The TT Football Club

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
Dabberific celebration for his equalising goal.
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Gizo

Hall of Fame
Welcome to strong competition, Bayern. :D They haven't been challenged in the Bundesliga for years now, and just in case that happens, they simply love buying from their domestic opponents, making all the biggest talent concentrated in one place. For sure it's fun watching other teams against each other but seeing Bayern win either by 5+ goals or thanks to injury time winners is quite boring.

Well if Bayern followed Barca and Real's example and monopolised the German TV money and were backed by generous and illegal state aid from the Bavarian state government, that would help them close the gap :D

Their Bundesliga dominance is boring, but it is the result of their hard work and superb management both on the pitch and off it, where they have been in the black financially 24 years in a row. Barcelona on the other hand lost money during their Guardiola treble winning year and were panicking about having to pay the increased prize money bonuses LOL. Bayern have had the perfect balance between ambition and financial prudence, and only spend the money that they have generated, not needing loans from bailed out banks to fund spending sprees like Real Madrid. It would be interesting to see how successful Barca and Real were in comparision if they were forced to operate in the same sensible way, like most businesses are. But of course everything in Spain is set up to favour them both.

As I said before Bundesliga TV money is spread quite evenly, and unlike Real, Bayern haven't built up huge debts of hundreds of millions of euros and then had to go begging their city council to come to their rescue. And unlike Barca they haven't needed Bavarian banks to loan them money to pay their players' wages.

It's not an even or fair playing field when clubs like Barcelona especially and Real Madrid to a lesser extent can operate so recklessly and get away with it, knowing that their city council, local government, and local banks will bail them out. Definitely tainted success in my opinion.

What happened in the 2nd leg against Bayern was really bad. I honestly felt like Real would have had a good shot at progressing even without the red card and the offside goal. They got outplayed in Munich and it was all to play for at home. Would have been one of the most convincing CL wins of all time and a great response after last year's win that was questioned. Easy draw back then, but Napoli, Bayern, Atletico and Juventus now, that's difficult. Anyway, Bayern were outclassed by Spanish teams in the previous three seasons. Clearly inferior to Real and Barca. Even Atletico knocked them out.

2 of Ronaldo's goals at the Bernabeu were offside and Casemiro should also have been sent off. Bayern were robbed that night, but then again it was Javi Martinez's fault with his 2 stupid yellow cards that they lost in Munich in the first place.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Epic celebrations at the full Santiago Bernabeu happening as we speak.
Campeones campeones ole ole ole
Hala Madrid y nada mas...

Ronnie's new haircut is kinda hilarious.
Just posting the gifs so they can be found here for future use, don't mind me. :D
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Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Lukaku seems to of hinted he's agreed terms with Chelsea. Not that it means anything, the fee with Everton was always going to be the hardest part to agree upon.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Though he was never known for scoring, I remembered this player mostly for the volley that rescued a point for Newcastle against Arsenal after being 0-4 down. Happened 6-7 years ago. Played several years for Newcastle until leaving for China. He died yesterday during training, suffering a cardiac arrest.

RIP Cheick Tiote
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
The Zlatan Ibrahimovic news has been confirmed. He will not be with Man United next season.

What is the 411 on Morata? Can you picture him being the leading man?
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Morata has been growing, 2016-17 was his best season to date. No longer just a bench warmer in Real Madrid, scoring 20 goals for the first time, second only to Ronnie.

But I am not very confident on him being the leading man. Can't see him scoring as much as Zlatan and we struggled for goals even with him. For that reason, and to not rely on one individual, I'd say we should get another one of Morata's caliber, not just him.

I bet Real Madrid will ask for a lot of money though, especially after spending 30 million to get him back from Juventus.
 
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Tiki-Taka

Guest
Morata has been growing, 2016-17 was his best season to date. No longer just a bench warmer in Real Madrid, scoring 20 goals for the first time, second only to Ronnie.

But I am not very confident on him being the leading man. Can't see him scoring as much as Zlatan and we struggled for goals even with him. For that reason, and to not rely on one individual, I'd say we should get another one of Morata's caliber, not just him.

I bet Real Madrid will ask for a lot of money though, especially after spending 30 million to get him back from Juventus.
I didn't expect Real to consider selling Morata. They just bought him back, and with fading Benzema and injury-prone Bale I thought Morata had a secured future.

Wouldn't surprise me if Hazard ends up playing for you, with Ronaldo playing as a striker all the time.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Anyone watching Euro qualifications?

Lloris kicked the ball away when he was out of position and Sweden's player hit it from the halfway line to score a 93rd minute winner. :D This puts Sweden above France in their group.

Andorra won their first game in 13 years, 1-0 win against Hungary. Puskas must be turning in his grave.
I didn't expect Real to consider selling Morata. They just bought him back, and with fading Benzema and injury-prone Bale I thought Morata had a secured future.

Wouldn't surprise me if Hazard ends up playing for you, with Ronaldo playing as a striker all the time.
That would be scary.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Hopefully Jose's nose for defenders was good again. Bailly was the least loud and known name last summer but has been excellent in his first season IMO. Could be a great defensive duo if Lindelof turns out to be the same.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Fee for Linedolof to Man Utd has been agreed. All about him agreeing and getting a work permit.

Looks like Bakayoko to Chelsea will be done early next week too. Thought Man City were the only ones who knew the window was open for awhile :p

I only saw the Scotland and England highlights (destroying the Aussies in the cricket took precedent), crazy end to the game!
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
Glorious. What a team Michael has created.

Favourites to reach the play offs now. A lucky draw there and we might somehow go to the world cup.

No doubt about it. I love it.

Was funny yesterday down at the pub. Paul Ince would have enjoyed the conversation. Me (sober) and a bunch of drunks. Trying to explain to me that Northern Ireland are already there if they manage to finish second. I didn't stand a chance. But yeah, hopefully they do understand that there is a playoff involved. Strength of group matters not, drunkards! Stop drinking and realize what year it is and so on. :p
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
Looks like Bakayoko to Chelsea will be done early next week too. Thought Man City were the only ones who knew the window was open for awhile :p

I only saw the Scotland and England highlights (destroying the Aussies in the cricket took precedent), crazy end to the game!

I had my eyes on the Northern Ireland game. The other TV in the place had Sctoland and England on. I was thinking of a new Joe Hart/ Benny Hill video in my mind when the second went in. :p
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I had my eyes on the Northern Ireland game. The other TV in the place had Sctoland and England on. I was thinking of a new Joe Hart/ Benny Hill video in my mind when the second went in. :p

Haha it wasn't the best! Apparently no club has come in for him yet either. It wasn't the best audition, but I can't believe he won't be playing next season.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Another 30 million player I hardly ever watched. It was a similar case with Bailly though I knew him before from some La Liga games. Here is hoping it's going to be a rock solid and very long center back partnership.

Let's see who is next.
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
Looking forward to seeing what Lindelof can do. He is another one of my old football manager starlets.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has the interest of Real Madrid and he will not signing a new deal with Milan. His current deal runs out at the end of next season. Apparently, he is on 2.5k a week at Milan and his agent is looking 80k a week for his next deal.PSG are interested in him as well. Since his deal runs out at the end of next season, you would think he will be on his way over the summer. Can understand the bitterness felt by Milan right now. Real are favorites for his signature. That is good news for United. Don't want to lose David DeGea.

Just did some more research. Now it says that Donnarumma is willing to sign a new deal as long as there is a release clause in his contract.

We shall see.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Sky Sports Italia saying Conte is frustrated, could end up leaving.

Some rumors that Ronaldo wants to leave Madrid. Every single summer he is unsettled according to the media. I am afraid that one day soon he won't stay in Madrid or return to Manchester but end up somewhere else. That would be ugly to see. :(

Summer transfer window can be very annoying.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Sky Sports Italia saying Conte is frustrated, could end up leaving.

Some rumors that Ronaldo wants to leave Madrid. Every single summer he is unsettled according to the media. I am afraid that one day soon he won't stay in Madrid or return to Manchester but end up somewhere else. That would be ugly to see. :(

Summer transfer window can be very annoying.

Not sure why the club are making a big deal of it. Same thing happened at Juventus, so they knew what they were getting. After last season, he's more than earned the right to do things how he wants imo.
 
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Tiki-Taka

Guest
Some rumors that Ronaldo wants to leave Madrid. Every single summer he is unsettled according to the media. I am afraid that one day soon he won't stay in Madrid or return to Manchester but end up somewhere else. That would be ugly to see. :(
I read that on BBC. Maybe it's not just a rumor this time.

Still it wouldn't surprise me if the potential saga ends in him signing a new, more valuable contract... Again.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
I read that on BBC. Maybe it's not just a rumor this time.

Still it wouldn't surprise me if the potential saga ends in him signing a new, more valuable contract... Again.
Well that's not good. The number of times I switched between wanting him to return to Manchester and wanting him to stay in Madrid is countless. Pretty sure whatever decision he makes is the one I wouldn't like in that moment. :oops:

To be fair there was suspense going on with some of Messi's contract extensions as well. ;)
 
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Tiki-Taka

Guest
Well that's not good. The number of times I switched between wanting him to return to Manchester and wanting him to stay in Madrid is countless. Pretty sure whatever decision he makes is the one I wouldn't like in that moment. :oops:

To be fair there was suspense going on with some of Messi's contract extensions as well. ;)
If he returns he will not make the same contribution he did for Manchester a decade ago. He is older and slower now while Manchester United are weaker as well. He has been phenomenal and has proven me wrong so many times but making the EPL crowd go wild again is not happening. Anyway it looks like he and Messi have more things in common than we thought. He's been accused of tax fraud as well. :p
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
These tax cheats need to spend time in lock up like the rest of us commoners.

Not a sweat of Ronaldo coming back to United. -100% chance by my calculations. We don't need a number 9 since we're getting Morata. :p

Everton getting the cheque book out. 2 big signings so far.
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
Not sure why the club are making a big deal of it. Same thing happened at Juventus, so they knew what they were getting. After last season, he's more than earned the right to do things how he wants imo.

Yeah, I agree. Chelsea behaving like Conte is big Phil Scolari.
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
I am not sure about either. Were your calculations on Griezmann any good? :p

That was a rare off day for me. :p

-100 is a bit extreme. According to reports, his mind is made up and nothing will change it so he will be going somewhere and United would have to be one of the possibilities. Even if my calculations say something else.

This is from the BBC article about teams that could get the funds together.

''Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Juventus would have the financial resources to put together a competitive offer within the realms of Financial Fair Play rules.''

Then we have the China money.

Ronny to make Arsenal great again? :D I wonder why PSG are not mentioned with the other teams. Surely they would be one of the options.

At this minute, if I had to bet I'd bet on him staying at Real Madrid.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I agree. Chelsea behaving like Conte is big Phil Scolari.

I think Chelsea have done extremely well the last 5 years or so, with the loan system especially. That seems to be the reason the club doesn't want to shake things up, but I can't see why Conte would want to change anything in that department. His concerns seem to be how slow we are in the transfer market (something I've been saying for years).

We left things late last summer, zero activity in January (big mistake) and we're dragging our feet missing out on players that could of had deals in place before the end of the season, or at least moved a lot quicker than we seem to be doing. Bakayoko seemed like it was done months back, but it's dragging on, too slow with Van Dijk (the price for both players has shot up with interest from Man Utd and Liverpool respectively). Verratti was flirting with Conte in January but we weren't aggressive and now Barcelona have him. The club are still deciding what to do with Costa and Lukaku for £100 Million? I can see why Conte is pulling his hair (transplant) out :eek:
 

TheAssassin

Legend
That was a rare off day for me. :p

-100 is a bit extreme. According to reports, his mind is made up and nothing will change it so he will be going somewhere and United would have to be one of the possibilities. Even if my calculations say something else.

This is from the BBC article about teams that could get the funds together.

''Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Juventus would have the financial resources to put together a competitive offer within the realms of Financial Fair Play rules.''

Then we have the China money.

Ronny to make Arsenal great again? :D I wonder why PSG are not mentioned with the other teams. Surely they would be one of the options.

At this minute, if I had to bet I'd bet on him staying at Real Madrid.
Surely he wouldn't join one of our Premier League rivals. :oops: Not sure how Ronnie would do in other clubs at this point of his career but he couldn't possibly leave on a bigger high than this if the transfer happens this summer.
 

Slice'n'dice

Hall of Fame
So Ronaldo's a ******** eh? Who knew, wanting to leave because he's been caught out for being a tax cheat.

You're the highest paid athlete in the world, pay your ****ing tax like the rest of us.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
If he returns he will not make the same contribution he did for Manchester a decade ago. He is older and slower now while Manchester United are weaker as well. He has been phenomenal and has proven me wrong so many times but making the EPL crowd go wild again is not happening. Anyway it looks like he and Messi have more things in common than we thought. He's been accused of tax fraud as well. :p
We'll see, wouldn't be the first time it was a false accusation. And I am sure you want Cristiano in England so it would be less likely for him to win more Ballon d'Ors. ;)
 

ACE of Hearts

Bionic Poster
I am a Real Madrid fan but he will never be bigger than the club. If he wants to leave then set the transfer fee for him. I will appreciate what he did for us but i feel he will regret the move. The grass's never greener on the other side.
 

Slice'n'dice

Hall of Fame
We'll see, wouldn't be the first time it was a false accusation. And I am sure you want Cristiano in England so it would be less likely for him to win more Ballon d'Ors. ;)

Because he's been a star at the two football teams that you support? The way he's played this situation suggests to me that he's just angling for an even bigger contract to negate so he's got even more of his riches to spend.

No matter how much charity work you might do or donations you give, no matter how many autographs you sign for the kids, if you are as filthy stinking rich as people like Ronaldo and Messi are (and many many many many many many many many many others) are and you go to these sort of lengths to not pay your fair share of tax, then you are a ****ing disgraceful human being.

He would certainly be less likely to win the ballon d'or in England if he was playing for the sixth best team in the land, that makes sense. Second place minimum is assured for him and Messi though for the next few years regardless though to be honest.
 

Slice'n'dice

Hall of Fame
I am a Real Madrid fan but he will never be bigger than the club. If he wants to leave then set the transfer fee for him. I will appreciate what he did for us but i feel he will regret the move. The grass's never greener on the other side.

As great as he is, and he is, a 32 year old for 150 million or whatever it would cost, kind of does seem too good to refuse.
 

Slice'n'dice

Hall of Fame
By the way on another topic, be interested to see what people think about how an 18 year old kid, no matter how talented, would cope with becoming a world record transfer. Big weight to take onto your shoulders, think he'd be a fool to go for that at this stage.
 

TheAssassin

Legend
Because he's been a star at the two football teams that you support? The way he's played this situation suggests to me that he's just angling for an even bigger contract to negate so he's got even more of his riches to spend.

No matter how much charity work you might do or donations you give, no matter how many autographs you sign for the kids, if you are as filthy stinking rich as people like Ronaldo and Messi are (and many many many many many many many many many others) are and you go to these sort of lengths to not pay your fair share of tax, then you are a ****ing disgraceful human being.

He would certainly be less likely to win the ballon d'or in England if he was playing for the sixth best team in the land, that makes sense. Second place minimum is assured for him and Messi though for the next few years regardless though to be honest.
Don't worry, there is a Norwegian club I support as well. ;) That's probably what's going to happen, Real were scared before of the possibility that he could leave, there were some rumors going on in 2013 I think. Now that he is over 30, maybe they will look at it differently. His heroics at the end of this season will certainly make the club value him more than they would have only three months ago.

Fair enough. I look at them as footballers most of the time. And when looking outside of that, I am not going to ignore all the help they did for the poor all around the world. Maybe I just tend to look at good in people, even when they get ruined and spoiled by all the insane amount of money.

You can mock Man United's most recent league finish all you like, they still managed to have a better season than most and are more likely to have great future success than Liverpool and most of other English clubs as well. As for Ronaldo and Messi, they have simply been that good for the last decade or so. In a couple of years someone will challenge them IMO.
 

Slice'n'dice

Hall of Fame
Don't worry, there is a Norwegian club I support as well. ;) That's probably what's going to happen, Real were scared before of the possibility that he could leave, there were some rumors going on in 2013 I think. Now that he is over 30, maybe they will look at it differently. His heroics at the end of this season will certainly make the club value him more than they would have only three months ago.

Fair enough. I look at them as footballers most of the time. And when looking outside of that, I am not going to ignore all the help they did for the poor all around the world. Maybe I just tend to look at good in people, even when they get ruined and spoiled by all the insane amount of money.

You can mock Man United's most recent league finish all you like, they still managed to have a better season than most and are more likely to have great future success than Liverpool and most of other English clubs as well. As for Ronaldo and Messi, they have simply been that good for the last decade or so. In a couple of years someone will challenge them IMO.

I get supporting a Norwegian club if you are Norwegian/live in Norway and given the quality of league (no offence) wanting to follow a bigger side as well, just find it weird supporting two teams like Man Utd and Real Madrid, or any two big sides like tat, doesn't sit well with me, bu that's just me.

I get what you're saying about that, it's obviously good that they do that and absolutely should do that, but when you have been "blessed" to the degree to be able to do something like that as your career, you absolutely should do a lot, or at least give substantial amounts of money to charities and it's pretty much a bare minimum (even people like El Hadji Diouf does lots of charity work and what not). But I do like to give the benefit of the doubt with stuff like that, but when they do that and still try and use creative accountants and whatever else to avoid paying the amount of tax (which no matter how much tax they pay, still leaves them with more money than 99.99% of people will see in their lifetime) just leaves a very sour taste in their mouth. It's pure greed plane and simple, saw an article about Asamoah Gyan about a similar topic and he was moaning about tax laws meaning he doesn't get as much and apparently in China the clubs pay the tax and he just sounds like a greedy ***** who's forgotten his roots (can't imagine that privileged upbringing).

Thank you, I will. 6th eh? That's debatable though, although obviously well placed to challenge financially. The fact that England has arguably 6 (maybe even 7 if Everton and Koeman do particularly wel this window) top sides, doesn't really do them any favours as it's harder to shine against such teams and you obviously have to pay more attention to the league making European success a bit harder.

I do agree Messi and Ronaldo have been that good for at least the majority of the last decade or so but I don't think others are going to be considered until they severely decline. It's more than just how good you are (think Suarez was pretty hard done by not to get in the top three last time round, could make arguments of him being even higher based on some of his stats but his chequered past which had very little if anything to do with footballing ability counted against him).
 

TheAssassin

Legend
I get supporting a Norwegian club if you are Norwegian/live in Norway and given the quality of league (no offence) wanting to follow a bigger side as well, just find it weird supporting two teams like Man Utd and Real Madrid, or any two big sides like tat, doesn't sit well with me, bu that's just me.

I get what you're saying about that, it's obviously good that they do that and absolutely should do that, but when you have been "blessed" to the degree to be able to do something like that as your career, you absolutely should do a lot, or at least give substantial amounts of money to charities and it's pretty much a bare minimum (even people like El Hadji Diouf does lots of charity work and what not). But I do like to give the benefit of the doubt with stuff like that, but when they do that and still try and use creative accountants and whatever else to avoid paying the amount of tax (which no matter how much tax they pay, still leaves them with more money than 99.99% of people will see in their lifetime) just leaves a very sour taste in their mouth. It's pure greed plane and simple, saw an article about Asamoah Gyan about a similar topic and he was moaning about tax laws meaning he doesn't get as much and apparently in China the clubs pay the tax and he just sounds like a greedy ***** who's forgotten his roots (can't imagine that privileged upbringing).

Thank you, I will. 6th eh? That's debatable though, although obviously well placed to challenge financially. The fact that England has arguably 6 (maybe even 7 if Everton and Koeman do particularly wel this window) top sides, doesn't really do them any favours as it's harder to shine against such teams and you obviously have to pay more attention to the league making European success a bit harder.

I do agree Messi and Ronaldo have been that good for at least the majority of the last decade or so but I don't think others are going to be considered until they severely decline. It's more than just how good you are (think Suarez was pretty hard done by not to get in the top three last time round, could make arguments of him being even higher based on some of his stats but his chequered past which had very little if anything to do with footballing ability counted against him).
None taken. Just saying I support a team from my country as well. The support towards Man United and Real obviously stands out since they are the big names while the Norwegian teams aren't something to talk about. Maybe you have a favorite team for each of the other big leagues but none of them stands out as your 2nd all time favorite behind Liverpool like Real does for me. My guess is you probably admire Barcelona a lot for their playing style and youth policy but not that much that you regularly support them.

Yes, greed is big among many of these athletes. But in a way they also will never be able to impress some people with all the charity work. No matter how much money the athletes give away, and it is usually an amount that means so much to ordinary people, they will still have a lot for themselves which the critics don't like. They want them to give everything or at least majority of what they have. If I was so rich I'd probably want to have fun and buy everything I ever wanted for myself, but this is just a hypothetical, wishful thinking.

Forwards are heavily favored nowadays in the Ballon d'Or, that's what both Ronaldo and Messi are benefiting from. They are the best at what they do but the work of their teammates and other players playing in different positions is quite underrated.
 
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