K-H
Hall of Fame
"Guardiola bottled it" that's all I'm fkin hearing.
We literally outplayed them and stopped them from doing anything. But apparently it's not down to us, it's because citeh weren't good enough
The TT Football Club
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
We literally outplayed them and stopped them from doing anything. But apparently it's not down to us, it's because citeh weren't good enough
Agreed and Chelsea were clearly the better team in all 3 of those matches as well. There were very few occasions, if any, on Saturday when I thought that City actually looked dangerous or like scoring.
I'm delighted for Kante as well, who seems like such a down to earth and likeable guy. If a player wins the World Cup, Champions League and multiple titles in a major European league (including a miraculous one with Leicester that will never be forgotten), they've basically reached the pinnacle in the sport. Him, Havertz, Mount, Chilwell, James, Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Rudiger were all excellent on Saturday.
Hopefully Chelsea can step up in the league and challenge for the title next season.
I thought it was likely that Real Madrid would appoint an Italian manager, but this was a surprise. Allegri of course took himself off the market by rejoining Juve, and Ancelotti certainly has a very different style and personality compared to Conte, and is far less combustible. A few journalists who closely follow Real Madrid and La Liga thought that Perez wouldn't want to bother with Conte due to his track record of quickly falling out with employers (alongside the fact that he his track record in European competitions isn't exactly amazing).
Ancelotti was well liked by the players during his first spell in charge, and many of them at the time including Ronaldo were very angry at the decision to sack him and replace him with Benitez.
La Liga is the only one of the big 5 European league titles that he hasn't won, finishing 3rd in 2014 and 2nd in 2015, so he could potentially complete a very unique achievement. You could argue that he has actually underachieved in terms of league titles given the clubs that he has managed though; notably Juve, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern.
Ancelotti was well liked by the players during his first spell in charge, and many of them at the time including Ronaldo were very angry at the decision to sack him and replace him with Benitez.
La Liga is the only one of the big 5 European league titles that he hasn't won, finishing 3rd in 2014 and 2nd in 2015, so he could potentially complete a very unique achievement. You could argue that he has actually underachieved in terms of league titles given the clubs that he has managed though; notably Juve, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern.
Last edited:
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I've heard people saying Kante should win the Ballon d'Or if he caps the year off by winning the Euro's. It would be hard to argue with that, although after Lewandowski was robbed last year when they cancelled it, and after the year he's had, it would be rough if he misses out again.
Yes they all played a massive part, special mention for Christensen too. It's never easy coming off the bench as a defender, especially when it's your first game back after being out for quite awhile (coincidentally the injury was sustained in the build up to the only goal Man City scored over the 3 games). As for the title next season, it would be great if there was a fight between City, Liverpool, Chelsea and maybe Man Utd. I'm not really sure Chelsea will be able to address the striker situation this summer though, unfortunately. The inability to consistently score goals will probably be too much of a hurdle over 38 games. For me, anyway.
K-H
Hall of Fame
The league would be really difficult. Need to be near perfect these days.
Seems like we're interested in lukaku. Don't know how well that'll work out though
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Yeah I think he's the only realistic option. Even so, he's still going to cost £100 Million (apparently) and we've seen enough of him in the Premier League to know he's good, but not great. Ultimately, he's not the answer.
I'd prefer to just leave it and see if Werner is right when he says he's never had a season with so much bad luck, see if the development Havertz showed the the last 6 weeks of the season can continue next year. That would be the way i'd go if Haaland and Lewandowski aren't possible this summer (which let's face it, they aren't).
K-H
Hall of Fame
I agree. Don't think lukaku will cut it. I think relying on werner again is a risk, but then you've got havertz. He's looking really good in the forward role now. I dont see him as a winger or no. 10, I think he has to be in the centre looking for goals. He might the way forward.
@Sudacafan you ready for the Copa and World Cup?
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
Copa America, you say? No, I am not giving it much importance to the covid diminished competition.
World Cup? Let's hope we get to 2022 with the pandemic under control.
Actually, I don't have many expectations on my national team. Messi has always brought us down in these venues, and he is very lonely in the team.
Team looks good this time around though. The last world cup they were very unorganized, but their new coach is doing a great job.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
Good to know that. I really have not been following the news about my National Team. Like I quit on them after the two Copa America finals lost to Chile, and the WC final lost to Germany in 2014. Too hard to swallow those.
Kind of that I developed a self defense mechanism, so I don't want to have false expectations.
We'll see when the time comes.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Kante GOAT
Though I have to say I hope Lewandowski gets it only because I feel like he got robbed with there not being one in 2020.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Kante GOAT
Though I have to say I hope Lewandowski gets it only because I feel like he got robbed with there not being one in 2020.
I like how they've left the boots alone and shrunk the rest of him.Yeah my guess is it will be Lewandowski as things stand, and he more than deserves it. If Kante is great for France and they win the Euro's though? I could see that tipping it into his favour.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Yeah my guess is it will be Lewandowski as things stand, and he more than deserves it. If Kante is great for France and they win the Euro's though? I could see that tipping it into his favour.
Noob question here - but do they factor in international play for Ballon D'Or? I truly did not know that.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Yeah my guess is it will be Lewandowski as things stand, and he more than deserves it. If Kante is great for France and they win the Euro's though? I could see that tipping it into his favour.
Also:
Yes. One instance of international football being a big factor was Fabio Cannavaro winning the Ballon d'Or in 2006 after captaining Italy to the World Cup.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Kante is in serious contention then. Thanks for the answer.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Perfect example there from @Hamnavoe
These awards aren't really an exact science, unfortunately!
Lewandowski has been ridiculous in the Bundesliga, but he was injured when in counted in the Champions League and it's hard to imagine Poland going too deep at the Euro's.
Then you've got Kante who hasn't done much in the Premier League this season, struggled with injuries and didn't play a whole lot, was kept fresh for the Champions League (where he was flat out incredible for the final 3 games). Then you've got the Euro's where it's hard to imagine France losing, and if that happens, Kante will of played a big part in it, you'd assume.
Not to mention the fact they play totally different positions! It's pretty much impossible to compare them on every level. It was definitely more straight forward when it was a straight fight between Ronaldo and Messi in La Liga every season
T
TheNachoMan
Guest
Giving the award based on 7 games of the year is really erroneous. League and Europe should be the main point of interest
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
I'll admit my noob self thought it was only for that stuff.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I'm with you on that.
Admittedly it's only been warm up games, but the internationals over the last week have reminded me of just how poor the quality of international football is.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I've just saw the penalty. Trying to get my head around what tournament this is, is it like the Euro's but for North/Central America? He was playing the Champions League final a week ago! Must be a short tournament
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
I've just saw the penalty. Trying to get my head around what tournament this is, is it like the Euro's but for North/Central America? He was playing the Champions League final a week ago! Must be a short tournament
Yeah it's some new 'tournament' - I was honestly surprised how into it both teams were. Apparently it's important enough to play Christian the entire 120 minutes (since it went to extra time).
Actually an insane game though. An absolute cracker, not even joking. The fans were NUTS. The Mexico fans were throwing stuff on the pitch constantly, one player got pelted by a bottle. Then after a hard foul on Pulisic the Mexico player tried to rip him up and the Mexico fans threw stuff on the pitch AGAIN.
After the USA penalty make they awarded Mexico a penalty and the backup keeper saved it in the dying moments of the game.
All in all Mexico-USA hate each other with a fiery passion so I'm not surprised this was intense. They had to break up a fight several times. One being at the end of extra time that actually was bad enough to prompt a pause in the game to 'lecture' the two teams.
Referee was a headless chicken and horrible. The first keeper got injured for USA and they slid late right into the second keeper and almost hurt him too (Which prompted the fight and was only met with a yellow).
An angry Mexico fan also ran onto the pitch after the missed penalty.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Sounds good! Games like that will stand America in good stead moving forward. If they can come through games like that then the heat of a World Cup won't be anything to concern them.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Should clarify the fight happened at the end of stoppage time in regulation, not extra time as I originally said. So that set the stage for an even testier 30 minutes of extra time (if that was even possible).
Definitely would recommend checking out the highlights. Crazy, crazy game.
In recent years Mexico clearly had the upper hand over the US in their rivalry (the playoff for the 2017 Confederations Cup, the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and 2019 Gold Cup), so this was an important win for the US.
The failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup is clearly one of the biggest embarrassments in US sporting history, especially given the relative weakness of CONCACAF compared to UEFA or CONMEBOL and the forgiving nature of the CONCACAF qualifying system. Both Mexico and the US should basically have an automatic ticket for every World Cup; Italy and the Netherlands or Chile with Sanchez and Vidal failing to qualify from UEFA or CONMEBOL respectively was nowhere near as bad as that.
But now they have a large number of talented young / youngish players, and at clubs in top European leagues, so the future looks very bright for them, especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup when 75% of the matches will held in their own country.
The failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup is clearly one of the biggest embarrassments in US sporting history, especially given the relative weakness of CONCACAF compared to UEFA or CONMEBOL and the forgiving nature of the CONCACAF qualifying system. Both Mexico and the US should basically have an automatic ticket for every World Cup; Italy and the Netherlands or Chile with Sanchez and Vidal failing to qualify from UEFA or CONMEBOL respectively was nowhere near as bad as that.
But now they have a large number of talented young / youngish players, and at clubs in top European leagues, so the future looks very bright for them, especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup when 75% of the matches will held in their own country.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Yeah I believe this was the first win for the USA over Mexico in 8 years they said that was a non-friendly.
Previously, it looked like the USA generally had the upper hand in the rivalry, notably the 2002 World Cup R16 game (the biggest match that they've ever played against each other), the 2007 Gold Cup final, beating Mexico 2-0 in 4 consecutive World Cup qualifying matches in Columbus etc. though Mexico did score important wins from time to time typically in World Cup qualifiers at Estadio Azteca, the 2011 Gold Cup final etc. But then the USA looked to suffer a steep decline from the 2015 Gold Cup onwards when they lost to Jamaica.
I've always considered Mexico to be one of the biggest underachievers in international football, given they they are a football mad country with a population of 130 million or so, and one of the richest set-ups / federations in the world. They have reached the knockout stage at every World Cup from 1994 onwards which is nice going, though they've always lost in the R16 game. I think they've been clearly hindered by a lack of Mexican players joining / playing regularly for clubs in the top European leagues. If more and more US players continue to move to and play for clubs in the best European leagues, and it doesn't matter if they join smaller Premier League, Bundesliga etc. clubs as they'd still be coming up against the best domestic level competition week in week out helping their development, while Mexican players continue to mostly stay at home, then the USA could potentially leave them in the dust.
In the past I used to get very excited about the Copa America (even as recently as the special centenary 2016 one with 16 teams instead of 12), but less so these days. Clearly South American football in general has noticeably declined, although that is understandable given the lack of money and generally worse infrastructures in South American football compared to European football. Plus the tournament has been overplayed in recent years, with this being the 4th edition of the tournament since 2015.
The Western European countries have such a big advantage with very wealthy FAs / federations (I'd wager that the Argentinean football federation for example is not as wealthy as the Portuguese one, let alone the English, German, French, Spanish etc. ones), relatively large populations within relatively small areas (so it's much easier to get around, scout and monitor players, develop and improve youth academies from city to city and club to club etc.) and of course the best domestic leagues and set-ups.
Still I believe that in the UK the BBC will show every match from the Copa America, as well as splitting the Euros coverage with ITV, so we will enjoy plenty of football on free to air TV this summer !
Even the Euros are not as exciting to me as they were in previous years, when they had what was IMO a perfect 16 team format from 1996-2012. In those days often the Euros were more entertaining than World Cups as the groups were so tight and competitive, and Euro 2000 is possibly the best international tournament that I've ever seen.
The Western European countries have such a big advantage with very wealthy FAs / federations (I'd wager that the Argentinean football federation for example is not as wealthy as the Portuguese one, let alone the English, German, French, Spanish etc. ones), relatively large populations within relatively small areas (so it's much easier to get around, scout and monitor players, develop and improve youth academies from city to city and club to club etc.) and of course the best domestic leagues and set-ups.
Still I believe that in the UK the BBC will show every match from the Copa America, as well as splitting the Euros coverage with ITV, so we will enjoy plenty of football on free to air TV this summer !
Even the Euros are not as exciting to me as they were in previous years, when they had what was IMO a perfect 16 team format from 1996-2012. In those days often the Euros were more entertaining than World Cups as the groups were so tight and competitive, and Euro 2000 is possibly the best international tournament that I've ever seen.
J
joohan
Guest
I think the biggest underachievers in international football could be Kazakhstan. Despite having a population of almost 19 million (the 11th highest in Europe) they spend most of their time mixing with the Andorras and San Marinos of the world.
Ukraine, Turkey and Russia are all also massive countries who should be able to deliver top level teams much more than they do.
Ukraine, Turkey and Russia are all also massive countries who should be able to deliver top level teams much more than they do.
Russia has similar issues to Mexico. Both the Russian and Mexican leagues pay very good salaries (I remember Andres Guardado saying that he could earn more money at a club in Mexico than he was getting paid at Valencia), providing a tempting comfort zone for players, and also leading to a more insular attitude.
Now the Russian and Mexican leagues are far from weak (the Mexican league can also be very entertaining and have a refreshing amount of parity compared to European leagues), but they are clearly not at the level of the top leagues in Western Europe. Often Russian and Mexican players (understandably) want to stay at home and continue to make a very nice living at clubs there, rather than potentially take a pay cut or earn a similar salary, and / or have to fight for their place at club in a much stronger league. Obviously if a European giant comes calling it's a different story. And because more Russian and Mexican in their mid 20s or so stay at home, alongside the fact that many clubs in those leagues are wealthy enough to buy quite a few players from abroad, that reduces the opportunities for younger Russian or Mexican players to gain regular first team football in those leagues. On top of that because the clubs are wealthy, their is less pressure on them to sell cheaply / quickly meaning that they can demand higher transfer fees for their best players, putting off clubs in the top leagues who instead look for cheaper options elsewhere. So from the perspective of the national teams, the talent / production pipeline is inefficient.
More Russian / Mexican players playing for clubs like Crystal Palace, Sassuolo, Freiburg etc., even it's not for the European heavyweights they'd still be playing in world class leagues, would be hugely beneficial for those national teams. On the flipside huge numbers of talented Uruguayan players for example quickly join clubs in the top European leagues, whether it is the giants or smaller clubs (or previously huge clubs in 2nd tier leagues like Ajax or Porto), which massively benefits their national team and production pipeline.
Canada are also huge underachievers. They've failed to reach the final round at any of the last 5 CONCACAF World Cup qualification campaigns (the 'Hex'). Their long-term aim is to establish themselves as the 3rd best team in CONCACAF behind Mexico and the USA, but they've been noticeably worse than the likes of Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Panama, before we get to Costa Rica and Honduras, for quite a while. In the earlier rounds of World Cup qualifying, they often cannot handle away matches in front of hostile crowds / environments in Central America. I did wonder if the fact that they previously qualified automatically for every Gold Cup alongside Mexico and the USA, while the Central American and Caribbean teams had to qualify, was harmful for them due to the relative lack of competitive matches.
Now the Russian and Mexican leagues are far from weak (the Mexican league can also be very entertaining and have a refreshing amount of parity compared to European leagues), but they are clearly not at the level of the top leagues in Western Europe. Often Russian and Mexican players (understandably) want to stay at home and continue to make a very nice living at clubs there, rather than potentially take a pay cut or earn a similar salary, and / or have to fight for their place at club in a much stronger league. Obviously if a European giant comes calling it's a different story. And because more Russian and Mexican in their mid 20s or so stay at home, alongside the fact that many clubs in those leagues are wealthy enough to buy quite a few players from abroad, that reduces the opportunities for younger Russian or Mexican players to gain regular first team football in those leagues. On top of that because the clubs are wealthy, their is less pressure on them to sell cheaply / quickly meaning that they can demand higher transfer fees for their best players, putting off clubs in the top leagues who instead look for cheaper options elsewhere. So from the perspective of the national teams, the talent / production pipeline is inefficient.
More Russian / Mexican players playing for clubs like Crystal Palace, Sassuolo, Freiburg etc., even it's not for the European heavyweights they'd still be playing in world class leagues, would be hugely beneficial for those national teams. On the flipside huge numbers of talented Uruguayan players for example quickly join clubs in the top European leagues, whether it is the giants or smaller clubs (or previously huge clubs in 2nd tier leagues like Ajax or Porto), which massively benefits their national team and production pipeline.
Canada are also huge underachievers. They've failed to reach the final round at any of the last 5 CONCACAF World Cup qualification campaigns (the 'Hex'). Their long-term aim is to establish themselves as the 3rd best team in CONCACAF behind Mexico and the USA, but they've been noticeably worse than the likes of Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Panama, before we get to Costa Rica and Honduras, for quite a while. In the earlier rounds of World Cup qualifying, they often cannot handle away matches in front of hostile crowds / environments in Central America. I did wonder if the fact that they previously qualified automatically for every Gold Cup alongside Mexico and the USA, while the Central American and Caribbean teams had to qualify, was harmful for them due to the relative lack of competitive matches.
Last edited:
Your point about players staying at home vs leaving is very true - I took a quick look at the current Croatian squad and just 6 of 26 still play in Croatia, whereas if you go to Ukraine it is 18 of 26, and higher still among the Russian squad, where 22 of 26 players are domestically based.
I think the reason for this is probably pretty simple - geographical proximity to major leagues. Russia and Ukraine are well out of the way of the major western European leagues, while Croatia is just a short distance away from Italy. Another example of this would be Poland, with their border with Germany, who have only two Ekstraklasa-based players in their squad for this summer's tournament.
It is interesting to wonder just how many rough diamonds there are in more distant countries, say Bulgaria or Macedonia, where clubs on the lookout for up and coming talent simply aren't searching, or are financially unable to search.
I had a player from El Salvador on a Football Manager save once. I picked him up managing Pitea IF, a club in the far north of Sweden who I'd taken from the fourth division up to the Allsvenskan. He was incredible, scored about 35 goals over two seasons, but his agent made sure he had a low buyout clause in his contract so he went off to China for the big bucks. I was gutted.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Hey, everybody. Just couldn't stay away.
Must be mouthwatering. Chelsea to go on a dominating run.
Yeah, we've had some experiences with that agent. Pogba wants to leave our crappy club blah blah blah.
I'm not getting confident about any signings. Trippier says he wants to come, allegedly. We have agreed deal with Sancho (same as last year) but it is all about the fee. So, it just all feels like same rubbish, different year. Can only hope that we get a centre midfield player in. I know McTominay is loved, he was our best player in the final according to the experts. I agree with Roy Keane 100%, Fred and McTominay are not good enough if we really want to be a title challenging side. Also, I'm now questioning Ole again. Just a bit. lol Not Ole out but the tactical decisions in the final didn't fill me with confidence.
Just couldn't stay away.Must be mouthwatering. Chelsea to go on a dominating run.
Yeah, we've had some experiences with that agent. Pogba wants to leave our crappy club blah blah blah.
I'm not getting confident about any signings. Trippier says he wants to come, allegedly. We have agreed deal with Sancho (same as last year) but it is all about the fee. So, it just all feels like same rubbish, different year. Can only hope that we get a centre midfield player in. I know McTominay is loved, he was our best player in the final according to the experts. I agree with Roy Keane 100%, Fred and McTominay are not good enough if we really want to be a title challenging side. Also, I'm now questioning Ole again. Just a bit. lol Not Ole out but the tactical decisions in the final didn't fill me with confidence.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Hey, everybody.
Must be mouthwatering. Chelsea to go on a dominating run.
Yeah, we've had some experiences with that agent. Pogba wants to leave our crappy club blah blah blah.
I'm not getting confident about any signings. Trippier says he wants to come, allegedly. We have agreed deal with Sancho (same as last year) but it is all about the fee. So, it just all feels like same rubbish, different year. Can only hope that we get a centre midfield player in. I know McTominay is loved, he was our best player in the final according to the experts. I agree with Roy Keane 100%, Fred and McTominay are not good enough if we really want to be a title challenging side. Also, I'm now questioning Ole again. Just a bit. lol Not Ole out but the tactical decisions in the final didn't fill me with confidence.
Welcome back! You've been missed, as always.
I know the Man Utd fans were struggling watching the Europa League final without your support, @Federer and Del Potro especially
although i'm sure you were glad you didn't have to witness my pure joy at completing the treble over City in Porto Regarding Haaland, I heard someone say it's like the Mbappe situation in 2017. Both players will be the talents of their generation, they're going to be hard to sign for a number of reasons, the agent, the cost is going to be massive.. but you only have one chance to get them. Chelsea have the funds, they're European Champions and any striker who watches a Chelsea game must fancy themselves to get 3 or 4 a game. Now is the time, next summer will be too late I think.
As for Man Utd, i'm optimistic about them this summer. Sancho will probably get done, even if they mess it up and the deal ends up stumbling over the line. There are a lot of very good midfielders out there at the moment too. Saul could be available for around £35 Million apparently! Locatelli, Barella (although an Italian making the move from Serie A is as rare as hens teeth these days).
I think even if they mess things up a bit and have to resort to 2nd or 3rd choice options, that could still be a great transfer window.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
It looks like Donnarumma is on his way to PSG. Getting one of the best keepers in the world for nothing, well, his contract isn't cheap. Happy days for PSG if this is done. I hear they are getting Wijnaldum as well.
I really enjoyed the United way documentary. Quite sad because it was a nostalgia trip. Just felt like a more powerful nostalgias trip when you consider our position today.
Thank you, mate.
I don't want to say that Pep's tactical changes was the decisive factor because I knew Chelsea were more than capable of beating City no matter what tactics were used. 1-0 was a bit generous in the end. Like you say, get Haaland in there and it could have been a bigger score. And yeah, when you are looking to move, you see the Chelsea squad, with United, it is more about living off their past glory while you are getting it done in the present.
Leicester are making some nice moves, providing they all come off. Their recruitment is usually spot on in recent years.
You're more optimistic than me about our transfers. I'd be expecting us to drag it out forever and maybe get the panic buy right at the end. That seems to be the United way in this day and age. Hope to be wrong about this. I'm still an optimist deep down.
I really enjoyed the United way documentary. Quite sad because it was a nostalgia trip. Just felt like a more powerful nostalgias trip when you consider our position today.
Welcome back! You've been missed, as always.
I know the Man Utd fans were struggling watching the Europa League final without your support, @Federer and Del Potro especially
Regarding Haaland, I heard someone say it's like the Mbappe situation in 2017. Both players will be the talents of their generation, they're going to be hard to sign for a number of reasons, the agent, the cost is going to be massive.. but you only have one chance to get them. Chelsea have the funds, they're European Champions and any striker who watches a Chelsea game must fancy themselves to get 3 or 4 a game. Now is the time, next summer will be too late I think.
As for Man Utd, i'm optimistic about them this summer. Sancho will probably get done, even if they mess it up and the deal ends up stumbling over the line. There are a lot of very good midfielders out there at the moment too. Saul could be available for around £35 Million apparently! Locatelli, Barella (although an Italian making the move from Serie A is as rare as hens teeth these days).
I think even if they mess things up a bit and have to resort to 2nd or 3rd choice options, that could still be a great transfer window.
Thank you, mate.
I don't want to say that Pep's tactical changes was the decisive factor because I knew Chelsea were more than capable of beating City no matter what tactics were used. 1-0 was a bit generous in the end. Like you say, get Haaland in there and it could have been a bigger score. And yeah, when you are looking to move, you see the Chelsea squad, with United, it is more about living off their past glory while you are getting it done in the present.
Leicester are making some nice moves, providing they all come off. Their recruitment is usually spot on in recent years.
You're more optimistic than me about our transfers. I'd be expecting us to drag it out forever and maybe get the panic buy right at the end. That seems to be the United way in this day and age. Hope to be wrong about this. I'm still an optimist deep down.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
I don't really see it as odd, it feels more like a learnt our lesson situation. If only a certain Manchester club could be like that.
Oh, sorry, I'm only back and I'm being all negative about United. Happy thoughts.
T
TheNachoMan
Guest
United finished 2nd despite being really mediocre. There’s positive signs there
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Yeah, we definitely overachieved. Think that had more to do with the unexpected collapse of Liverpool, when we played them again at the end of the season you could see they are still much better than us. Chelsea should be challenging next season.
But yeah, I still think the team is stronger than it has been in some post Ferguson years. Cautious optimism here.
T
TheNachoMan
Guest
Griezmann is already a better manager than Steve Bruce
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
There were a lot of things about the final, and the build up. By the time kick off came around all the nerves had gone, I just knew City wouldn't be winning. Things like how they celebrated when they made the final, it felt like they were so relieved to finally do it and that was their Everest. Contrast that with Chelsea saying "we've won nothing yet, one game to go". Then we had Pep doing his customary tinkering before a European exit, the manager interviews half an hour before the game where Tuchel was smiling and joking and Pep was being spiky and defensive. I think Joe Cole and Lescott in the studio were a microcosm of the whole thing. Joe seemed to get more confident in the build up whilst it felt like Lescott got less confident.
Even so, the first half was just crazy. Chelsea went toe to toe with a City team going all out attack, and beat them at their own game. Second half was a bit of a dull affair though.
Yeah I heard about Trippier. What's the point in that?
AWB had a decent season and hasn't reached his full potential yet. Signing an almost 31 year old seems a bit strange. Hakimi sounds like he's available, surely that's the kind of player you'd be looking at if you're in the market. Well yes, I think my confidence in United having a good summer has more to do with the depth of quality options that could be available in midfield a 4th choice panic buy would probably be someone like Ruben Neves, which is a nice position to be in. United are one of the few teams who can spend this summer so they should be fine.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Donny Van de Beek is having no luck at all. Hardly any game time last season, for reasons I'll never be able to understand, now he has been ruled out of the Euro Championship with an injury.
Four Premier League starts.
Four Premier League starts.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
Argentina football team is pure sh1t. I don’t remember who asked me about it the other day.
I regret he made me remember about it, as I just watched how Colombia made a goal in the last minute to draw 2-2 in a Qatar WC Eliminatorias, in a match Argentina started dominating, going ahead 2-0.
Messi useless, as always.
It was the nth time I promise not to watch Argentina again.
I regret he made me remember about it, as I just watched how Colombia made a goal in the last minute to draw 2-2 in a Qatar WC Eliminatorias, in a match Argentina started dominating, going ahead 2-0.
Messi useless, as always.
It was the nth time I promise not to watch Argentina again.
T
TheNachoMan
Guest
His poor little shoulders have to carry that team. Don’t be too harsh
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
The Argentine Football Association, the coach and his teammates are a disaster.
