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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

The piece of the puzzle I have not yet understood is the finances.

College's will now be running programs 3 times as long, and will also lose what little financial support they had from the NCAA. I don't quite yet understand how US Soccer is going to be able to make up the financial difference which would likely be huge if the hoped for amount of schools decide to make the switch.
 
I totally forgot the Fire had a sell on % for Duran

=============

MLS has a new league-record outbound transfer: Jhon Duran at $30.7m.

Chicago Fire will receive a further $8.7m in a sell-on clause from Duran's transfer to Al-Nassr.

Breakdown fee:
- $18m up front
- $4m add-ons
- $8.7m sell-on
 
PSV v Juve is a bummer.
City vs RM isn't!

First legs

11/02: Brest vs Paris Saint-Germain (18:45 CET)
11/02: Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven
11/02: Manchester City vs Real Madrid
11/02: Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
12/02: Club Brugge vs Atalanta (18:45 CET)
12/02: Monaco vs Benfica
12/02: Celtic vs Bayern München
12/02: Feyenoord vs Milan
 
Seems AC Milan is not content with it's current 8th place. Added Gimenez from Feyenoord and Felix (loan) from Chelsea
Gimenez was almost a goal per game scorer in Eredivise, we'll see how that translates to Serie A. Meanwhile Felix hasn't really settled in anywhere over the past few years.
This kind of gives Milan an embarrassment of riches in the attack now.

Meanwhile 13th place Man United bring in two young defenders in Heaven and Dorgu as their major moves as it seems they are content with their place in the standings and that they have no strikers that can put the biscuit in the basket. Watching them flounder around vs Palace, who owns them now, was about the end of this season for them. I can't see them finishing above 10th and a 12-15th place finish is quite likely. This is about as bad as it gets.
 
guru_007 said:
Meanwhile 13th place Man United bring in two young defenders in Heaven and Dorgu as their major moves as it seems they are content with their place in the standings and that they have no strikers that can put the biscuit in the basket. Watching them flounder around vs Palace, who owns them now, was about the end of this season for them. I can't see them finishing above 10th and a 12-15th place finish is quite likely. This is about as bad as it gets.
Click to expand...
Not having a true goal scorer is going to be a problem for the rest of the season for sure, but part of their lack of scoring is the lack of good service. If Dorgu can be that proper left sided wingback and can provide better service, then we might see a little more in front of goal.

With the Martinez injury I hope Heaven is ready. Can't really count on Lindelof and Evans week in and out. Might even see more Maz in the back although I'd rather him as the RWB over Dalot. Supposedly Shaw is back in training so maybe he plays LCB.

United are a mess. But I like what Amorim is doing. He needs to break this team from what they've been doing the last few years. ETH tried to take the power back and gave in to get wins. Amorim needs to take the power back and might have to sacrifice wins to win in the long term. Sticking to his philosophy is the way to do that. Buy in or good bye.
 
Martinez injury is a problem, but it will also probably force them to change formation a bit.
And I don't feel that United's scoring problem is for lack of service. Amad created the most chances of any player in the entire premier league this weekend with 6.
The fact that they didn't play with a striker for the first 60-70 minutes probably had something to do with it though.
And twitter made me laugh today as they do player profiles on strength's and weaknesses of individual players. For R. Hojlund (obviosouly not to be confused with his brother) they stated "This player has no visible strengths." That seems about right.
Also saw something that United has two senior strikers on their current squad. Going from memory here, but Hojlund with no goals in 14 games, Zirzkee with no goals in 12 games and they are chasing Tel who has zero goals in 14 games :wall:
I am curious as to why they didn't go after Gyorekes. Guy is a goal a game (or more) player, and obviously Amorim is familiar with him. CAn't believe he was like, nah, we good.
 
Oh, one other thing that I failed to mention was watching the Leverkusen/Hoffenheim game and, first and foremost Bundesliga wins at VAR, far and away the most effective, quickest and most accurate. And during the game Hoffenheim was called for a penalty. But VAR overturned it. That in and of itself is nothing new. However, the ref, got on the mic and explained to the crowd WHY it was overturned, a VAR first. And this is really how it should be. Was very refreshing and kind of like the NFL explaining an overturned call. No idea why no league has done this sooner.
 
guru_007 said:
Oh, one other thing that I failed to mention was watching the Leverkusen/Hoffenheim game and, first and foremost Bundesliga wins at VAR, far and away the most effective, quickest and most accurate. And during the game Hoffenheim was called for a penalty. But VAR overturned it. That in and of itself is nothing new. However, the ref, got on the mic and explained to the crowd WHY it was overturned, a VAR first. And this is really how it should be. Was very refreshing and kind of like the NFL explaining an overturned call. No idea why no league has done this sooner.
Click to expand...
Iirc, they did this in one FA or caribou cup game this year...
 
guru_007 said:
Martinez injury is a problem, but it will also probably force them to change formation a bit.
And I don't feel that United's scoring problem is for lack of service. Amad created the most chances of any player in the entire premier league this weekend with 6.
The fact that they didn't play with a striker for the first 60-70 minutes probably had something to do with it though.
And twitter made me laugh today as they do player profiles on strength's and weaknesses of individual players. For R. Hojlund (obviosouly not to be confused with his brother) they stated "This player has no visible strengths." That seems about right.
Also saw something that United has two senior strikers on their current squad. Going from memory here, but Hojlund with no goals in 14 games, Zirzkee with no goals in 12 games and they are chasing Tel who has zero goals in 14 games :wall:
I am curious as to why they didn't go after Gyorekes. Guy is a goal a game (or more) player, and obviously Amorim is familiar with him. CAn't believe he was like, nah, we good.
Click to expand...
I don't see them changing formation. Amorim is pushing it as either a learn it or goodbye. So a combo of Maz, Yoro, Maguire, De ligt will be the back 3. Lindelof has been on the bench, Evans is still there. Supposedly Shaw is back in training and if healthy can be the LCB as well. Maybe Heaven is ready to step in. Dorgu can also play there although they need him as the left wingback more.

But I agree, and am not saying they don't serve, just there are a lot of players who aren't or aren't good at it. Amad and Bruno do. Garnacho is starting to (and hopefully develops the sense of when to shoot and when to serve). Martinez was, but ouch.

None of their strikers are scoring for sure and that is a bigger issue. And unless Bruno or Amad score, there are not a lot of goals coming and that is their issue. Scoring. Vs CP they were on the front foot getting corners, hit the post, Henderson made some good saves. No goals. And not sure at this point that Zirzee or Hojlund would have scored.

Oh and as far as Gyorekes, I am guessing there's an agreement they won't poach anyone from there this window. I am more wondering why they (or anyone) hasn't gone back in for Oshimen?
 
From Bogert:

Atlanta United have completed a new MLS league-record transfer to sign center forward Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, per sources.

Atlanta will pay a fee of $22 million plus add-ons, the biggest deal in MLS history
 
Yearly reminder of how important today is to the footballing world! Some great players born today.

Happy Birthday to: CR7, Neymar, B Maverick, Tevez, Hagi, Januzaj, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Stefan de Vrij, Jesper Blomqvist, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Billy Sharp, Paul Arriola,

I think CR7 is 40 today. 🐐
 
B Maverick said:
Yearly reminder of how important today is to the footballing world! Some great players born today.

Happy Birthday to: CR7, Neymar, B Maverick, Tevez, Hagi, Januzaj, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Stefan de Vrij, Jesper Blomqvist, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Billy Sharp, Paul Arriola,

I think CR7 is 40 today. 🐐
Click to expand...

Happy bday, bmav!
 
El Floppo said:
B Maverick said:
Yearly reminder of how important today is to the footballing world! Some great players born today.

Happy Birthday to: CR7, Neymar, B Maverick, Tevez, Hagi, Januzaj, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Stefan de Vrij, Jesper Blomqvist, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Billy Sharp, Paul Arriola,

I think CR7 is 40 today. 🐐
Click to expand...

Happy bday, bmav!
Click to expand...
Thanks brother...

I do have to say I love the soccer threads in this forum. So much knowledge of the game in here and good discussions worth having, even when disagreeing.


:banned: to you all!!


Futbol is Life!!
 
I think already covered, but Neymar back to Santos is kinda cool.
I saw the first ever match at RB Arena- it was RBs vs Santos with a really young (IIRC, 17yo) Neymar. Harrison is a Brazilian immigrant hotbed, and every time he touched the ball the entire stadium erupted. I had heard the name, but didn't really have a clue.

Also kinda cool- Willian is back with Fulham... maybe to be partnered with Jedi how he used to be (very successfully).
 
And here is the FA CUP 5th Rd Draw....

FA Cup Full Fifth Round Draw
Home Team Away Team
Preston North End v Burnley
Aston Villa v Cardiff City
Doncaster Rovers / Crystal Palace v Millwall
Manchester United v Fulham
Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle
Exeter City / Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town
 
It is absolutely uncanny how players leave United and just are stars elsewhere.
Elanga been tremendous for Nottingham Forest
McTomminay gonna win the league in Italy.
Martial already top 5 in scoring in Greece
Greenwood second top scorer Ligue 1
and now....
Antony scores again for Real Betis, second goal in three games as he was voted as Man of the Match on his first two appearances.
 
guru_007 said:
It is absolutely uncanny how players leave United and just are stars elsewhere.
Elanga been tremendous for Nottingham Forest
McTomminay gonna win the league in Italy.
Martial already top 5 in scoring in Greece
Greenwood second top scorer Ligue 1
and now....
Antony scores again for Real Betis, second goal in three games as he was voted as Man of the Match on his first two appearances.
Click to expand...
A little misleading...

Elanga should have been kept. He'd probably be enjoying his time now, like Amad.
McTominay is doing for Napoli exactly what he did at United. Napoli is just in an easier league.
Martial had so much potential and I wish he had been better. BUT ITS GREECE.
Greenwood, well that's a sad story. He was a star at United but the off field just made it so he couldn't stay.
Antony scored in his first few at United too. Let's see what happens before he is "starring elsewhere"


But regardless I do hope they succeed where they are. Sometimes the United shirt is to heavy for some. :boxing:
 
guru_007 said:
It is absolutely uncanny how players leave United and just are stars elsewhere.
Elanga been tremendous for Nottingham Forest
McTomminay gonna win the league in Italy.
Martial already top 5 in scoring in Greece
Greenwood second top scorer Ligue 1
and now....
Antony scores again for Real Betis, second goal in three games as he was voted as Man of the Match on his first two appearances.
Click to expand...

Rashford hat trick for Villa seems imminent
 
CletiusMaximus said:
guru_007 said:
It is absolutely uncanny how players leave United and just are stars elsewhere.
Elanga been tremendous for Nottingham Forest
McTomminay gonna win the league in Italy.
Martial already top 5 in scoring in Greece
Greenwood second top scorer Ligue 1
and now....
Antony scores again for Real Betis, second goal in three games as he was voted as Man of the Match on his first two appearances.
Click to expand...

Rashford hat trick for Villa seems imminent
Click to expand...
I mentioned, but he looked great in his first appearance. With a little time to get used to his teammates he's primed for some good things.
 
The Saudi ambassador to the UK has confirmed there will be no alcohol sold at World Cup 2034. Not to be confused with Qatar, where there was no alcohol served in the stadiums during games but it was available in designated "fan zones" and at hotels, clubs, etc. In Saudi, there will be no alcohol available for sale anywhere during the tournament.

"At the moment, we don't allow alcohol," Prince Khalid told LBC.

"Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol - it's not 100% necessary and if you want to drink after you leave, you're welcome to, but at the moment we don't have alcohol."

Asked whether that meant fans would be able to drink once they returned their hotels, as was the case at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he added: "No, there is no alcohol at all.

"Rather like our weather, it's a dry country.
Click to expand...

Its probably the least concern anyone should have with a Saudi world cup, and I don't necessarily disagree with the guy that visitors should be prepared to accept the host's cultural norms, but is still a pretty interesting topic.

www.bbc.com

2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia will not allow any alcohol during tournament says ambassador

No alcohol will be allowed at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, says the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
www.bbc.com
 
CletiusMaximus said:
The Saudi ambassador to the UK has confirmed there will be no alcohol sold at World Cup 2034. Not to be confused with Qatar, where there was no alcohol served in the stadiums during games but it was available in designated "fan zones" and at hotels, clubs, etc. In Saudi, there will be no alcohol available for sale anywhere during the tournament.

"At the moment, we don't allow alcohol," Prince Khalid told LBC.

"Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol - it's not 100% necessary and if you want to drink after you leave, you're welcome to, but at the moment we don't have alcohol."

Asked whether that meant fans would be able to drink once they returned their hotels, as was the case at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he added: "No, there is no alcohol at all.

"Rather like our weather, it's a dry country.
Click to expand...

Its probably the least concern anyone should have with a Saudi world cup, and I don't necessarily disagree with the guy that visitors should be prepared to accept the host's cultural norms, but is still a pretty interesting topic.

www.bbc.com

2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia will not allow any alcohol during tournament says ambassador

No alcohol will be allowed at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, says the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
www.bbc.com
Click to expand...
I understand the whole cultural norms thing, but without getting too political, this is only one of the terrible reasons why Saudi shouldn't be hosting a WC. FIFA can and will do whatever they want, but if I were a FIFA sponsor that sold or distributed any kind of alcohol, I'd be very upset.....

I do notice that he said "at the moment" making me think FIFA has already pushed them on this given some of their biggest sponsors. Wouldn't surprise me if they capitulated like Qatar did and set up "fan zones" for such things.
 
I mean 9 years out I would assume Budweiser would have a break clause, and/or be able to advertise Bud Light and/or some other watered down crap that passes as non-alcoholic beer
 
titusbramble said:
I mean 9 years out I would assume Budweiser would have a break clause, and/or be able to advertise Bud Light and/or some other watered down crap that passes as non-alcoholic beer
Click to expand...
I think the issue is more that Budweiser has been a FIFA sponsor for over 50 years(and one of their largest every year). I imagine it would be difficult for Budweiser to continue their partnership if FIFA didn't do something to make this work. Maybe FIFA is ok with that now? Maybe Saudi has made or has promised to make sponsorship deals going forward that make the loss of Budweiser/other alcohol companies moot?
 
encaitar said:
titusbramble said:
I mean 9 years out I would assume Budweiser would have a break clause, and/or be able to advertise Bud Light and/or some other watered down crap that passes as non-alcoholic beer
Click to expand...
I think the issue is more that Budweiser has been a FIFA sponsor for over 50 years(and one of their largest every year). I imagine it would be difficult for Budweiser to continue their partnership if FIFA didn't do something to make this work. Maybe FIFA is ok with that now? Maybe Saudi has made or has promised to make sponsorship deals going forward that make the loss of Budweiser/other alcohol companies moot?
Click to expand...

I imagine they just end up doing exactly what Heineken and others do when Champions League games (and anything else for that matter) are played in France, and just advertise either their 0% brand, or just use a logo which at least was kosher
 
So the sad thing is people want to blame Amorim for not changing his system to fit the players. Although I have always been a proponent of fitting your system to the team, in this case I am backing Amorim. Changing the system and catering to the players for a few wins is what got United to this point. Player power to big, nothing ever improves, they just continue along as is. Now a manager is forcing them to buy in or get out. And it has looked horrible as player after player is exposed. And yes it is horrible to watch. But it has to change or it will never be more than Europa and the FA Cup. If INEOS, who forced Amorim to join now knowing this was his plan, then sacks him, they are just more Glazer than football fan.

Plus its not Amorim's fault that Garnacho is not clinical in front of goal.
 
The Z Machine said:
Desert_Power said:
McBokonon said:
Desert_Power said:
Barca back on top of La Liga after their awful spell in Nov/Dec :thumbup:
Click to expand...
These guys can always find another lever when they need one.
Click to expand...
Still don't trust Szczęsny, but he settled in after a wild start.
Click to expand...
Let's all hope he regresses.

But 1 point separating 3 teams through 24 matches? Not a bad title race.
Click to expand...
None of the sides seem particularly elite which probably means another CL for Real or something.

Bilbao hanging in there too
 
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