lineup as of right now is:

Howard

Evans, Goodson, Besler, Johnson

Bradley Jones

Donovan Deuce Torres

Altidore

Obviously Evans, Goodson, and Torres are the most tenuous positions. My thinking is that Beasley is still a bit of a liability at LB and that Johnson can provide the width going forward. For that reason, I'd start Torres because he'd be comfortable tucking inside and just maintaining possession. Other options at that spot are Beasley himself, EJ, or even Donovan (and playing Zusi on the right). Wherever I'd put Donovan in the lineup, I'd have him swapping positions with Deuce regularly.

 
I wonder if there's room for LD playing behind Jozy (like he paired with EJ) instead of on the wing. I know people like Deuce there, but is there room for both of them? Sure LD can play on either wing, but he has been pretty effective moving into channels behind the CF. That would force Deuce to the wing. Getting those two guys to play effectively across the attacking midfield (and linking up with Jozy) will be key to the US attack. Couple Jones and Bradley making direct forays into the box and some overlapping runs by the fullbacks, and you have a pretty dynamic offense. Too bad those same fullbacks will get burnt like Andre Rison's house if they are out of position against good competition.
I was thinking the same thing last night. Donovan has been better in that spot than Dempsey was for the qualifiers. But Dempsey needs to be in the middle to get himself involved and not disappear. Good problem to have I guess?

 
So what's the US projected starting XI for Brazil at this juncture?

Howard

Chandler-Besler-Gonzalez-Johnson

Donovan-Bradley-Jones-Zusi/EJ

Dempsey-Altidore?
Howard

???-Besler-Gonzo-???

Donovan-Bradley-Jones-???

Dempsey-Altidore

Those eight are pretty much a lock, I think, as well as Fabian at one of the open positions. Given Klinsmann's style so far, I don't know that we'll necessarily have a real starting XI; the last couple spots will probably be determined on a game-by-game basis depending on our opponent and the tactics we want to use against them.
I wouldn't call Gonzo a lock. Goodson will give him a fight there.
I think Gonzo has FAR more upside than Goodson. Goodson is one slow step away from being beat by his mark.

 
Nobody disputes that Gonzo has more upside than Goodson. But Goodson has played better. Gonzo hasn't looked close to losing his mark. He's lost his mark several times. Goodson hasn't. (I realize it may have looked like Goodson losing the Honduran on the free kick last night, but that was Bedoya's man. Against Belize, it was Parkhurst's man). Goodson is also an underrated passer (hockey assists on the first and third goal last night). They're probably equal in the air on set pieces, but Goodson is a surprisingly composed finisher with his feet as well.

I'm fine with sitting Goodson if Gonzo is going to come out and perform well enough to take the job. I feel the same about Evans. I'm not in love with starting him, but it's his job until someone proves to me they're better. As of now, the best performers of the US CBs are Besler and then Goodson.

 
Nobody disputes that Gonzo has more upside than Goodson. But Goodson has played better. Gonzo hasn't looked close to losing his mark. He's lost his mark several times. Goodson hasn't. (I realize it may have looked like Goodson losing the Honduran on the free kick last night, but that was Bedoya's man. Against Belize, it was Parkhurst's man). Goodson is also an underrated passer (hockey assists on the first and third goal last night). They're probably equal in the air on set pieces, but Goodson is a surprisingly composed finisher with his feet as well.

I'm fine with sitting Goodson if Gonzo is going to come out and perform well enough to take the job. I feel the same about Evans. I'm not in love with starting him, but it's his job until someone proves to me they're better. As of now, the best performers of the US CBs are Besler and then Goodson.
I'm going to try and watch the Galaxy more to see more of Gonzo, but last time I did that I came away less enthused instead of moreso.

 
I guess you and I have different opinions on these two guys. I see Gonzo as a guy with the right physical tools to do the job, and I see Goodson as a guy I know will get beat by a good forward. I'm an optimist in as much as I'll take the guy who has the potential to be very good over the guy that you know to be mediocre.

I guess the fact of the matter is that neither of them are great right now. Besler looks better, and Gooch is done, Boca looks nearly done. When do we play some decent competition? Do we have friendlies lined up yet for 2014 to prepare for the WC?

 
I don't think Gonzo is an autostart as long as he keeps making errors and Goodson is playing well. If I'm Klinsi, I'm playing the mind games with Omar. He needs to earn his spot.

Assuming a 4-2-3-1, my projected lineup as of right now is:

Howard

Evans, Goodson, Besler, Johnson

Bradley Jones

Donovan Deuce Torres

Altidore

Obviously Evans, Goodson, and Torres are the most tenuous positions. My thinking is that Beasley is still a bit of a liability at LB and that Johnson can provide the width going forward. For that reason, I'd start Torres because he'd be comfortable tucking inside and just maintaining possession. Other options at that spot are Beasley himself, EJ, or even Donovan (and playing Zusi on the right). Wherever I'd put Donovan in the lineup, I'd have him swapping positions with Deuce regularly.
Supposing health, Holden would seem to be the better fit in the wing spot you've given to Torres. Stronger in possession and better vision.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
I don't think Gonzo is an autostart as long as he keeps making errors and Goodson is playing well. If I'm Klinsi, I'm playing the mind games with Omar. He needs to earn his spot.

Assuming a 4-2-3-1, my projected lineup as of right now is:

Howard

Evans, Goodson, Besler, Johnson

Bradley Jones

Donovan Deuce Torres

Altidore

Obviously Evans, Goodson, and Torres are the most tenuous positions. My thinking is that Beasley is still a bit of a liability at LB and that Johnson can provide the width going forward. For that reason, I'd start Torres because he'd be comfortable tucking inside and just maintaining possession. Other options at that spot are Beasley himself, EJ, or even Donovan (and playing Zusi on the right). Wherever I'd put Donovan in the lineup, I'd have him swapping positions with Deuce regularly.
:goodposting:

Yeah, I like the idea of LD and Deuce swapping, but with LD on the left and Zusi on the right as a more traditional winger. That way Johnson can overlap LD as a defensive winger/wingback on the left and Cameron can play on the right as part of a solid back 3. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out..

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Not sure if it was posted, but the Qatar WC was moved to November.

Also, Higuan press conference in Napoli was cancelled today, no reason given :oldunsure:

 
#### Qatar. And Rossi.

Looks like Barca put in no effort to keep Thiago. Stunning. http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=1506962&cc=5901
On Wednesday, Thiago's father Mazinho told La Xarxa his son "was close" to making the switch to Old Trafford, but the midfielder has appeared to contradict that opinion.

"The truth is that in no moment did United come to us and talk to us. It came from the press, it was always a lie," he told RAC1.

:confused:

 
#### Qatar. And Rossi.

Looks like Barca put in no effort to keep Thiago. Stunning. http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=1506962&cc=5901
On Wednesday, Thiago's father Mazinho told La Xarxa his son "was close" to making the switch to Old Trafford, but the midfielder has appeared to contradict that opinion.

"The truth is that in no moment did United come to us and talk to us. It came from the press, it was always a lie," he told RAC1.

:confused:
Beware all ITK.

 
The reason for the guy being this mad right now is probably the fact that the clause says he has to be released to a CL club for 40M and we are saying that the #### are not a CL team yet because they still haven´t qualified for the group stages.....
Arsenal...oof

Lol at ARSEnal being filtered

 
Last edited by a moderator:
The reason for the guy being this mad right now is probably the fact that the clause says he has to be released to a CL club for 40M and we are saying that the #### are not a CL team yet because they still haven´t qualified for the group stages.....
Arsenal...oof

Lol at ARSEnal being filtered
Ah, so that means that they've lied to the media. Henry's going to look like an idiot after that tweet if Arsenal get him for their 40M bid.

 
No lies...just no Champions League clubs have bid for him

And that's just people like us trying to figure things out. Nobody itk

 
Last edited by a moderator:
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause, though Liverpool is disputing that the requirements of it being a CL team are met, apparently based upon Arsenal having to play a qualifying tie in August before getting into the group stages. If so, good luck to Liverpool because that sounds like a loser of an argument unless the language is written very precisely.

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause, though Liverpool is disputing that the requirements of it being a CL team are met, apparently based upon Arsenal having to play a qualifying tie in August before getting into the group stages. If so, good luck to Liverpool because that sounds like a loser of an argument unless the language is written very precisely.
The Premier League has an arbitration process and I'd say that's where this is heading. Unless Arsenal are willing to cough up another £10M or so.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause, though Liverpool is disputing that the requirements of it being a CL team are met, apparently based upon Arsenal having to play a qualifying tie in August before getting into the group stages. If so, good luck to Liverpool because that sounds like a loser of an argument unless the language is written very precisely.
The Premier League has an arbitration process and I'd say that's where this is heading. Unless Arsenal are willing to cough up another £10M.
For 10M, I'd say a trip to an arbitrator is in order.

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause
There are no buyout clauses in England, he says that at the very beginning.

Poor Pep's brother thought he was in Spain :kicksrock:

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause, though Liverpool is disputing that the requirements of it being a CL team are met, apparently based upon Arsenal having to play a qualifying tie in August before getting into the group stages. If so, good luck to Liverpool because that sounds like a loser of an argument unless the language is written very precisely.
The Premier League has an arbitration process and I'd say that's where this is heading. Unless Arsenal are willing to cough up another £10M or so.
I have yet to see a reputable source come out with this information. I suspect it's horse####.

If Arsenal can convince Suarez to turn in a transfer request they can probably wiggle him loose for 45M. That's assuming RM don't get involved. If RM comes in that's where he will go.

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause
There are no buyout clauses in England, he says that at the very beginning.

Poor Pep's brother thought he was in Spain :kicksrock:
I'm sure that guy's a great solicitor, but I can't take any discussion of a contractual clause seriously when it appears evident that nobody has seen the clause in question. As near as I can tell, all anyone is going on is discussions either with the Suarez camp or with Liverpool where someone has characterized the clause. That isn't helpful.

It may be true that EPL contracts don't typically have buyout clauses, but if that means that a buyout clause can literally not be enforced in England as opposed to other EU nations (which would surprise me, frankly), I'd want to know why that is. Shear doesn't tell us.

I can also say that I'm a bit dubious from my experience with Roger Cossack on ESPN. I'm sure he was a great lawyer in his field, but he really butchered the analysis of the lockout antitrust case against the NFL a few years back.

 
I think 40 million is about the market for Suarez. There is no doubt that Suarez is a top talent, but last season was the first where he really finished consistently in a top league. So he doesn't have the long consistent record of goals that Cavani and Falcao have. His age is one aspect in his favor, but his temperament significantly drives down his value.

I think the perception is that if Suarez doesn't get the transfer he wants, he's likely to pull a Tevez. I think Madrid and Arsenal are banking on it. So maybe the number is really 45. But I don't buy that Cavani has "set the market."

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause
There are no buyout clauses in England, he says that at the very beginning.

Poor Pep's brother thought he was in Spain :kicksrock:
I'm sure that guy's a great solicitor, but I can't take any discussion of a contractual clause seriously when it appears evident that nobody has seen the clause in question. As near as I can tell, all anyone is going on is discussions either with the Suarez camp or with Liverpool where someone has characterized the clause. That isn't helpful.

It may be true that EPL contracts don't typically have buyout clauses, but if that means that a buyout clause can literally not be enforced in England as opposed to other EU nations (which would surprise me, frankly), I'd want to know why that is. Shear doesn't tell us.

I can also say that I'm a bit dubious from my experience with Roger Cossack on ESPN. I'm sure he was a great lawyer in his field, but he really butchered the analysis of the lockout antitrust case against the NFL a few years back.
I should also note that although the media is particularly unreliable on this, several reports about EPL players this transfer cycle have featured reported release clauses. Fellaini and Benteke come to mind.

 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause
There are no buyout clauses in England, he says that at the very beginning.

Poor Pep's brother thought he was in Spain :kicksrock:
I'm sure that guy's a great solicitor, but I can't take any discussion of a contractual clause seriously when it appears evident that nobody has seen the clause in question. As near as I can tell, all anyone is going on is discussions either with the Suarez camp or with Liverpool where someone has characterized the clause. That isn't helpful.

It may be true that EPL contracts don't typically have buyout clauses, but if that means that a buyout clause can literally not be enforced in England as opposed to other EU nations (which would surprise me, frankly), I'd want to know why that is. Shear doesn't tell us.

I can also say that I'm a bit dubious from my experience with Roger Cossack on ESPN. I'm sure he was a great lawyer in his field, but he really butchered the analysis of the lockout antitrust case against the NFL a few years back.
I should also note that although the media is particularly unreliable on this, several reports about EPL players this transfer cycle have featured reported release clauses. Fellaini and Benteke come to mind.
I agree that you have to take each individual report with a grain of salt unless it's from a reputable or official source and it's got attributed quotes. I do believe, however, that general meta-analysis works though. For example, while the precise status of the Higuain-to-Arsenal transfer talks were impossible to know, at least for now, we did know they were going on and apparently close to fruition, and then Arsenal seems to have backed off or balked.

 
#### Qatar. And Rossi.

Looks like Barca put in no effort to keep Thiago. Stunning. http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=1506962&cc=5901
On Wednesday, Thiago's father Mazinho told La Xarxa his son "was close" to making the switch to Old Trafford, but the midfielder has appeared to contradict that opinion.

"The truth is that in no moment did United come to us and talk to us. It came from the press, it was always a lie," he told RAC1.

:confused:
Beware all ITK.
Seems like effort = :moneybag:

 
I should also note that although the media is particularly unreliable on this, several reports about EPL players this transfer cycle have featured reported release clauses. Fellaini and Benteke come to mind.
I'm pretty sure Newcastle is still technically an EPL team.

A club statement said: "Newcastle United can confirm that Chelsea Football Club has made an official offer for Demba Ba which has triggered the release clause in the player’s contract."
 
An English sports lawyer type talks about that 40+1 clause and what it may actually mean. Clip is 10 minutes long, but the most relevant bit is the first couple.

His theory is that what the bid allows Arsenal to do is have direct talks with Suarez without Liverpool having to sign off on the discussions. This would allow the Gunners to find out what his salary requirements and etc would be.
It looks like it is indeed a release clause and not just an allowed-to-negotiate clause
There are no buyout clauses in England, he says that at the very beginning.Poor Pep's brother thought he was in Spain :kicksrock:
I'm sure that guy's a great solicitor, but I can't take any discussion of a contractual clause seriously when it appears evident that nobody has seen the clause in question. As near as I can tell, all anyone is going on is discussions either with the Suarez camp or with Liverpool where someone has characterized the clause. That isn't helpful.

It may be true that EPL contracts don't typically have buyout clauses, but if that means that a buyout clause can literally not be enforced in England as opposed to other EU nations (which would surprise me, frankly), I'd want to know why that is. Shear doesn't tell us.

I can also say that I'm a bit dubious from my experience with Roger Cossack on ESPN. I'm sure he was a great lawyer in his field, but he really butchered the analysis of the lockout antitrust case against the NFL a few years back.
I should also note that although the media is particularly unreliable on this, several reports about EPL players this transfer cycle have featured reported release clauses. Fellaini and Benteke come to mind.
He meant every contract in Spain has a buyout clause, even if it's astronomical. It's standard procedure there.

In England it's only present if it's negotiated into the contract, which it normally isn't.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
So again, it sounds particularly unhelpful.

It is possible that the clause only allows Arsenal to contact Suarez and discuss proposed personal terms without Liverpool's explicit permission (in the United States, doing this while knowing Suarez is under contract would be subject to a tortious interference suit and generally a "tampering" charge with whatever league). That appears to be Liverpool's position.

We've heard different from Suarez's camp.

And now we're hearing this silly "Champion's League" release clause rumor. That seems highly unlikely to me, because I can't believe that FSG, who are ably represented by counsel, would seriously argue with a straight face that "Champions League" really means "Champions League Group Stages".

 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's basically karma and the same thing Rodgers did to Allen. Meet the amount, talk to the player and offer big bucks, then of course he'll turn in a transfer request.

 
So again, it sounds particularly unhelpful.

It is possible that the clause only allows Arsenal to contact Suarez and discuss proposed personal terms without Liverpool's explicit permission (in the United States, doing this while knowing Suarez is under contract would be subject to a tortious interference suit and generally a "tampering" charge with whatever league). That appears to be Liverpool's position.

We've heard different from Suarez's camp.

And now we're hearing this silly "Champion's League" release clause rumor. That seems highly unlikely to me, because I can't believe that FSG, who are ably represented by counsel, would seriously argue with a straight face that "Champions League" really means "Champions League Group Stages".
The whole thing reminds me of Venky's and their complete misunderstanding of what a buyout clause was when United wanted to buy Phil Jones.

 
It's basically karma and the same thing Rodgers did to Allen. Meet the amount, talk to the player and offer big bucks, then of course he'll turn in a transfer request.
Everybody does it. It's detestable when it happens to your club and shrewd business when your club does it to someone else.

I would love to see it stopped, but I don't see how that can be done.

 
Suarez is not worth 40m, let alone 40m pounds.
In the current market and under long-term contract he just might be.

Anytime a new petro-dollar team pops up the market goes off-the-wall because they have to assemble an entirely new team. That's on top of the current petro-dollar teams that amass ridiculous amounts of bench talent. Throw on the Bayern's and the Real Madrid's and the current transfer prices seem a lot more explainable.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top