Men's Soccer (Football) Thread [Archived] Soccer • Page 638

Imagine if in an alternate universe where life is fair UEFA actually did something about PSG, Man City and all these artificially inflated clubs.

 

Snitches get stitches/their best players taken from them.

 

Serious question, is Spain entering the next golden era for their international play?

 

Eriksen with another dope goal today.

He's about to have a monster season.

 

They won the 2008/2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, so I wouldn't say golden era yet as this group (which still has half of the starters from said previous era). But with the young talent they have, the tournaments are there for the taking.

 

Just thinking about that, being able to replace the five in front of Busquets of David Villa/Torres, Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso with Morata, Asensio, Koke, Saul, and Isco is absurd. Still give the edge (for now) to the older guys, though.

Germany, Brazil, and Spain's depth is unparalleled.

 

I'd include France aswell.

 

I think so. Certainly attack-wise with Isco & Assensio in particular having the potential* to possibly stake claim for being two of Spain's most gifted ever players - they haven't had a Balon D'or winner since 1960 (!) and both those two could win more than one should they continue to progress as they have done. I don't really know much about their future defensive prospects though, no new Sergio Ramos or Pique just yet!


*potential, not 'are' or 'definitely will' be considered two of their most gifted ever, for any JC-esque sticklers in this thread!

 

I'm not even watching the game but England are terrible.

 

Started Rashford on the right, Ox on the left. Were terrible. Switched half way through and improved a bit. Who'd have thought playing players in their actual positions would help?

Kyle Walker having a mare too (arguably at fault with the goal and could have been sent off at the end of the half) and Hart could've done a lot better on the goal.

How on earth is Southgate England manager? Honestly doesn't get talked about enough. This is a man with almost zero managerial experience, other than relegating Boro and U21. Great example of jobs for the boys in the FA.

 

And I know, this isn't a special England team, and the selection pool is pretty poor. But they play like they've never met each other before in their lives. You look at the best international teams, and they all at least have a little bit of chemistry going. England always look like a team of individuals more than anything else, not quite on each others wave length.

 

I don't think it matters who is manager, England still play crap. I agree Southgate shouldn't be manager, but it's a case of there being no good England managers and the FA is now scared of hiring anyone from abroad as they always get it wrong.

Hopefully the team fails to qualify for the World Cup so I can watch it without having to cheer for them.

 

For sure you're right, that there isn't many managers available, or who would be willing to take the job. Sort of a poisoned chalice at this point. I don't really understand why people think the manager has to be English. Look at rugby and cricket - both with Aussie managers/ head coaches, both doing much, much better. There must be a manager willing to take the job that can at least give the team an identity, a style of play to try and attain.

I don't know why I bother watching them anymore. Waste of 90 minutes of my life every time.

 

Almost feel like Iniesta and Casillas would've had one or two by now if two certain individuals didn't exist.

 

They probably should have one by now even with these two players existing. But thats what you get when it is just a popularity contest...

 

Ballon d'Or - Wikipedia

The list of winners is a good read - Kevin Keegan winning 2 in a row in the late 70's! So many awesome players on that list but you get to the last 9 years & Messi + Ronaldo just dominate it. Iniesta should've got it the year he scored the winner in the WC final.

 

Xavi should have won one really. Messi's the only reason he didn't.

 

Agreed, we're living in an age of footballing giants:)

 

What channel is the usmnt match on?

 

I think Away qualifiers are on BeIN.

 

iniesta should have won it in 2010, he genuinely ran the world of football that year

 

This is bullshit!

 

Agreed. Baffles me that ESPN or Fox couldn't/didn't out bid them.

 

Damn, just discovered Napoli bought Adam Ounas?! For ten million?!
Always thought United would go in for him again this summer...

 

BeIN is free on the go90 mobile app but it sucks so I've resulted in watching it on NBC Universo lol