roadkill1292
Footballguy
I read that Tuchel had problems getting along with management wherever he's been but is Dortmund really going to find someone significantly better to replace him?
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ramsay Hunt Experience
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El Floppo
Footballguy
if he got minutes there, that would be an amazing fit.Tottenham would be ideal for Pulisic - but he would probably be a starter at Liverpool.
We have talked about it at SC - Pulisic would be the ideal back-up to both Dele and Eriksen when Spurs play the 3421. But he would really only be guaranteed starts in Cup matches, and the 1st three CL matches (Dele is suspended). He would almost certainly see 50+ appearances at Tottenham though.
Didn't I read that Reus had a significant injury in the last game? If so, that would seem to open up a starting slot for Pulisic for the foreseeable future at Dortmund, no matter who the manger will be. So, I can't see Dortmund wanting to sell this summer.
he'd have Kane, Son, Ericson, Alli for sure ahead of him (Kane and Erickson are obviously different positions- but just terms of attacking players who would be on the field most of the time). who else is playing that role that he'd have to beat out for minutes?
El Floppo
Footballguy
agreed. they've got as exciting a young group of players anywhere on the planet... and play a fun, attacking style that draws in neutrals like me. they seemed on the ascendancy... new coach- pushes them to the next level (legitimately fighting BM they way AM has done in Spain over the last several years) by... ????? new tactical system? new players? if it's just to continue on with the same guys- I don't see the point (other than whatever drama tuchel brought) of the change.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Spurs played most of the matches in the 2nd half of the season as a 3421. I actually think Pulisic could pressure Eriksen for playing time. But, in that line-up, you have Dele playing more of a shadow striker, and Eriksen as a 10/creator - and that is where I think Pulisic has potential. Its slightly different than say an Ozil - who is really just a creator. Eriksen's position requires someone who is a scoring threat and a passing threat. (Yes, I know Ozil can score - but his primary role is to create).
Son gives Spurs a lot of flexibility - he can play for Kane (or Dele), or Spurs can switch to a 4231 - in which case, Pulisic could play any of the 3. Lamela is the other player in the equation - but he has missed more time than he has played over the last 3 seasons.
For me - I think Pulisic could come in now, and play for either Dele or Eriksen, and then when Dele goes off to Madrid in a couple of years, Pulisic steps into that position.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I know the common wisdom on Wenger is he promotes an attractive style, but is that really the case anymore? He gets credit for playing this beautiful brand of football, but I think that's a vestige of Bergkamp and Henry. The last several years in particular, Arsenal has played far from "must-watch" football for a neutral imo.
I think some of that is down to the players...he certainly plays a more attractive brand than Jose. I know winning is important - but Jose really sucks the life out of a game.
I do wonder if Wenger saved his job by switching tactics late in the season to the ever-popular 3-man back - obviously he had to win, but I think maybe he also had to show some tactical diversity.
If Arsenal can keep Ozil and Sanchez, they could be a dark horse next season, as they can coast through the Europa group stage and concentrate on the league in the fall. If they lose Sanchez, I think they will struggle to replace him in the line-up, and even a cushy Europa schedule won't help.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
LFC has apparently signed Dominic Solanke - 19 year old center forward - so not exactly the same position as CP but probably still competing for minutes and opportunities in the mix with Sturridge and Firmino. http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10898613/chelseas-dominic-solanke-agrees-to-join-liverpool
shader
Footballguy
I agree he needs to play. Rumor is Coutinho will move back and play a bit deeper next year. He did that a few times towards the end of the season.
I agree he might not be in the first XI...but he would be close and with a lot of games, I'd see him play about as much as he played in Dortmund. If Klopp spent money on him, I guarantee he'd play him.
shader
Footballguy
From what I can tell, he's been one of Chelsea's brightest youth products. But I mean, who really knows with these kids. He is playing right now in the U-20 WC for England and scored 7 goals as a 17-18 year old in the Eredevisie.
My opinion is that Klopp signed him as an upgrade to Ings. Two straight years Ings has been the 4th striker and has blown his ACL. So that's a pretty good upgrade at a very cheap price.
Don't think he'll compete with Firmino/Origi right away.
Most LFC fans think that the team is still looking for an elite striker. If one is signed, Sturridge will be sold, if one isn't signed, Sturridge will be retained.
shader
Footballguy
I agree that if they are able to salvage their team and get a few key additions, they could challenge for the title.
But if Sanchez and Ozil jump ship, who knows what could happen. It's hard for me to imagine a big group of players abandoning Wenger imo, but who knows.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
he played a ton at Dortmund, mix of starting and subbing. I believe he had the 3rd most appearances on the entire team. I don't see that happening at Liverpool.
shader
Footballguy
I think he would be backup #1 on the wing for LIV or Spurs. Ideal backup and would get 50 appearances easily imo. I don't think he breaks through in the starting lineup with LIV unless Firmino plays up top and Pulisic/Mane were the wingers with Coutinho taking a deeper role.Tottenham would be ideal for Pulisic - but he would probably be a starter at Liverpool.
We have talked about it at SC - Pulisic would be the ideal back-up to both Dele and Eriksen when Spurs play the 3421. But he would really only be guaranteed starts in Cup matches, and the 1st three CL matches (Dele is suspended). He would almost certainly see 50+ appearances at Tottenham though.
Didn't I read that Reus had a significant injury in the last game? If so, that would seem to open up a starting slot for Pulisic for the foreseeable future at Dortmund, no matter who the manger will be. So, I can't see Dortmund wanting to sell this summer.
shader
Footballguy
I agree for him the best case scenario was staying at Dortmund under Tuchel. But since Tuchel is gone....who knows what the future manager will do? I think he'd play a ton at LIV, Tott or Arsenal if he wanted to play in the EPL.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
nothing official from what I can see but some tweets are indicating Lucien Favre has agreed to terms with Dortmund to be their new head coach.
charvik
Footballguy
not sure that is a given... plenty of strong teams in Europe that could use a speedy left(/right) winger, especially those that has stars with major injury issues (and generally despised by fans), have aging players that could be locked up for soliciting 16 yr old prostitutes at any time, teams with solid defenses that will run away with their league etc etc
ETA: Pretty sure Arsenal would be off the list of destinations, considering Wenger signing for another 2 years.
ETA2: I can see city needing him too... they need someone speedy on the wing that can actually score.
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charvik
Footballguy
Actually, he creates a lot more playing deeper in the midfield. He has played further up the pitch out of necessity, and the hope is that this summer's business will enable him to move further back.
This summer will be critical for the Klopp project. A lot of roles need depth, and it's going to be difficult to accomplish that even with a transfer kitty rumored around 150-200 million pounds.
ETA: https://twitter.com/sportingintel/status/868209455317626880/photo/1 need to have a couple of names in this list, but who knows how many more Manchester buys will come in this summer.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Anyone feel like wandering into the Frank Deford thread? RIP to Frank, but in my mind he represents the old guard of willfully ignorant soccer hating sports writers I'll not miss.
charvik
Footballguy
First sentence is pretty spot on, as Klopp has more or less said it flat out, but the second sentence is not necessarily true. I think Sturridge might go if there's a club that, in his mind, needs him to win trophies, pays enough for Klopp to let him move on, and is prepared to pay him the wages he is expecting. I have a hard time seeing any club meeting those requirements for a player that has had as many injury issues as Sturridge over the last 3 season.shader said:
El Floppo
Footballguy
How true is this?
I don't dispute that he's great at feeding his teammates, but he's also the guy that can take the ball in attacking third, best a guy and rifle a shot from outside the box. Maybe out of necessity, but games I watched he was either scoring like that or a threat to. My post was to say that I hope that doesn't get limited.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
I hated him. His using of soccer as the blame for one of the reasons the National failed and then used that as a platform to spread some of the most ignorant pieces on soccer the last few decades, sadly to this day still affecting some writers, was disgusting.
Just last week some idiot in San Diego wrote an article how soccer is ruining the way of life in the US and then used Deford's many quotes to back up his lunacy.
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charvik
Footballguy
Well, that's difficult to answer. I have seen every game he has played in a red shirt, and that is my personal assessment from just watching. He does tend to shoot a bit from distance when playing wide left (which is both good and bad), but he is also limited in his number of touches per game. Now some of that could be due to a lack of a quality wing back partner, but he does tend to get anonymous at times. His passing options are also more limited from the flank, and requires a lot of movement from the other 2 in the top 3rd of the pitch. That is all well and good when both Firmino and Mane is on song, but with other partners it hasn't worked as well.
It is often said, get your best players on the ball as often as possible, and playing more centrally will allow for this. Now, this also has to correlate with which formation is being played, which will be decided from which players are available etc etc...
Him being better 15-20 yards further back is also the assessment of his last two club managers, who has said so in many interviews.
charvik
Footballguy
roadkill1292
Footballguy
I am so old.
Yeah, the traditional sports writing society, in which I have some shallow roots, was really slow to even consider taking an objective look at the beautiful game. Even more so than the general public, a little surprising in what has become something of a profession which attracts liberal, open-minded types.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
AAABatteries
Footballguy
This reminded me to tell this story. As mentioned before I have season tickets to Atlanta United - guy and his wife that sits behind us seem friendly enough and we've chatted just briefly before. Since my wife went with me this weekend we all started chatting at half - turns out the guy is originally from England. Grew up near Leeds and is a Leicester fan.
Said his brother played on the Nottingham Forest youth team and his Dad played in some FA cups sides. The most interesting part to me was that he didn't want to spend much time talking EPL but MLS and how pumped he was to have the team - I thought a former Euro may be a little snobbish about MLS but he seemed impressed by what we have.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It has been my experience over the years that the Euro ex pats don't mind MLS. They tend to have a better appreciation that soccer is played at different levels world wide and can be enjoyed beyond the best of the best.
The true MLS snobs come more from American's from what I have seen and much of that group has never been to MLS games. Many who hate on MLS and then go to a game can change their mind a bit.
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shader
Footballguy
I bet this is true. England has support all throughout their ladder. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th tiers...they all get pretty solid support and have loyal fanbases. Probably a result of the fact that every town has their own team and it's such an intrinsic part of the town's identity.
So it doesn't surprise me that they can understand and identify with a league that isn't elite and they probably love the passion that seems to be building in the US for MLS teams.
I also imagine that they find the MLS system intriguing and unique.
I'll be honest, my biggest problem with the MLS is the regular season/playoffs thing. I actually have very much enjoyed Atlanta this year and I bet when I get down there to see a game, I'll become an even bigger fan...but I still personally have a hard time seeing any one game as being a "huge game". Much the same problem I have with regular season baseball, basketball, hockey...
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Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Seems mean. I do love a sash themed kit.
charvik
Footballguy
roadkill1292
Footballguy
I believe them. A younger generation that's grown up with ESPN and the internet isn't going to identify with the Golden Age of sports writing in SI. Getting the new issue every Thursday in the mail(?!) was a big thrill for us old guys; you knew you were gonna get to spend the evening reading the newest pieces from Deford, Jenkins and Kirkpatrick.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Floppo's my age, he is not part of the younger generation. I don't know Charv's background though.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Man, I though Flop was 14, 15 tops. I may have been misled by the Sweatpants Boner Man allusions, however.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This is great fun! A compilation of the worst goals scored this year. Good lord there are some monstrosities in here 
https://streamable.com/e1wlr
https://streamable.com/e1wlr
El Floppo
Footballguy
