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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

Story moves every hour but here is the latest (translated from an Argentine reporter)

========

Cristian Pavón's departure is confirmed from #Boca . He will go to Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a loan for 18 months of $2,000,000 and a purchase option of $20 million.  Euro team came in with big offer at last minute but Pavon wants LA.
Pavon arrived in LA this morning to take medical and talk about personal terms.  Getting closer.

 
My EPL tiers going into the season

Tier 1

Man City, Liverpool

Tier 2 

Spurs

Tier 3

Chelsea

Tier 4

Arsenal, Man U, Leicester 

Tier 5 

Everton, Watford, Wolves

Tier 6

AV, West Ham., Soton, Burnley 

Tier 7 

Bournemouth, CP, Newcastle 

Tier 8 

Norwich, Brighton, Sheffield 

ETA - I think Tier 5 is much closer to Tier 4 than Tier 6. 

 
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I think I just view tiers 6 and 7 as a 7 team pile up and I might even say Watford too.  Better you than me to try to split those teams out.

I listened to a podcast that was pitching Sheffield United as record-setting awful, but I have no clue about the promoted teams.

 
Chelsea have a big problem that I think is pretty obvious.  Here are the top five current odds for top scorer at Chelsea this season:

Giroud - 9/4

Abraham and Pulisic - 7/2 

Batshuayi 11/4 

Pedro 11-1

All have major question marks.  None has a reliable track record of leading a club in scoring.  Giroud scored 2 league goals last season, 3 the year before.  Giroud and Pedro are both 32 and neither was a regular starter last season, neither is expected to be this season.  None of the others played in the PL last season.

 
McGuire to United is done.  Doesn't look like Dybala for Lukaku is going to happen and who knows if Bruno will or won't.  

United's defense looks like it will be improved and has potential to be good for a few years:

Shaw (24 ) Lindelof (25) McGuire (26) Wan-Bissaka (21) with Tuanzebe (21) and Dalot (20) as subs.

Still need a right winger and potentially a #10 if they play in the reported 4-2-3-1 Ole seems to be rolling out.  

They do have talent.  Are they as good as the top 2 (who will not be named)? Probably not.  But I think they should be in the competition for 3&4. It will be a tough race for 3-8 I think.

 
Chelsea have a big problem that I think is pretty obvious.  Here are the top five current odds for top scorer at Chelsea this season:

Giroud - 9/4

Abraham and Pulisic - 7/2 

Batshuayi 11/4 

Pedro 11-1

All have major question marks.  None has a reliable track record of leading a club in scoring.  Giroud scored 2 league goals last season, 3 the year before.  Giroud and Pedro are both 32 and neither was a regular starter last season, neither is expected to be this season.  None of the others played in the PL last season.
I am even a Chelsea fan and I was surprised to see them listed a tier ahead of ManU and Arsenal. 

 
My EPL tiers going into the season

Tier 1

Man City, Liverpool

Tier 2 

Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U,

Tier 3 

Everton

Tier 4 

Leicester,  Watford, Wolves, West Ham

Tier 5

CP,  Soton, Burnley 

Tier 6 

AV, Bournemouth, Norwich

Tier 7 

Brighton, Sheffield, Newcastle
I like what everton has done... except losing maguire will hurt. but if they sort their D, they have a shot at pushign into tier 2.

tier 2, same as it was.

I have a feeling about newcastle this year- been riding a rough edge of mayhem the last couple... with the capabilities of jumping a tier or two, but I think coach, ownership and ultimately fans will melt down when the team doesn't perform.

 
I like what everton has done... except losing maguire will hurt. but if they sort their D, they have a shot at pushign into tier 2.

tier 2, same as it was.

I have a feeling about newcastle this year- been riding a rough edge of mayhem the last couple... with the capabilities of jumping a tier or two, but I think coach, ownership and ultimately fans will melt down when the team doesn't perform.
When did Everton have McGuire?

But to the rest of your point, I agree Everton will be pushing that tier 2 group with their signings but it will take them coming together as a team to get there.  I think Tier 3 is a good spot for them.  Leicester losing McGuire and Vardy a year older keeps them in group 4 behind Everton.

 
Whoa. 

@TeleFootball: Exclusive: Wayne Rooney is in talks about returning to English football as Derby County player-coach | @TelegraphDucker https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/05/wayne-rooney-talks-become-player-coach-derby-county/


Hop skip and an ole away from running man u
He's said he wants to return to United as a coach.  Not sure player-coach will work out well, but at least hes looking to coach lower levels and not try and go right to the EPL

 
Wow. The Athletic added a bunch of English footy writers. A ton of stories in that feed.
Really? What are their names? Is it just EPL guys or other leagues? I get the EPL draw but if people really want futboll to be successful in America they need to be promoting the other leagues just as fairly. 

 
Hop skip and an ole away from running man u
And they still won't win the Title. Man U has pretty big problems. It just doesn't seem there is a ton of chemistry with the talent they have on that squad. I've said this for yrs in sports to fans of multiple sports but it doesn't matter if you have an all star or top players in the world line up if the chemistry isn't there you aren't gonna be successful. A lot of egos to feed and such. Pogba was done wrong at Man U though. I liked the ole Man U teams with Beckham but it seems the squad got way more cocky since he left and supporters in America at least around me act like Dallas fans bragging about past success. It's nice seeing them struggle for a change though in some way 

 
makes sense.  Ole is the odds on fave to be fired first. 
Not sure what the Hype of Ole is all about. Man U just seemed like that club last year of the typical sack/fire coach manager new guy gives them a boost but it's all false hope and just riding momentum. 

 
And they still won't win the Title. Man U has pretty big problems. It just doesn't seem there is a ton of chemistry with the talent they have on that squad. I've said this for yrs in sports to fans of multiple sports but it doesn't matter if you have an all star or top players in the world line up if the chemistry isn't there you aren't gonna be successful. A lot of egos to feed and such. Pogba was done wrong at Man U though. I liked the ole Man U teams with Beckham but it seems the squad got way more cocky since he left and supporters in America at least around me act like Dallas fans bragging about past success. It's nice seeing them struggle for a change though in some way 
How was Pogba done wrong?  

I agree with the rest, and they have bigger issues which Ole is seemingly trying to fix.  Can he?  I don't know.  Bit Woodward is a problem.  They need a director of football who can run the transfers and work with the manager to build a team.  woodward is great at sponsorships and bringing in the money.  He needs to get away from transfers. He has allowed United to be used for $ and leverage.  They need to go back to getting their business done quickly, quietly and stop taking 3 months to do so.  Hopefully they learned something and the Dybala drama means they wont throw money at someone as a way to get them in.  Either they want to be there or they are gone.

Ole is trying to bring back what made them successful.  Getting young hungry talent that can grow into the stars, then keep some, sell some and repeat.  Think Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy alongside the class of 92... Will it work?  Lets hope.  

 
Really? What are their names? Is it just EPL guys or other leagues? I get the EPL draw but if people really want futboll to be successful in America they need to be promoting the other leagues just as fairly. 
I didn't recognize any names but the volume and details of the stories is staggering. 

Lengthy description by The Athletic follows-

You can follow our Premier League feed and get the best stories, analysis, features, interviews and long reads on every team from award-winning writers up and down the country. Today, for starters, we have exclusive interviews with Liverpool chairman Tom Werner, Dortmund’s Mario Gotze and Leicester’s new signing Ayoze Perez. There is also fascinating insight into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Tanguy Ndombele, the tactical underpinning of Manchester City’s title-winning defence and what really happens at clubs in the transfer window (and yes, set-piece bonuses for players are a thing).

This is all just the tip of the iceberg.

Is the Premier League not your thing? Try our Football League or Scottish Premiership feeds. There’s so many huge clubs, so often ignored, who we will be covering in depth.

Or if you’re a bit more partisan than that, don’t bother. Just follow your team. Love Leeds? We’ve got Phil Hay for you. Obsessed by Liverpool? We’ve signed James Pearce and Simon Hughes. Think this is Sheffield Wednesday’s year? We have Nancy Frostick dedicated to nothing else all season. The list of our brilliant writers is too long to run here but you will be reading calm, considered, intelligent articles on your team from the best in the business. They’ll know the manager, the players, the men and women behind the scenes, the things that are upsetting or pleasing the fans. They will live and breathe your club.

And that doesn’t just mean British clubs. This is the only place you can read Rafa Honigstein on German football. We have multi-lingual experts who will be filing from across the globe to bring you stories you need to hear.

Prefer women’s football? We are employing Kieran Theivam as one of the only full-time writers on the subject in the country as we watch to see how much the game grows after the World Cup. There are so many great stories to tell.

Of course, the other way to enjoy all this is to just follow the writers you like. Maybe you only want to read tactics pieces by Michael Cox or columns by award-winning journalists Daniel Taylor and Oliver Kay. It would be a shame to miss out on the rest, but we’re not here to judge.
 
Not sure what the Hype of Ole is all about. Man U just seemed like that club last year of the typical sack/fire coach manager new guy gives them a boost but it's all false hope and just riding momentum. 
Part of that is true.  But the fall off also coincided with Herrera getting hurt (he was a big key to making them go and allowing Pogba to play as he should) and some other injuries/fitness questions that hopefully are resolved with the offseason.

 
I didn't recognize any names but the volume and details of the stories is staggering. 

Lengthy description by The Athletic follows-

You can follow our Premier League feed and get the best stories, analysis, features, interviews and long reads on every team from award-winning writers up and down the country. Today, for starters, we have exclusive interviews with Liverpool chairman Tom Werner, Dortmund’s Mario Gotze and Leicester’s new signing Ayoze Perez. There is also fascinating insight into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Tanguy Ndombele, the tactical underpinning of Manchester City’s title-winning defence and what really happens at clubs in the transfer window (and yes, set-piece bonuses for players are a thing).

This is all just the tip of the iceberg.

Is the Premier League not your thing? Try our Football League or Scottish Premiership feeds. There’s so many huge clubs, so often ignored, who we will be covering in depth.

Or if you’re a bit more partisan than that, don’t bother. Just follow your team. Love Leeds? We’ve got Phil Hay for you. Obsessed by Liverpool? We’ve signed James Pearce and Simon Hughes. Think this is Sheffield Wednesday’s year? We have Nancy Frostick dedicated to nothing else all season. The list of our brilliant writers is too long to run here but you will be reading calm, considered, intelligent articles on your team from the best in the business. They’ll know the manager, the players, the men and women behind the scenes, the things that are upsetting or pleasing the fans. They will live and breathe your club.

And that doesn’t just mean British clubs. This is the only place you can read Rafa Honigstein on German football. We have multi-lingual experts who will be filing from across the globe to bring you stories you need to hear.

Prefer women’s football? We are employing Kieran Theivam as one of the only full-time writers on the subject in the country as we watch to see how much the game grows after the World Cup. There are so many great stories to tell.

Of course, the other way to enjoy all this is to just follow the writers you like. Maybe you only want to read tactics pieces by Michael Cox or columns by award-winning journalists Daniel Taylor and Oliver Kay. It would be a shame to miss out on the rest, but we’re not here to judge.
I'll have to check it out then. The only EPL I would follow is Newcastle anyway I do want to read more women's coverage

 
How was Pogba done wrong?  

I agree with the rest, and they have bigger issues which Ole is seemingly trying to fix.  Can he?  I don't know.  Bit Woodward is a problem.  They need a director of football who can run the transfers and work with the manager to build a team.  woodward is great at sponsorships and bringing in the money.  He needs to get away from transfers. He has allowed United to be used for $ and leverage.  They need to go back to getting their business done quickly, quietly and stop taking 3 months to do so.  Hopefully they learned something and the Dybala drama means they wont throw money at someone as a way to get them in.  Either they want to be there or they are gone.

Ole is trying to bring back what made them successful.  Getting young hungry talent that can grow into the stars, then keep some, sell some and repeat.  Think Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy alongside the class of 92... Will it work?  Lets hope.  
I'm talking by Mourinho he was Pogba. Didn't seem to be given really a fair chance. Dude is one of the best MF in the world you don't just have him ride the bench. I admit to not watching too many Man U matches but from what I saw during that time Pogba certainly would've been better then the alternatives that were on the pitch. 

 
I'm talking by Mourinho he was Pogba. Didn't seem to be given really a fair chance. Dude is one of the best MF in the world you don't just have him ride the bench. I admit to not watching too many Man U matches but from what I saw during that time Pogba certainly would've been better then the alternatives that were on the pitch. 
That I agree with.  Unfortunately some of the fans and most of the media hold Pogba to a different standard then they do other stars.  He also doesn't help himself at times when he gets a little to diva on the pitch, prancing back on d and crying at the ref when he doesnt get every call. His agent is also a  :censored:  who causes more problems with his actions.  He wants the next payday and isn't really interested in whats best for Pogba.  He just keeps trying to move him for the next big fee so he can get paid.

Pogba is by far their best player when he wants to be.  And most days even when he doesnt.  But he needs to play every game like he did when Ole came in.  If he does that, he will silence all the critics.

 
That I agree with.  Unfortunately some of the fans and most of the media hold Pogba to a different standard then they do other stars.  He also doesn't help himself at times when he gets a little to diva on the pitch, prancing back on d and crying at the ref when he doesnt get every call. His agent is also a  :censored:  who causes more problems with his actions.  He wants the next payday and isn't really interested in whats best for Pogba.  He just keeps trying to move him for the next big fee so he can get paid.

Pogba is by far their best player when he wants to be.  And most days even when he doesnt.  But he needs to play every game like he did when Ole came in.  If he does that, he will silence all the critics.
I keep thinking about how he played for France- almost as their 6 or 8. guy was everywhere, every game- doing all the hard, dirty work needed to help them win the cup. 

it's that last bit that doesn't appear to happen for united so far. there are moments... but not with the consistency and dedication he showed in the WC. and in attack, I don't think I've ever seen a player create so many good opportunities and just miss- either the shot or the final ball. it's been a couple years of almost for him- where if just a few of those start going in, he's a one-man league-beater. it'd be fun to see him do it in england... and it would certainly get him that pay day his agent wants.

 
wow, this Rooney thing escalated quickly.  I thought this was going to be some time in the near future but it looks like it may be already in play.

He flew to England today and an announcement is expected tomorrow.

 
That I agree with.  Unfortunately some of the fans and most of the media hold Pogba to a different standard then they do other stars.  He also doesn't help himself at times when he gets a little to diva on the pitch, prancing back on d and crying at the ref when he doesnt get every call. His agent is also a  :censored:  who causes more problems with his actions.  He wants the next payday and isn't really interested in whats best for Pogba.  He just keeps trying to move him for the next big fee so he can get paid.

Pogba is by far their best player when he wants to be.  And most days even when he doesnt.  But he needs to play every game like he did when Ole came in.  If he does that, he will silence all the critics.
Pogba is is Man U's Mario Ballotelli but with more career success. You don't need to talk about his agent to me. He tried to coup Donnarumma from Milan and it seemed Gigi wanted to stay. Riola literally made the supporters for awhile turn on Donnarumma but then everyone realized him and his family wanted to stay at Milan and not go anywhere. Not sure how Mino like Gigi's comments of signing a new contract and taking lesser pay to help the team went over though. 

 
wow, this Rooney thing escalated quickly.  I thought this was going to be some time in the near future but it looks like it may be already in play.

He flew to England today and an announcement is expected tomorrow.
No wonder the DC United fan I called out on twitter was in a mood. I called the dude out for some disrespectful comments to Alexi Lalas. Saw the tweeter was a Nats fan and added a nice jab in joking matter of "And Nats fans wonder why Bryce Harper left?" Things escalated quickly there. Apparently now you are an a**hole if you call out someone else online for being one. Who knew I told him the comment to Alexi was not just disrespectful but he wouldn't have the balls to say it to his face. I also told him he was writing off emotion. Don't get mad your team got taken to the woodshed last night. Not the Refs or Alexi's fault. Now I know why he was so butthurt over my comments. Rooney is about to leave him too. 

 
I keep thinking about how he played for France- almost as their 6 or 8. guy was everywhere, every game- doing all the hard, dirty work needed to help them win the cup. 

it's that last bit that doesn't appear to happen for united so far. there are moments... but not with the consistency and dedication he showed in the WC. and in attack, I don't think I've ever seen a player create so many good opportunities and just miss- either the shot or the final ball. it's been a couple years of almost for him- where if just a few of those start going in, he's a one-man league-beater. it'd be fun to see him do it in england... and it would certainly get him that pay day his agent wants.
Almost as if he had a world class CM next to him that he could count on for France!

 
talkSPORT

@talkSPORT

BREAKING: Wayne Rooney has signed an 18-month contract with Derby County, with the deal starting in January 2020. Rooney will take a player-coach role at Pride Park.

 
DJackson10 said:
No wonder the DC United fan I called out on twitter was in a mood. I called the dude out for some disrespectful comments to Alexi Lalas. Saw the tweeter was a Nats fan and added a nice jab in joking matter of "And Nats fans wonder why Bryce Harper left?" Things escalated quickly there. Apparently now you are an a**hole if you call out someone else online for being one. Who knew I told him the comment to Alexi was not just disrespectful but he wouldn't have the balls to say it to his face. I also told him he was writing off emotion. Don't get mad your team got taken to the woodshed last night. Not the Refs or Alexi's fault. Now I know why he was so butthurt over my comments. Rooney is about to leave him too. 
if the shoe fits.....

 
B Maverick said:
When did Everton have McGuire?

But to the rest of your point, I agree Everton will be pushing that tier 2 group with their signings but it will take them coming together as a team to get there.  I think Tier 3 is a good spot for them.  Leicester losing McGuire and Vardy a year older keeps them in group 4 behind Everton.
Everton has assembled a pretty good team on paper.  It will be interesting.

 
Is it safe to assume DC let Rooney go with no fee even though his contract was not up for another year after this season?  I think he signed a 2.5 year deal last summer.

 
Just got a small masonry contract to enlarge doorways at Philadelphia Union Stadium...pretty cool.  I wonder...is this to allow @Ned's inflated ego to enter without problem?  I wish I hated Phila like I hate Lazio...hijinks/sabotage would definitely ensue...

 
Is it safe to assume DC let Rooney go with no fee even though his contract was not up for another year after this season?  I think he signed a 2.5 year deal last summer.
Derby got somewhere between 3 and 7 mil. pounds to release Lampard to Chelsea.  I would expect DC made them pay, especially since its happening on such short notice, mid-season.  DC really has no way to replace him.

 

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