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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (7 Viewers)

It's a shame all the European leagues couldn't agree to close the window prior to the start of the season or make it so that EPL players can't leave after the window closes in England.  I agree that it was silly to have late movement that was costing teams early matches when players aren't playing due to impending moves.  But it's even worse to close the domestic window yet still allow players to leave.  That's worse than how it was, IMO.

 
shader said:
I've been wondering what's going to happen.  I mean, what if Real Madrid have just been waiting and now splash out a 200M dollar bid for Hazard/Kane/Salah/Eriksen.  You'd imagine that the PL teams would resist, but players have a lot of power. 
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Worked for Courtois, refuse to practice for 3 weeks stating "medical issue".

No need for the European clubs to go that high either. Less competition, and turn the head of the player (not that Barca would ever do that...)

 
charvik said:
Now for a nervous wait for another 22 days until the outgoing window closes.

Any of the top 6 could be in danger if a big European club turns the head of one of their top players.
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Why?  Not one team in the PL, let alone the top-6, need to sell any players for money.

The only players who leave - and there will be several - are players that the teams want to sell.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Why?  Not one team in the PL, let alone the top-6, need to sell any players for money.

The only players who leave - and there will be several - are players that the teams want to sell.
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I agree that they don't need to sell, but it could be pretty bad to have someone sit out moaning for 3 weeks, for morale reasons, missing them on the pitch etc.

 
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shader said:
I feel for the top teams.  To keep up and challenge for the title, it's becoming insanely expensive.  I think Liverpool fans have been a bit spoiled because they've had some massive outgoings that make it feel like a lot of money has been spent, when a lot really hasn't.

United have a net spend of like 500M over the last 4-5 years. When that's not enough to compete...I mean what are you gonna do?  That's an insane amount of money...
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I have no sympathy for the big clubs. They built this house of cards and have enough revenue streams to make massive spending on players a relatively low risk proposition.

The problem is this mentality has trickled down to lower leagues where clubs like Wolves spend their way back up the pyramid.  There's not enough money in lower league soccer for this to be sustainable over the long term.  This threatens the very existence of clubs that have been part of their communities for over a century.

 
Eephus said:
I have no sympathy for the big clubs. They built this house of cards and have enough revenue streams to make massive spending on players a relatively low risk proposition.

The problem is this mentality has trickled down to lower leagues where clubs like Wolves spend their way back up the pyramid.  There's not enough money in lower league soccer for this to be sustainable over the long term.  This threatens the very existence of clubs that have been part of their communities for over a century.
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:goodposting:

 
charvik said:
I agree that they don't need to sell, but it could be pretty bad to have someone sit out moaning for 3 weeks, for moral reasons, missing them on the pitch etc.
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Those players would already be wantaways - Spurs have a few...

But, teams are not going to sell players they want to keep - Salah/Kane/Eriksen/Hazard...no matter who comes in.  In terms of the PL - there are only two teams that are "bigger"  Barça and RM - and those clubs aren't coming in for any more PL stars this summer.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Those players would already be wantaways - Spurs have a few...

But, teams are not going to sell players they want to keep - Salah/Kane/Eriksen/Hazard...no matter who comes in.  In terms of the PL - there are only two teams that are "bigger"  Barça and RM - and those clubs aren't coming in for any more PL stars this summer.
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*cough* Pogba *cough*, unless Raiola is just using it to get him 200k more per week.

 
regardless of whether or not any EPL stars get sold, the EPL has done themselves a disfavor this season by not only starting 2 weeks before anyone else but also closing their window 3 weeks before anyone else.  I like the idea of the window being closed before the season but a WC year is not the one to do it in.  Neither is holding their start date.

 
West Ham fan:

Dogald: West Ham have signed nine first-team players; most expensive are Felipe Anderson (£35m) & Issa Diop (£21m). The remaining new players have over 250 international caps between them. We're now managed by a PL Winner. Great Transfer Window
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I think West Ham has improved greatly, and could challenge the Ev for the last European slot. In any case they should be a much tougher opponent once Pellegrini gets them organized.

 
B Maverick said:
regardless of whether or not any EPL stars get sold, the EPL has done themselves a disfavor this season by not only starting 2 weeks before anyone else but also closing their window 3 weeks before anyone else.  I like the idea of the window being closed before the season but a WC year is not the one to do it in.  Neither is holding their start date.
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It reminds me of a random rule change you make in a fantasy league draft when you're all sitting around drinking and haven't thought about the repercussions.  It was a very quick decision and one I bet a lot of them are regretting.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Those players would already be wantaways - Spurs have a few...

But, teams are not going to sell players they want to keep - Salah/Kane/Eriksen/Hazard...no matter who comes in.  In terms of the PL - there are only two teams that are "bigger"  Barça and RM - and those clubs aren't coming in for any more PL stars this summer.
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RM and Barca could both theoretically come in for PL stars.  Barca-Pogba seems like a legit rumor.  Madrid sold Ronaldo and haven't replaced him.  No I don't think it's possible to get any of these guys...but you never know.  Liverpool fans had no expectation that Barca was going to come in hard for Coutinho last summer and Barca made a late move and completely caused chaos a few days before a CL qualifier.  

If there is a player that's a bit unhappy (Pogba, Hazard), and if a massive offer comes in, and if those players put in an official transfer request and refuse to play, anything can happen.  

 
shader said:
If there is a player that's a bit unhappy (Pogba, Hazard), and if a massive offer comes in, and if those players put in an official transfer request and refuse to play, anything can happen.  
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PL will not sell to appease a player after the transfer window closed.

They may do what Liverpool did - which is agree to sell the player in January.  But they are not selling players they cannot replace in the next few weeks.

 
Don't see why waiting would be in any of the big club's interest.  Pogba could have gone on strike at any time and Man U don't have to sell him (I don't think England even has working release clauses).  Why would Man U be forced to sell now when they can't even replace him until January?  I think Madrid or whoever's leverage is completely lost in this situation.  Because Man U is in the same position in CM until January whether they sell or just let Pogba rot.    

 
I think the middle part of the league, say 7-13 has improved quite a bit.The quality of the overall player pool is greatly improved, and it is going to make it even tougher to find an easy 3 points. Last season we had a clear top 6, with a gap to the next tier. I think that gap is closing. I don't think anyone is at risk dropping from the top 6, just that aways at West Ham, Fulham, Burnley, etc etc is getting tougher and tougher...

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
Don't see why waiting would be in any of the big club's interest.  Pogba could have gone on strike at any time and Man U don't have to sell him (I don't think England even has working release clauses).  Why would Man U be forced to sell now when they can't even replace him until January?  I think Madrid or whoever's leverage is completely lost in this situation.  Because Man U is in the same position in CM until January whether they sell or just let Pogba rot.    
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:shrug: not saying it would be in anyone's interest, just that it is an added risk closing the window 22 days before everybody else. It doesn't even have to be a superstar. Losing one or two from your starting XI could hurt enough.

 
charvik said:
I think the middle part of the league, say 7-13 has improved quite a bit.The quality of the overall player pool is greatly improved, and it is going to make it even tougher to find an easy 3 points. Last season we had a clear top 6, with a gap to the next tier. I think that gap is closing. I don't think anyone is at risk dropping from the top 6, just that aways at West Ham, Fulham, Burnley, etc etc is getting tougher and tougher...
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They've spent.  And much of the Top 6 really hasn't much (at least in net spend).  But a lot of that spending seems speculative even for transfer season to me.  Everton look different, but are they better?  Beats me.  

 
charvik said:
I think the middle part of the league, say 7-13 has improved quite a bit.The quality of the overall player pool is greatly improved, and it is going to make it even tougher to find an easy 3 points. Last season we had a clear top 6, with a gap to the next tier. I think that gap is closing. I don't think anyone is at risk dropping from the top 6, just that aways at West Ham, Fulham, Burnley, etc etc is getting tougher and tougher...
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Yes, finally the new TV deal is spilling over into the rest of the league and things could be MUCH more competitive.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
They've spent.  And much of the Top 6 really hasn't much (at least in net spend).  But a lot of that spending seems speculative even for transfer season to me.  Everton look different, but are they better?  Beats me.  
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They are better from replacing fat Sam, but otherwise, no. 

Pickford, Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman, Gana, Silva, Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Tosun.

That's a lot of new faces, especially for a club that has had great success with their U-18. Those kids will now get blocked from developing further, and I expect many to leave.

 
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Sinn Fein said:
WE WANT SHADER RANKINGS!!!!!!!!!!
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There are still like 5 deals in the pipe.  I'm waiting...

It looks like Leicester have signed Cagnar  Sol....something or other from Turkey.  I saw a lot of gushing about him earlier this summer from some Arsenal fans and for Leicester to sign him and also to keep Maguire from United, that's huge.

 
shader said:
There are still like 5 deals in the pipe.  I'm waiting...

It looks like Leicester have signed Cagnar  Sol....something or other from Turkey.  I saw a lot of gushing about him earlier this summer from some Arsenal fans and for Leicester to sign him and also to keep Maguire from United, that's huge.
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Well, poor Leicester now obviously getting relegated. 

Go on.....

 
charvik said:
They are better from replacing fat Sam, but otherwise, no. 

Pickford, Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman, Gana, Silva, Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Tosun.

That's a lot of new faces, especially for a club that has had great success with their U-18. Those kids will now get blocked from developing further, and I expect many to leave.
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They better do well. Almost 1/3 of Sporting Real Christo United Football Club's starting XI is there.

 
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Univision released their plans for Champions League coverage.  Overall it looks good.

=======

The statement is backed up as beginning on August 21, 22, Univision will carry 137 Champions League matches live across its platforms, 97 of which will air on its linear networks – Univision, Univision Deportes Network (UDN), UniMás and Galavisión. As a linear comparison, TNT is believed to show 46 matches. The other advantage is that non-linear matches will be available for free on digital and if you have a cable subscription and the network is included in your package, you will be able to watch every game digitally via its app or the website. If not, fans can still have access to selected non-linear matches for free, whether you have cable subscription or not. 

In regards to the schedule for the group stage, which begins September 18, there are two new windows for the tournament: 1pm ET and 3pm ET. Univision Deportes will air two matches at 1pm ET - one match on UNiMas/UDN and the other on Galavision. At 3pm ET there are three matches airing on Univision/UDN, UniMas and Galavision. 

(For the Europa League's group stage, UD will air two matches live at both 1pm and 3pm. One on UniMas/UDN and the other on Galavision)

 
Great news - will be going with Univision if Hulu offers it, or finding a provider that will do so.  Turner can ### off.

 
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Speaking of FM...I downloaded the FM touch IOS app...its' amazing.  Not quite as much control over day to day activities, but it moves like 3 times faster, plus you can "simulate" a game.  

 
CletiusMaximus said:
Great news - will be going with Univision if Hulu offers it, or finding a provider that will do so.  Turner can ### off.
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Here are your streaming choices assuming you want to keep the cord cut.

Univision: Sling, Direct TV Now

UniMas: Sling, Direct TV Now

UDN: Direct TV Now

Galavision:  Direct TV Now

If you are willing to get the most expensive package on DTV Now, you will have access to all 4 channels showing the games.   Fubo TV has a separate Latino package that has all the channels.

YouTubeTV, and PS Vue are lacking in any Spanish channel offerings, however both Univision and Unimas can be found on local channels so you may have one or both of those channels in your streaming services depending on where you live and what is offered.

Hulu has Spanish channels but they went with the Telemundo group instead of the Univision group.

 
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I'm picking Liverpool to win the league.  They improved where needed the most, and already proved they're better than City in the Champions League qtr finals last year.  The 5-1 aggregate was a dominating performance.  Those LFC-MCFC games will be great this season as I'm sure Pep has thought about almost nothing else since April. Historically, its been hard to repeat as EPL winner, and I think Liverpool has enough to make the jump over City.

I've got City, United and Spurs rounding out the top 4 again.

I think Chelsea and Arsenal are going to suffer a bit under new managers, neither of which has won much of anything (Emery winning the Europa League 3 times with Sevilla I suppose is impressive). Everton and West Ham will push them, but it looks most likely to be the same top 6 again.  I like what Fulham have done and expect them to stay up, possibly even reaching mid-table.

Pretty excited for football this year, already planning to take a late lunch tomorrow to watch United play Leicester.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
I'm picking Liverpool to win the league.  They improved where needed the most, and already proved they're better than City in the Champions League qtr finals last year.  The 5-1 aggregate was a dominating performance.  Those LFC-MCFC games will be great this season as I'm sure Pep has thought about almost nothing else since April. Historically, its been hard to repeat as EPL winner, and I think Liverpool has enough to make the jump over City.

I've got City, United and Spurs rounding out the top 4 again.

I think Chelsea and Arsenal are going to suffer a bit under new managers, neither of which has won much of anything (Emery winning the Europa League 3 times with Sevilla I suppose is impressive). Everton and West Ham will push them, but it looks most likely to be the same top 6 again.  I like what Fulham have done and expect them to stay up, possibly even reaching mid-table.

Pretty excited for football this year, already planning to take a late lunch tomorrow to watch United play Leicester.
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I like this guy

 
There seems to be a joke that Liverpool fans always say "this is our year".  I get that I wasn't around in the Gerrard/Xavi era when perhaps that was a possibility or should have happened.  But personally I've never felt a Liverpool team had a realistic chance at winning the league.  This is the first time I think it could happen. But will I predict that?  My fellow pool fans might kill me if I do.

 
Predictions

1. Man City - It kills me to write this, because I think Liverpool have improved to an extreme degree.  But until I see Liverpool break the parked bus regularly, it's difficult for me to project that Pool score enough points to beat City.  City haven't weakened at all and the biggest concern for them is keeping everyone happy playing half the time and keeping the team motivated.  I do feel like City will have a bit of a drop-off, but this team is still loaded.  Another reason I can't keep from picking City is that I've yet to see a single team (outside of Liverpool) actually try and play them straight up, force them into mistakes, etc.  Teams are scared to death of Pep and City and until that changes, they will challenge all the records they set last year.  

2. Liverpool - For the first time in my short career as a fan, there is a GK that looks like a grown man.  Miggy and Karius look like scared children.  Naby Keita, if he's anything close to what I've seen at times in preseason, will be revolutionary for the midfield.  I think Shaqiri is the perfect spark that Liverpool have needed from the bench.  He looks reborn, but keeping him happy in his role will be Klopp's problem. (Can he play as a 10 in front of Keita/Hendo and in front of Mane, Salah, Firmino?)  VVD is an elite defender and Liverpool's total points would have looked much different if he had been on the team week 1.  I've also noticed a marginal uptick in confidence among a number of guys on the team during preseason.  I think the run to the CL final gave this team a ton of confidence.  Wait a second why didn't I pick Pool to win it?  Oh yeah, my curse.  

3. Chelsea - I'm a believer in the Chelsea defense and I think the midfield is awesome. Also, everyone that I've read from Italy raves about Sarri.  I think Chelsea will focus on top 4, send a B team to Europa competitions and Hazard will win POY.  Sarri is going to find a combination that works, stick with it, and win a bunch of games.  But..this team is rail thin.  A bad injury to Hazard or Kante and the whole thing could fall apart.  But falling apart is something that could easily happen to teams 3-6.

4. Tottenham - The only way Tott fail to get top 4 is if injuries happen.  The starting XI is too good.  However I do think that this is the last run from these guys.  At some point the main guys on this team are going to realize that Tottenham aren't going to regularly compete for trophies because they aren't going to spend.  All it really takes is one year in the Europa and these guys are going to abandon ship.  How could this go wrong?  A bad start.  Tottenham were hit the hardest by the WC and I'm of the opinion that Alli/Kane were already tired before the summer even began.  Not enough rest could prove deadly for this team. BUT....Poch is incredible and the new stadium should provide a buzz that will keep this team in the hunt.

5. Arsenal - Offense could be as good as Liverpool or City's.  Defense might not be a top half defense.  I have no idea how Arsenal can break top 4 if they can't defend. They'll have to literally outscore everyone and that just doesn't seem realistic.  

6. United - I see a total implosion coming.  The defense looks bad, there are no fullbacks and their luck can't continue, can it? Sanchez isn't a guy known for standing up and taking charge as it all falls apart, Martial hates Mourinho, and Pogba isn't a big Mourinho fan either.  I see a team that is going to stop buying into the slow paced Mourinho ball, and when that happens, the whole thing falls apart.  

The rest:  Everton/Fulham/Wolves/Leicester/Hammers all intrigue me.  I think the other teams should be excellent this season.

 
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