The TT Football Club

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I think Javi is a defensive midfielder, not exactly a holding one, per say. He can fill in at the back if one of Bayern's wing backs decide to venture forward, or swap around positions with other defenders. He's a better passer than any defender I can remember, though. I would have loved him at Chelsea.

Yeah, he seems to share his time between centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose City already have that in Rodwell. I agree he would do a good job at Chelsea, we need someone who can break play up and play the simple pass, which is why Tiote has been linked over the past few years I suppose. I'd like that Capoue at Toulouse for that role, last year he averaged 6.3 possessions won back every game, Mikel for instance averaged 3. He's also a brilliant passer, just what is needed. It's no real surprise that he was voted the best in Ligue 1 last year at the role, ahead of M'Vila. Him and Mikel to do the defensive side of the holding, with Cabaye and Xhaka to do the creating and it would be the best Chelsea team i've ever seen. Just a shame the club don't see it that way, Xhaka is called the little Schweinsteiger, a player we have wanted for years, why not get the second coming when he's young? He went to Germany for £5 Million this summer, tough to swallow.

Abramovich has this Barcelona obsession, the cornerstone of what makes them work is Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. Nobody can get close to the ball and they dominate from there. He buys all these great wingers and attackers, but neglects to improve the hub of the team in the middle.. it's baffling.
 

NickC

Professional
Yeah, he seems to share his time between centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose City already have that in Rodwell. I agree he would do a good job at Chelsea, we need someone who can break play up and play the simple pass, which is why Tiote has been linked over the past few years I suppose. I'd like that Capoue at Toulouse for that role, last year he averaged 6.3 possessions won back every game, Mikel for instance averaged 3. He's also a brilliant passer, just what is needed. It's no real surprise that he was voted the best in Ligue 1 last year at the role, ahead of M'Vila. Him and Mikel to do the defensive side of the holding, with Cabaye and Xhaka to do the creating and it would be the best Chelsea team i've ever seen. Just a shame the club don't see it that way, Xhaka is called the little Schweinsteiger, a player we have wanted for years, why not get the second coming when he's young? He went to Germany for £5 Million this summer, tough to swallow.

Abramovich has this Barcelona obsession, the cornerstone of what makes them work is Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. Nobody can get close to the ball and they dominate from there. He buys all these great wingers and attackers, but neglects to improve the hub of the team in the middle.. it's baffling.

I hadn't heard much of Xhaka, until I rewatched Basel's matches this past term and I can see what the fuss is all about. The kid is good. Really f'in good. Borrusia will be welcome in the Champions League this term, good to see them back after almost getting sent down 2 seasons ago. Yeah I too don't understand Roman's unwillingness to improve the center of the team, there were tons of players last summer, as well as this past one where we could have signed on the cheap.

I also never knew Essien was still as young as he is; he could do a job until he gets injured again and we find a permanent replacement.

I wish Makalele could clone himself and then find a time machine to de-age himself by 12-13 years, that's EXACTLY the kind of player Chelsea need at the moment, albeit with a better range of passing.


Come to think of it, we should have released Mikel when the Champions League was over. Why is he still in the team?
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I hadn't heard much of Xhaka, until I rewatched Basel's matches this past term and I can see what the fuss is all about. The kid is good. Really f'in good. Borrusia will be welcome in the Champions League this term, good to see them back after almost getting sent down 2 seasons ago. Yeah I too don't understand Roman's unwillingness to improve the center of the team, there were tons of players last summer, as well as this past one where we could have signed on the cheap.

I also never knew Essien was still as young as he is; he could do a job until he gets injured again and we find a permanent replacement.

I wish Makalele could clone himself and then find a time machine to de-age himself by 12-13 years, that's EXACTLY the kind of player Chelsea need at the moment, albeit with a better range of passing.


Come to think of it, we should have released Mikel when the Champions League was over. Why is he still in the team?

Xhaka is incredible, Shaqiri is a great player and got most of the attention from their run. I remember seeing a quote from an old Basel coach about the two.. "Xherdan Shaqiri is 'the best talent in Switzerland,' Thorsten Fink recently said. But the former Basel coach was quick to add ... "after Granit Xhaka."

It's pretty dishearting to see young players of such quality, in a problem area of ours, just pass us by without even looking. It raises alot of questions.

I think Mikel is still here because he has alot of experience, he's still very young, which is easy to forget. He's a decent player, he's just not really top level, which is what we need if we want to grow and be winning more Champions League's.

As for Essien, he's just lost it all together unfortunately. Not really surprising considering what he's been through with injuries. There was talk of Fenerbahce wanting him and Meireles if they got into the Champions League, that probably won't be happening since they lost to Spartak.

If it was down to me i'd of probably sold them both by now, bringing in Capoue, Cabaye and Xhaka. Those 3 along with Lampard and Mikel would of been great, lots of youth, quality, balance, nothing too expensive. We could of pretty much been set up for the next 10 years for under £30 Million. Considering Martinez went for £32 Million, it shows how it costs going for more established players can be. I think if Barcelona buy Romeu back at the end of the year the fee is around £12 Million, the outlay on solving the midfield would of been minimal, especially considering how it would raise us to the very top tier again.
 

Breaker

Legend
Cavani is supposedly close to agreeing a new contract with Napoli, with a lower £30 Million release clause to help a move away. Abramovich is saying Sturridge can go for £15 Million, and he will stump up the rest for Cavani. 2 days to get everything sorted seems a bit of a push, will be interesting to see what happens though!

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/footba...up-as-daniel-sturridge-replacement-at-chelsea

Martinez has gone to Bayern, Breaker. I'm still not really sure if he's a holding midfielder or a centre back. Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Gustavo mean they are strong in midfield, i'd guess they want him more as a centre back.

That's another great signing for them, they were already really impressive playing equally with Madrid in Champions League semis last year and probably should have won it before penalties, a signing like this makes them possibly the best club in terms of depth in Europe. They'll probably still find a way to lose the league to Dortmund but in Champions League they have to be near Madrid and Barca as favourites now.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
That's another great signing for them, they were already really impressive playing equally with Madrid in Champions League semis last year and probably should have won it before penalties, a signing like this makes them possibly the best club in terms of depth in Europe. They'll probably still find a way to lose the league to Dortmund but in Champions League they have to be near Madrid and Barca as favourites now.

Yeah, they were the better team, pretty impressive considering it was in the Bernabeu. Shame they got a good seeing to in the final in Munich really! ;)

They have Shaqiri too, they've done some great business. I think £32 Million for Martinez is a bit expensive though. Is he really worth the same as Hazard? Probably not.

Interesting to see the 3 way fight for Remy. Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City it looks like. Could be the story on deadline day.
 

Breaker

Legend
Yeah, they were the better team, pretty impressive considering it was in the Bernabeu. Shame they got a good seeing to in the final in Munich really! ;)

They have Shaqiri too, they've done some great business. I think £32 Million for Martinez is a bit expensive though. Is he really worth the same as Hazard? Probably not.

Interesting to see the 3 way fight for Remy. Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City it looks like. Could be the story on deadline day.

Yeah can't believe they even got to extra time in the final, different class that Chelsea! At least they were closer than Barca who might as well have been a League 2 side.

Martinez definitely overpriced, but with them losing both he and Llorente I'd guess they wanted to get every bit they could out of selling him so they can rebuild a bit. As for Remy I'm not so sure, unless Mancini already has someone to buy Dzeko can't see that being a great buy, 5 forwards all wanting a spot in the starting 11 every week can't end well, already was difficult enough with 3 last year when Tevez went on his golf tour. Both Chelsea and Tottenspuds are more desperate for forwards so has to be one of them.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Yeah can't believe they even got to extra time in the final, different class that Chelsea! At least they were closer than Barca who might as well have been a League 2 side.

Martinez definitely overpriced, but with them losing both he and Llorente I'd guess they wanted to get every bit they could out of selling him so they can rebuild a bit. As for Remy I'm not so sure, unless Mancini already has someone to buy Dzeko can't see that being a great buy, 5 forwards all wanting a spot in the starting 11 every week can't end well, already was difficult enough with 3 last year when Tevez went on his golf tour. Both Chelsea and Tottenspuds are more desperate for forwards so has to be one of them.

Bayern Munich were lucky really, played for penalties if you ask me!

True, Llorente to Liverpool is the latest i've heard. Losing both of them is a shame, they were a fun team to watch the last few years. I agree about Remy not really making much sense for City. This Fiorentina defender is suppsedly the new Vidic, if he does turn out to be near that, alongside Kompany, it looks like a good buy for you.

I think Remy would be best at Spurs. He seems like that level, not Championship winning calibre, but a very good top 6 player. When you think we have been linked with Falcao, Cavani, Lewandowski, Hulk etc.. Remy would know he was way down the list and a bit of a panic buy.
 

Ross K

Legend
Okay, so with Dembele done and dusted, and Spurs going after Remy, probably Lloris, hopefully Moutinho, and quite possibly 1 or 2 more, although very late in the day, at least we´re finally trying to bring in the players I think we´re in severe need of. There´s also a few we need to get rid of too... Jermaine Jenas anybody?... Tom Huddlestone?... Bentley and Dos Santos?... some West Ham or Stoke players in the making there methinks.:wink:
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Okay, so with Dembele done and dusted, and Spurs going after Remy, probably Lloris, hopefully Moutinho, and quite possibly 1 or 2 more, although very late in the day, at least we´re finally trying to bring in the players I think we´re in severe need of. There´s also a few we need to get rid of too... Jermaine Jenas anybody?... Tom Huddlestone?... Bentley and Dos Santos?... some West Ham or Stoke players in the making there methinks.:wink:

Levy is in Marseille to talk about Remy, looks like he'll be off to Spurs then! I think Man City were only interested if Sinclair didn't happen, but it has in the last hour. Can you believe Swansea got them to pay £8 Million for him? :) they then went and payed £5 Million for Pablo Hernandez! He's a winger with alot more quality, yet another piece of great business by Swansea.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
How do Man Utd get these easy groups every time? Although we all know how that turned out last year :)

City obvously got the toughest one. Madrid, City, Ajax and Dortmund.. wow. Chelsea's is tough, going to Ukraine for Shakhtar, Juventus were unbeaten for the entire season last year. Tough that one of those 3 will be knocked out.
 

Breaker

Legend
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Group of death twice in a row, bring it on :)..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
1346344863_extras_portada_0.jpg


Group of death twice in a row, bring it on :)..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell

It's hard to feel sorry for City, the level of quality throughout that they have. Two years in a row though? Ouch. It could be a good thing, you have to start of playing your best from day 1, no chance of you taking it lightly. If you do get through the group they will be stronger for it.
 

NickC

Professional
1346344863_extras_portada_0.jpg


Group of death twice in a row, bring it on :)..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell

Yeah I'm actually excited for City, whoever makes it out of that group will make it to the final at the very least. They've got the quality to give anyone in their group a real test, and the fans must be overjoyed to be able to have the likes of Real Madrid, Dortmund and Ajax grace their pitch.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Yeah I'm actually excited for City, whoever makes it out of that group will make it to the final at the very least. They've got the quality to give anyone in their group a real test, and the fans must be overjoyed to be able to have the likes of Real Madrid, Dortmund and Ajax grace their pitch.

I wouldn't say whoever gets through it will go to the final :) Madrid might though. Ajax aren't that great, so it will be a shootout between the other 3 I think. Dortmund didn't do too well last year so they will be under pressure. I still expect Madrid and City to go through.

No doubt it's a tough group though. I think we should get out of ours, Skakhtar is going to be a tough trip, then you get into their stadium with the noise and a pretty good, technical team, the weather might well be cold too. I think Juventus could be the surprise package of the tournament, if you can call them that. I wouldn't be surprised to see them get to the semi's maybe.

The paper this morning had Madrid, City, Juventus and Barcelona as the semi finalists. Sounds like a decent bet.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Looks like being a busy day then.

Carroll already gone to West Ham, Arsenal want Essien, Meireles could go, Sturridge to Liverpool, Schurrle coming in, Javi Garcia at Man City, whatever Tottenham do. One for Nick aswell, Vargas to Genoa it looks like.

Oh and then the main event, the Super Cup :)
 

NickC

Professional
Looks like being a busy day then.

Carroll already gone to West Ham, Arsenal want Essien, Meireles could go, Sturridge to Liverpool, Schurrle coming in, Javi Garcia at Man City, whatever Tottenham do. One for Nick aswell, Vargas to Genoa it looks like.

Oh and then the main event, the Super Cup :)

I still don't know why Meireles is going, yeah he's not amazing but he's a decent utility man in the midfield and can play in two positions we're lacking in; central midfield and holding midfield. He can pass, shoot, dribble, whatever. Giving him up unless it's for a player and cash would be a mistake unless we have a world class player lined up.

LOL Arsenal want Essien? Schurrle is good, still young too!
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I still don't know why Meireles is going, yeah he's not amazing but he's a decent utility man in the midfield and can play in two positions we're lacking in; central midfield and holding midfield. He can pass, shoot, dribble, whatever. Giving him up unless it's for a player and cash would be a mistake unless we have a world class player lined up.

LOL Arsenal want Essien? Schurrle is good, still young too!

We've been pretty quiet apart from sending out a few on loan, that and according to Twitter, Man Utd rejected a £38 Million bid for Howard Webb :)

Meireles doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Schurrle was all over every paper last night, everyone had the story at the same time so I thought it was pretty much a done thing. Today though and nothing has been mentioned, weird! Remy is the one that has been, £16 Million I think it was.

Javi Garcia for £16 Million is a good buy I think. Talks for Moutinho with Spurs broke down, but looks like they will get Lloris.
 

Breaker

Legend
Falcao yet again, BEAST, bet Chelsea put in a bid before half time. Torres goes the other way and they play for the other team second half :)
 
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NickC

Professional
Falcao is a f*cking animal. 100 million plus Torres, GET IT DONE ROMAN!

And what's this I'm hearing of Real Madrid putting a bid in......to sign Essien of all people. They're trying to ditch Lass Diarra and want Essien to be their backup hard man in midfield. Odd choice, but maybe Mou can turn him back into the player he was 7 years ago.

Dempsey to Spurs confirmed!?!?!?!
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Dempsey is having a medical at Spurs yeah, all done.

As for the game tonight, well that wasn't embarrasing at all :) not really surprising though. We just didn't have any control in midfield, couldn't get a foot hold in the game on any level. Not dynamic enough, no creativity to get the ball to Mata or Hazard, they couldn't create any space or have the passing ability to get out of tight situations.

It's the same thing we've seen for years and done nothing about. Any team with a strong, balanced midfield know they can do that Chelsea.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Falcao is a f*cking animal. 100 million plus Torres, GET IT DONE ROMAN!

And what's this I'm hearing of Real Madrid putting a bid in......to sign Essien of all people. They're trying to ditch Lass Diarra and want Essien to be their backup hard man in midfield. Odd choice, but maybe Mou can turn him back into the player he was 7 years ago.

Dempsey to Spurs confirmed!?!?!?!

Yeah, when Essien was left out of the squad you knew something was happening.

That leaves our midfield for the season with Romeu (has he even played under Di Matteo?) Mikel, Lampard and Meireles. I've heard of parking the bus, but teams will be driving it straight through the middle of us!
 

Ross K

Legend
The usual tortuous last day transfer countdown for Spurs fans - quite why it always has to be like this at WHL is a bit of a mystery to me. The likes of your AFCs and MUFCs etc usually wrap their signings up well before the final day.

And how disappointing too, with plenty of players sold etc, and especially after eventually flogging Modric, and then yesterday, Van Der Vaart - without question the fans were really wanting and semi-expecting Moutinho. So, whilst arguably Lloris and Dempsey are good signings (I´m not sure about Lloris TBH and still think we need a top notch top tier forward), where oh where is the creativity in midfield??? :confused:

I don´t get it quite frankly...

How´s everyone else feeling now re their squads after the transfer window has shut?
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
The usual tortuous last day transfer countdown for Spurs fans - quite why it always has to be like this at WHL is a bit of a mystery to me. The likes of your AFCs and MUFCs etc usually wrap their signings up well before the final day.

And how disappointing too, with plenty of players sold etc, and especially after eventually flogging Modric, and then yesterday, Van Der Vaart - without question the fans were really wanting and semi-expecting Moutinho. So, whilst arguably Lloris and Dempsey are good signings (I´m not sure about Lloris TBH and still think we need a top notch top tier forward), where oh where is the creativity in midfield??? :confused:

I don´t get it quite frankly...

How´s everyone else feeling now re their squads after the transfer window has shut?

We're one striker short, and the midfield has got worse with Essien going (if that was even possible). We had 4 problem areas, and solved two, which is good. The striking problem can be solved in the next window or two. The midfield won't be solved for awhile, that's what will hold us back.

As for Spurs, I think going after Moutinho was a mistake. Great player and would be good for Spurs, but Porto are so tough to deal with. Look at how they hung on and overpriced Hulk all summer. For Spurs to think they could pull of a deal for Moutinho in a day was never going to happen. Even so, good keeper, centre back, Dembele, Adeb&yor, Sigurdsson, Dempsey etc.. it's a decent window!
 

Ross K

Legend
OMG... for the second week running AVB has gone all ultra defensive defending a one goal lead against a team we should be bossing and got us pegged back... as the forums reveal all too clearly, they are really loving this over at the Bridge... so, just a few weeks in and the pressure is already massively piled on to AVB´s shoulders... poor results... poor transfer window IMO... and the top sides still to play... I´m not going to lie to you lads, I´m feeling nervous.

On a wider note, I´ll say again one of the things I´m most looking forward to this season though is seeing how Lambert, Rodgers and Laudrup - as well as AVB - fare with their sides this season. All have some excellent, attractive credentials, and I certainly paid each one serious consideration when thinking who I wanted to replace Redknapp at Spurs. It will be fascinating to watch.
 
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Feña14

G.O.A.T.
OMG... for the second week running AVB has gone all ultra defensive defending a one goal lead against a team we should be bossing and got us pegged back... as the forums reveal all too clearly, they are really loving this over at the Bridge... so, just a few weeks in and the pressure is already massively piled on to AVB´s shoulders... poor results... poor transfer window IMO... and the top sides still to play... I´m not going to lie to you lads, I´m feeling nervous.

On a wider note, I´ll say again one of the things I´m most looking forward to this season though is seeing how Lambert, Rodgers and Laudrup - as well as AVB - fare with their sides this season. All have some excellent, attractive credentials, and I certainly paid each one serious consideration when thinking who I wanted to replace Redknapp at Spurs. It will be fascinating to watch.

Agreed, the teams in Premier League this year are all very strong. West Brom are doing very well, as are Swansea. Southampton have showed they won't be easy either. QPR have alot of good players and will do well I think. Everton who usually have a rubbish start have got off toa decent one this time too.

As for AVB, I didn't see todays game. You say he went defensive? That's interesting! At Chelsea he loved the high line and our defense was pretty poor. Interesting to see him going for a different approach at Spurs. You'd of thought with the strong midfield, wingers and attackers he would of looked to focus on that so it's a strange one, your defense isn't your strength imo.
 

PureAlph4

Semi-Pro
I wouldn't worry too much.

There are no exceptional teams / squads in the 4th - 8th place mini-league, and I don't think any team is consistent enough to build up a lead. A relatively strong start isn't critical as every one of those teams will have at least a couple of bad spells of 5 or so games.

Really need at least a point at Anfield tomorrow to get our points tally moving, or at least a goal! Liverpool were effective last week against City (notwithstanding the masochism - a trait both clubs share) and Arsenal have been strong in possession (but with no cutting edge), so it will be interesting to see how the game turns out.

For me this is the first hurdle at which the effect of the sale of Song can be judged. It is all well and good playing 'weaker' teams at home with no genuine shield for your defence, but away against a 'stronger' team is where you need at least one. Arteta seems to have been sitting deepest of the MFs, and against Stoke there were plenty of occasions where he was scampering back to try and disrupt the opposition counter, but that is not his game. Wenger clearly believes in Coquelin, but we'll see tomorrow whether he actually has him earmarked for that role, or whether he plans to proceed with the (suicidal in my view) option of not playing a genuine DM against the best opponents. The next few fixtures will tell: Liverpool (A), Southampton (H), City (A), Chelsea (H). If we don't start scoring we could very easily be on 3 points after 6 games (a bit like last year)!
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I wouldn't worry too much.

There are no exceptional teams / squads in the 4th - 8th place mini-league, and I don't think any team is consistent enough to build up a lead. A relatively strong start isn't critical as every one of those teams will have at least a couple of bad spells of 5 or so games.

Really need at least a point at Anfield tomorrow to get our points tally moving, or at least a goal! Liverpool were effective last week against City (notwithstanding the masochism - a trait both clubs share) and Arsenal have been strong in possession (but with no cutting edge), so it will be interesting to see how the game turns out.

For me this is the first hurdle at which the effect of the sale of Song can be judged. It is all well and good playing 'weaker' teams at home with no genuine shield for your defence, but away against a 'stronger' team is where you need at least one. Arteta seems to have been sitting deepest of the MFs, and against Stoke there were plenty of occasions where he was scampering back to try and disrupt the opposition counter, but that is not his game. Wenger clearly believes in Coquelin, but we'll see tomorrow whether he actually has him earmarked for that role, or whether he plans to proceed with the (suicidal in my view) option of not playing a genuine DM against the best opponents. The next few fixtures will tell: Liverpool (A), Southampton (H), City (A), Chelsea (H). If we don't start scoring we could very easily be on 3 points after 6 games (a bit like last year)!

I think that Chelsea game coming up could be amazing. On paper you should do very well, you have the kind of passing in midfield we can't compete with. Hazard, Mata and Torres will fancy themselves against the Arsenal defence though. Could be another high scoring game like last year, although there is no van Persie to punish us this time :)
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Quick question. Anyone have any thoughts about the coloured nets we see more these days? Man City have black ones, Everton blue, Liverpool have the red ones again now like in the '90's.
Chelsea had black ones 8 or so years ago, I much prefer them to regular white ones.
 

Breaker

Legend
Quick question. Anyone have any thoughts about the coloured nets we see more these days? Man City have black ones, Everton blue, Liverpool have the red ones again now like in the '90's.
Chelsea had black ones 8 or so years ago, I much prefer them to regular white ones.

Black is the way forward, looks sexy as

An agreement between Chelsea and Atletico has been agreed? £48 Million in January? Nice :)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo.../Radamel-Falcao-join-Chelsea-48m-January.html

Just in time to save your lot from a relegation scrap then, good business if true which I'd wager it isn't :lol:
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Black is the way forward, looks sexy as

Just in time to save your lot from a relegation scrap then, good business if true which I'd wager it isn't :lol:

It does look good, all colours do I think. It's a shame we got rid of the black ones, the white ball against the black net was nice!

Yeah i'm sure it's not true either. It's all over South America, that's where the story came from. Would be great to have him but let's be honest, we don't give our forwards alot to go on. Torres had 1 half chance yesterday, that was it. Maybe Falcao would of scored it, but the chances need to be there. If I were him i'd be happy living off the chances Atletico are creating for him at the moment! The huge wages would be nice, but he seems like he loves scoring.
 

Breaker

Legend
It does look good, all colours do I think. It's a shame we got rid of the black ones, the white ball against the black net was nice!

Yeah i'm sure it's not true either. It's all over South America, that's where the story came from. Would be great to have him but let's be honest, we don't give our forwards alot to go on. Torres had 1 half chance yesterday, that was it. Maybe Falcao would of scored it, but the chances need to be there. If I were him i'd be happy living off the chances Atletico are creating for him at the moment! The huge wages would be nice, but he seems like he loves scoring.

I think Falcao would force a lot more chances to be created than Torres, who these days seems to spend more time dribbling outside the box than poaching or taking quality shots, maybe it is down to tactics but he's been the same since his last year at Liverpool. Falcao doesn't have his dribbling skill or maybe even his pace but as a centre forward it's not even a contest imo, though only maybe 4-5 forwards in the world can make it one!

I'm a personal subscriber to the theory Roman is forcing RDM to have Torres as his first choice forward and wouldn't let him bring a replacement or competition in, wants that 50 million put to good use.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I think Falcao would force a lot more chances to be created than Torres, who these days seems to spend more time dribbling outside the box than poaching or taking quality shots, maybe it is down to tactics but he's been the same since his last year at Liverpool. Falcao doesn't have his dribbling skill or maybe even his pace but as a centre forward it's not even a contest imo, though only maybe 4-5 forwards in the world can make it one!

I'm a personal subscriber to the theory Roman is forcing RDM to have Torres as his first choice forward and wouldn't let him bring a replacement or competition in, wants that 50 million put to good use.

Could well be the case with Torres and Abramovich, the chances just aren't there for him though for some reason. When they are he's started to put them away. Maybe the team is just so used to not having to give the striker anything, Drogba used to do it all himself. I suppose Falcao is more in that mold so he would be useful.

It just goes to show how you should pull the trigger on players when you identify them. We know Aguero was really close to Chelsea 3 years ago, even talking about players as if they were new team mates at one point. The club didn't want to pay his wages though. We could of had Falcao for £36 Million last year, the club thought he was too expensive.

If a player is the right one and the money is there, you have to go for it really. We missed out on both of those and instead got Torres for £50 Million and £200,000 a week. Aguero was cheaper and wanted lower wages. Not good.
 

Breaker

Legend
Could well be the case with Torres and Abramovich, the chances just aren't there for him though for some reason. When they are he's started to put them away. Maybe the team is just so used to not having to give the striker anything, Drogba used to do it all himself. I suppose Falcao is more in that mold so he would be useful.

It just goes to show how you should pull the trigger on players when you identify them. We know Aguero was really close to Chelsea 3 years ago, even talking about players as if they were new team mates at one point. The club didn't want to pay his wages though. We could of had Falcao for £36 Million last year, the club thought he was too expensive.

If a player is the right one and the money is there, you have to go for it really. We missed out on both of those and instead got Torres for £50 Million and £200,000 a week. Aguero was cheaper and wanted lower wages. Not good.

I really would like to know what happened behind closed doors to get that figure for a Torres who hadn't produced his best level for over a year, certainly doesn't seem like something Ancelotti would have wanted to happen and really your squad hasn't had the same balance since, and when you see someone like Ade go for £5m when he scored around 20 goals last year and 15 the year before and it sounds even more odd, I'm not sure there will ever be a transfer quite like that one again - makes the £17m paid for Santa Cruz look like a bargain.
 

NickC

Professional
Falcao can create chances when he's standing still, something I don't think Torres can do.

That's because Falcao is awesome whilst Torres isn't. I also think Falcao is much more creative whereas Torres is a glorified box striker who isn't great at creating his own chances. Falcao is a team player but is more opportunistic and creative when it comes to searching for a route towards goal. Torres just runs forward hoping the ball will find him.
 

PureAlph4

Semi-Pro
Great result for Arsenal today. Many positives for both teams though.

Amazing how United can manage to infuriate so many fans with no vested interest in their games!
 

PED

Legend
Great result for Arsenal today. Many positives for both teams though.

Amazing how United can manage to infuriate so many fans with no vested interest in their games!

Nice result today. Giroud is having a tough adjustment period. Diaby almost looked like Viera out there. Jenkinson played better than I thought as well.

Wish Santos started at lb, he could provide the crosses into the box that Gibbs cannot.

Wonder if Walcott has learned not to cross Wenger, Ox was quite ineffective but Vemaelen was immense withe armband.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Nice result today. Giroud is having a tough adjustment period. Diaby almost looked like Viera out there. Jenkinson played better than I thought as well.

Wish Santos started at lb, he could provide the crosses into the box that Gibbs cannot.

Wonder if Walcott has learned not to cross Wenger, Ox was quite ineffective but Vemaelen was immense withe armband.

I noticed that with Diaby too. He set Giroud up in the first half after running the length of the pitch, it seemed like it only took him 4 or 5 strides! Bould seems to of worked alot with the defence. To think there is still Sagna and Koscielny to come in eventually. What's wrong with Szczesny? I heard he's injured.
 

NickC

Professional
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2197278/Falcao-keen-Premier-League-January.html

'Falcao has always wanted to play in the Premier League. Ever since he was a boy he has loved Chelsea and has always thought it would be an honour to play for a big Premier League team.’

When asked about the chances of his son playing in the Premier League by the time the next transfer window closes, his father confirmed: ‘Yes, it’s very likely.’

Good. Hopefully we can send Torres the other way.

Ronaldo unsettled at Real? Let the games begin :)

I saw that too! Does anyone know why he's so bummed? I hear it's something to do with the club's treatment of Kaka, with whom Ronnie is quite close.

If anything happens he'll be at PSG in a year or two. Hell, Madrid could actually make a profit off him if they play their cards right.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Ronaldo unsettled at Real? Let the games begin :)

Strange one! Maybe he has an issue with Essien? :)

The way Ronaldo rose above him to score in the Champions League final, you'd of thought he would of had good memories!

Would be interesting if he did move, you can only really see Man City, PSG, Anzi and Chelsea being able to afford him. You can't see him playing in England for a team other than Man Utd, whilst France and Russia don't really seem fitting for such a player.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Good. Hopefully we can send Torres the other way.

Maybe he will leave yeah. Sturridge or Schurrle, Lukaku learning well at West Brom and Falcao would be enough in the striking department.

You'd think £20 Million for Torres is gettable, Juventus maybe? That would mean a total outlay of £28 Million on getting Falcao. Considering his quality, it would seem like good business.
 

NickC

Professional
Strange one! Maybe he has an issue with Essien? :)

The way Ronaldo rose above him to score in the Champions League final, you'd of thought he would of had good memories!

Would be interesting if he did move, you can only really see Man City, PSG, Anzi and Chelsea being able to afford him. You can't see him playing in England for a team other than Man Utd, whilst France and Russia don't really seem fitting for such a player.

PSG or maybe Inter? Nike would help Massimo shell out the needed cash.

But about Essien, he could be dynamic in Madrid's midfield if he gets back to health, which will probably happen because La Liga is less physical. He can rotate in the back of their midfield with Kedira, Coentrao, Ramos, Marcelo, etc... to let them move into attack or even push forward himself and hit one from 35-40 yards. He can play across the defense or the midfield. Amazing pickup, I have a feeling he'll play a bigger part than you or I would think in their campaign and they could win the Champions League.


Of course if that happens, Ronnie will be off to PSG.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
PSG or maybe Inter? Nike would help Massimo shell out the needed cash.

But about Essien, he could be dynamic in Madrid's midfield if he gets back to health, which will probably happen because La Liga is less physical. He can rotate in the back of their midfield with Kedira, Coentrao, Ramos, Marcelo, etc... to let them move into attack or even push forward himself and hit one from 35-40 yards. He can play across the defense or the midfield. Amazing pickup, I have a feeling he'll play a bigger part than you or I would think in their campaign and they could win the Champions League.


Of course if that happens, Ronnie will be off to PSG.

I certainly think Madrid are probably slight favourites for the Champions League, not sure how much of an impact Essien will have though :)
With Khedira, Alonso and Modric fighting for those 2 positions, I can't see him getting too many games. I suppose he's there for depth, you can play him after a hard midweek game in Europe and he'll do a good job.

Hopefully he gets back to fitness, he just looks like he can't move anymore. He turns like a tank and he's nowhere near as dynamic. It's a real shame but his knees must be unrecognisable these days.
 
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