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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (10 Viewers)

Quiz time! Name the manager who just delivered this quote and the player he was talking about (I'll put the answer in a spoiler block).

“I think you do not have a better English player. Technically, he is as good as you get. The way he executes, how he reads the game, for me he is one of the most sensational you are going to see in Premier League history.

“I wouldn’t sell him for any money in the current market. I want to see him go from strength to strength because I know there is so much more to come.”
Roberto Martinez on Tom Cleverly!
 
Sounds like a foreign manager...

Pelligrini doesn't seem to say much along these lines in the press

Klopp -- possible

Wenger -- possible, and someone RMH would definitely have seen

LvG -- possible but United aren't really a selling club

That guy at Tottenham -- possible, and he's got some good young English players

Martinez -- possible

Ranieri -- possible, but Vardy just re-signed and at 29 kind of doesn't make sense in context

Probably forgetting someone, but I think that covers most of the bigger clubs. I'm assuming it's someone currently AT a club (rather than someone like Pep) since he's talking about selling one of his players.

Let's keep Klopp, Pochettino, Wenger and Martinez.

The way RMH set the Q up, it's obviously a relatively poor English player though -- not a good one. Which, sadly, makes Klopp and Martinez more likely than Wenger or Pochettino.

I don't really know Everton and Liverpool kind of makes more sense for our thread (do we even have any Everton fans here?), so I'll say Klopp, and the player is...Ibe?

ETA: yeah, I'd have never got that one.

 
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Looking forward to this weekend...Napoli @ Juve, Leicester City-Arsenal, & Tottenham-Man City. Napoli travel to Juventus without their fans, thanks to a ban. Despite my Serie A bias, this game should be exceptional for neutrals also...both teams are in incredible form. Napoli has an embarrasment of riches upfront: Higuain, Insigne, & Callejon, with Mertens & Gabbiadini on the bench. Forza Avanti vs old-school psuedo-Catenaccio...interesting to see how it plays out. Higuain has 24 goals in 24 games; an insane pace for Serie A. He has already bettered Serie A's top scorer(s) last year by 2, with 13 games to go.

 
:wall: The big :fro: starts again for United. Had a few decent passes but again has no vision, pace, skill or ability to fight through a defender to win a header. One cross even hit him in the head and he couldnt do anything with it.

I know most online fans and pundits are crushing Memphis and its partially deserved. Very poor ball into space and no hustle back on defense. But the goal was scored with Blind slipping when he followed Terry away from the box leaving Costa open for the pass. Sadly, If CBJ doesnt slide costa, De Gea may have made the save.

Lingard with a great goal. Curtouis and De Gea both showed why they are in the top 3 GKs in the world.

I have to say the announcers did make me chuckle a couple times.

"Fellaini is looking dangerous in the air" uhhhh, no hes not. Hes never close to winning a header.

"Costa is close to getting booked for dissent" uhhh, no hes not. He NEVER gets booked for decent even after charging both the ref and the assistant ref screaming at them, then diving at the top of the box. Its Costa after all.

But, at the end a draw was probably deserved as both teams had their chances and it was a better game to watch then United has produced lately.

 
Looking forward to this weekend...Napoli @ Juve, Leicester City-Arsenal, & Tottenham-Man City. Napoli travel to Juventus without their fans, thanks to a ban. Despite my Serie A bias, this game should be exceptional for neutrals also...both teams are in incredible form. Napoli has an embarrasment of riches upfront: Higuain, Insigne, & Callejon, with Mertens & Gabbiadini on the bench. Forza Avanti vs old-school psuedo-Catenaccio...interesting to see how it plays out. Higuain has 24 goals in 24 games; an insane pace for Serie A. He has already bettered Serie A's top scorer(s) last year by 2, with 13 games to go.
my inter are in a nose dive.

 
Looking forward to this weekend...Napoli @ Juve, Leicester City-Arsenal, & Tottenham-Man City. Napoli travel to Juventus without their fans, thanks to a ban. Despite my Serie A bias, this game should be exceptional for neutrals also...both teams are in incredible form. Napoli has an embarrasment of riches upfront: Higuain, Insigne, & Callejon, with Mertens & Gabbiadini on the bench. Forza Avanti vs old-school psuedo-Catenaccio...interesting to see how it plays out. Higuain has 24 goals in 24 games; an insane pace for Serie A. He has already bettered Serie A's top scorer(s) last year by 2, with 13 games to go.
my inter are in a nose dive.
...an Italian "nose" at that...Just like old times GB; Mancini's Inter vs Spaletti's Roma, except this time it's for the final CL spot, instead of the Scudetto. You know...beggars, choosers, & all that tripe.
 
My Revs finally signed what looked to be a good player and then this happens. Whoops. I assume he was signed only to a pre-contract so they can back out of the deal if needed. It might give Jermaine Jones a shot now to get signed.

Mr. Oli @aulit_z

Xavier Kouassi, who is set to join New England Revolution in summer, has suffered a torn ACL and MCL. He'll miss 6 months.

4:53 PM - 8 Feb 2016

 
Kafka posted that Courtois and De Gea are two of the top 3 goalies in the world. Who's the other, Cech, Neuer?

Top 3 seems a bit much, but maybe he's right.

 
Kafka posted that Courtois and De Gea are two of the top 3 goalies in the world. Who's the other, Cech, Neuer?

Top 3 seems a bit much, but maybe he's right.
Neuer is pretty much universally considered #1. Lloris is probably the other contender for the top 5 other than who you've mentioned, although its not as if Buffon has slipped all that much himself. Oblak is probably forcing himself into the conversation.

 
Oblak is doing well, but his super low goals allowed number is at least half to do with the guys on front of him and the tactics Simeone employs. He's not on the level of De Gea or Courtois (yet).

 
DeGea has had a great season - with Cech, best in the PL as far as I've seen this season, but the game this weekend kind of reminded me of Howard's game for the US against Belgium - lots of impressive looking saves, but none that you wouldn't expect a good GK to make. Put another way, you'd be disappointed if he'd let any of those in. Certainly the several near-post shots (Costa's late one, earlier one, I think from Cesc or Oscar?) are saves he has to make. The save on Ivanovich's volley that's making the highlight shows seems like one of those where it looks more impressive because he leaps wildly to punch it over, whereas he could have just stood firm and it would have looked much easier.

Generally, a crap first half, very exciting second half. In the context of Chelsea's crap season, probably happy to get a point against United, even though I thought Chelsea had several great chances where they shot right at DeGea.

edit: also, Zouma - so sad for him, will miss the Euro in France and could affect his career permanently. His screams were the worst thing I've seen in some time.

 
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DeGea does have a bit of a tendency to Hollywood a few saves, IMO. Not a big deal. No harm, no foul.

Cech has probably been even better than advertised for Arsenal. After the mistakes in the opener, he's been nearly flawless. I don't know how many points he's saved, but he's been a huge help.

I thought that Courtois had a rough first half of the season even considering the injury, but he seems to be back to close to his best. He's so good at one on ones because he's just enormous.

Lloris is a lot like Cech. Not really flashy, but very, very good. Tottenham looks like the most complete team in the EPL to me, and Lloris is part of that. He's not going to gift you a cheap one. Like Cech, part of what makes Lloris so good is that he snuffs out things before a chance can be created. It's not a matter of speed, just of being alert and reading the game.

 
DFB Pokal quarterfinals are today and tomorrow. (current position in the table)

2/9

Werder Bremen (16) at Bayer Leverkusen (5)

Borussia Dortmund (2) at Stuttgart (12)

2/10

Hertha Berlin (3) at Heidenheim (8 in BL2)

Bayern München (1) at Bochum (5 in BL2)

 
CletiusMaximus said:
DeGea has had a great season - with Cech, best in the PL as far as I've seen this season, but the game this weekend kind of reminded me of Howard's game for the US against Belgium - lots of impressive looking saves, but none that you wouldn't expect a good GK to make. Put another way, you'd be disappointed if he'd let any of those in. Certainly the several near-post shots (Costa's late one, earlier one, I think from Cesc or Oscar?) are saves he has to make. The save on Ivanovich's volley that's making the highlight shows seems like one of those where it looks more impressive because he leaps wildly to punch it over, whereas he could have just stood firm and it would have looked much easier.

Generally, a crap first half, very exciting second half. In the context of Chelsea's crap season, probably happy to get a point against United, even though I thought Chelsea had several great chances where they shot right at DeGea.

edit: also, Zouma - so sad for him, will miss the Euro in France and could affect his career permanently. His screams were the worst thing I've seen in some time.
hmmm... I thought the three DeGea saves were all above and beyond the normal call of duty. the Ivanovich save... IMO not hollywooding- just reacting. I don't want my GK flatfooted when the ball's bouncing around in front of him- ever; I want him ready to pounce, which puts him on his toes and hoppy. That save was freaking amazing. The one at the death... pretty impressive in a non-hollywood way. sooo tough to get those balls down low just off the feet- that's where I always aimed when I was through on the GK- they can't kick-save them, and most of the guys aren't fast/strong enough to get any other part of their body down there to make the save. DeGea made it look easy.

and yeah- Zouma... hate seeing a guy go out in genuine pain. that looked brutal. haven't heard it mentioned- but didn't the Fro give him a nudge as he went by? seemed that way to me at first watch, but I havn't really seen it again. looked like that could have caused Zouma to get wrong-footed on the landing.

 
The Premier League is dropping the sponsor in their name starting in the 2016/2017 season. The unveiled their new logo today.
Was thinking the other day about this, good move.
I suspect it's just because prospective title sponsors haven't met the asking price yet.

Not a fan of the font. Modern sans serif font conflicts with the magisterial image.
Possibly, but they've said they want a "clean" brand, like American leagues.

 
Cletus, Native, CCGRider et al...who would you prefer to be Chelsea's next manager?..an impressive list; Simeone, Allegri, Conte & Pellegrini seem to be the lead contenders...

 
I don't want to see Pellegrini as our coach, he has let YaYa be YaYa during his tenure there and that would spell doom if Costa was under even less control.

Massimiliano Allegri is an interesting option if he really is leaving Juve, but I'm not sure the current roster sets up well for counter attacking football. (sounds like he is the front runner)

Simeone would be choice 1 for me, pair him with Costa and maybe bring over Greizman? Sign me up.

Conte I don't see leaving the Italian national team yet. :shrug:

 
The Premier League is dropping the sponsor in their name starting in the 2016/2017 season. The unveiled their new logo today.
Was thinking the other day about this, good move.
I suspect it's just because prospective title sponsors haven't met the asking price yet.

Not a fan of the font. Modern sans serif font conflicts with the magisterial image.
Possibly, but they've said they want a "clean" brand, like American leagues.
This commie thread is probably the wrong place to ask but do American sports leagues have title sponsors?

 
The Premier League is dropping the sponsor in their name starting in the 2016/2017 season. The unveiled their new logo today.
Was thinking the other day about this, good move.
I suspect it's just because prospective title sponsors haven't met the asking price yet.

Not a fan of the font. Modern sans serif font conflicts with the magisterial image.
Possibly, but they've said they want a "clean" brand, like American leagues.
This commie thread is probably the wrong place to ask but do American sports leagues have title sponsors?
MLS is some kind of real-estate thing.

 
The Premier League is dropping the sponsor in their name starting in the 2016/2017 season. The unveiled their new logo today.
Was thinking the other day about this, good move.
I suspect it's just because prospective title sponsors haven't met the asking price yet.

Not a fan of the font. Modern sans serif font conflicts with the magisterial image.
Possibly, but they've said they want a "clean" brand, like American leagues.
This commie thread is probably the wrong place to ask but do American sports leagues have title sponsors?
MLS is some kind of real-estate thing.
Hopefully, with its continual grass-roots growth, it'll become some kind of third-estate thing...
 
The Premier League is dropping the sponsor in their name starting in the 2016/2017 season. The unveiled their new logo today.
Was thinking the other day about this, good move.
I suspect it's just because prospective title sponsors haven't met the asking price yet.

Not a fan of the font. Modern sans serif font conflicts with the magisterial image.
Possibly, but they've said they want a "clean" brand, like American leagues.
I can see this - plus with the new TV revenues they are bringing in, its not like a league sponsor is going to make much difference.

 
Every time I write "BPL", I think "British Premiere League" not "Barclay's Premiere League." With Welsh teams in, calling it the EPL seems inaccurate. Do I have to just call it the PL now. The Prem? That overrated league that we can all watch on NBC?

 
Every time I write "BPL", I think "British Premiere League" not "Barclay's Premiere League." With Welsh teams in, calling it the EPL seems inaccurate. Do I have to just call it the PL now. The Prem? That overrated league that we can all watch on NBC?
lol- I think the same.

it would be great if some US big-brand group like McDs or Starbucks sponsored the PL. Or Chef Boyardee.

 
Every time I write "BPL", I think "British Premiere League" not "Barclay's Premiere League." With Welsh teams in, calling it the EPL seems inaccurate. Do I have to just call it the PL now. The Prem? That overrated league that we can all watch on NBC?
lol- I think the same.

it would be great if some US big-brand group like McDs or Starbucks sponsored the PL. Or Chef Boyardee.
I'd rather see them go local with Maltesers, Walker's Crisps or Samuel Smith Taddy Porter. Do they still make MG's?

 
Every time I write "BPL", I think "British Premiere League" not "Barclay's Premiere League." With Welsh teams in, calling it the EPL seems inaccurate. Do I have to just call it the PL now. The Prem? That overrated league that we can all watch on NBC?
lol- I think the same.

it would be great if some US big-brand group like McDs or Starbucks sponsored the PL. Or Chef Boyardee.
I'd rather see them go local with Maltesers, Walker's Crisps or Samuel Smith Taddy Porter. Do they still make MG's?
That weiner-dog that continuously prowls the sideline during all PL games should be the new logo, instead of that cowardly lion.
 
Cletus, Native, CCGRider et al...who would you prefer to be Chelsea's next manager?..an impressive list; Simeone, Allegri, Conte & Pellegrini seem to be the lead contenders...
Those seem to be the strongest rumored candidates. I have no preference, don't really know what to expect from all of them and don't feel qualified to have a strong opinion as to which would be best.

 
Looks like DC United is contemplating making a formal tampering charge against Orlando City.

The speculation is that while DC was negotiating with Nocerino from AC Milan, that Kaka might have picked up the phone to convince his old team mate to come to Orlando instead.

MLS, for good or bad, still holds on to the ideal that they do not want their teams to bid against each other for a player.

Orlando has been told to stop talking to Nocerino but the damage might already be done.

FWIW, it does not sound like DC was very close to signing him.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-orlando-city-trade-talks-dc-united-antonio-nocerino-20160209-story.html

Orlando City is in talks to acquire the discovery rights to AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino.

D.C. United owns the 30-year-old Italian’s MLS rights, but it is willing to make a trade with Orlando City, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. A source confirmed the two teams have been in trade discussions.

 
I didn't know that being a footy guy made you a commie but I'm comfortable with the designation. Even though it means that Ann Coulter was right.

 
in other massive MLS news, the RBs signed a Ghanaian international (where he's a teammate of lloyd sam) Baah to replace Mazda. Comes from Helsinki, where he got some Europa league action.

 

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