Everything Soccer

[notredomer23]

I enjoy seeing Everton get run.

Quoted without comment.

 

[NDRock]

Quoted without comment.

Yeah, so much from coming out and getting revenge for the Pickford/VD incident. Liverpool look uninspired for sure. Think I saw they have 57 points from their last 34 games (since the restart). One of the biggest drop offs I can remember from an elite team in any sport. They were unreal for that stretch. I’d be surprised if they don’t come back next year and challenge again though.

 

[Rogue219]

I don't know they were ever playing for revenge, but as Tim Howard said, those players know and it had to be on their minds what happened at Goodison.

Shit form. Too many injuries. 18 different centerback pairings this year and it isn't March yet. Shit officating in England. Quite a combination of things. The poor form is most surprising. It's very similar to Klopp's Dortmund team, however. Squad needs refreshing in a number of ways. Some tough decisions coming this summer.

You should not need fired up for a derby. I don't know if they play like that in front of fans at Anfield, but it doesn't matter. They'll have to come back next year without top four and will likely miss out on their top targets because of it. You have midfielders playing centerback and they're all getting injured too. That's on the ownership. Back the best manager you've had in a generation because he's your top asset. Just getting by isn't going to cut it anymore. City's subs the other day were astounding and that's been your bar now for 4 years. You can now look at the worst case scenario and go from there because it happened. Disaster of a season where little has broke your way.

Congrats to Everton though. If there was going to be a year, this was the one. Took massive injuries to Liverpool's squad, several hundred million in spending and a global pandemic to finally beat Liverpool this century. Looking forward to the DVD.

Liverpool season is a wash. Onto baseball. City, PSG or Juve need to win Europe at some point. I still think City get it. They look relentless again.

 

[Rogue219]

2012-13: Manchester United, 89 points Champions
2013-14: Manchester United, 7th, 64 points

2014-15: Chelsea, 87 points Champions
2015-16: Chelsea, 10th, 50 points

2015-16: Leicester, 81 points Champions
2016-17: Leicester, 12th, 44 points

2019-20 Liverpool 99 points
2020-21: TBD

Roberto Firmino needs a rest, but there really isn't anyone who can play in his place unless they change the formation. He's 30 years old and has played a lot of minutes in the last 3-4 years. Way too many miles on the tires.

 

[Rogue219]

The father of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has died after drowning in a lake near his holiday home in southern Brazil on Wednesday, according to local police.

FFS. What's next....

Incredibly awful. My God.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

FFS. What's next....

Incredibly awful. My God.

Horrible tragedy. I feel terrible for him and his family.

 

[dublinirish]

FFS. What's next....

Incredibly awful. My God.

terrible news indeed. Liverpool proper cursed this year

 

[Rogue219]

Such a shit year. I mean, when you ask yourself "what's next", someone gets hurt or someone has a parent die. Come on.

To watch City right now, I have to go back and really appreciate the run that Liverpool went on for 2 1/2 years. A year ago Liverpool beat West Ham 3-2. It was a run that capped 35 wins and 1 draw in 36 matches over the span of one year. 106 points from 108. The greatest run in 132 years of top tier European football.

It took all of THAT to dethrone THIS City team.

Van Dijk - 29
Gomez - 25
Matip - 23
Keita - 22
Ox - 20
Jota - 17
Tsimikas - 17
Fabinho - 9
Shaqiri - 9
Milner - 9
Alisson - 8
Henderson - 5 (plus now 12 weeks)
Trent - 4
Mane - 3
Salah - 1

Games missed through injury this season. That's maddening.

 

[Rogue219]

Steven Gerrard's Rangers have lost one match all year, 3-2 to St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup.

26 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses in the league. Ubeaten in Europa League with 9 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses and have moved onto the next knockout round.

Remarkable season.

 

[notredomer23]

Steven Gerrard's Rangers have lost one match all year, 3-2 to St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup.

26 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses in the league. Ubeaten in Europa League with 9 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses and have moved onto the next knockout round.

Remarkable season.

Nice to see some competition up in Scotland. I hope for his sake he doesn't make the jump to the first EPL team that offers him a job and actually waits for the right opportunity. I am sure there will be a few calls this summer.

 

[Rogue219]

Nice to see some competition up in Scotland. I hope for his sake he doesn't make the jump to the first EPL team that offers him a job and actually waits for the right opportunity. I am sure there will be a few calls this summer.

I hope Fat Frank goes to Celtic and Stevie hangs around to kick his ass.

 

[Rogue219]

RedBird Capital will acquire a 10% stake in FSG for $750M. RedBird are majority owners in Toulouse FC & American Football League XFL. They’ve put lots of money into both projects.

Let's hope this is the start of good things to come for the summer and beyond. Liverpool's net spend since 2016 is less than Sheffield, Brighton and some other bottom half of the table clubs in the PL right now. You won't compete with Citah this way long term.

Chelsea are set to drop another $300M this summer, too, reportedly.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Let's hope this is the start of good things to come for the summer and beyond. Liverpool's net spend since 2016 is less than Sheffield, Brighton and some other bottom half of the table clubs in the PL right now. You won't compete with Citah this way long term.

Chelsea are set to drop another $300M this summer, too, reportedly.

It was reported that Tuchel gets to break the bank for a signing, most think he'll go after Haaland (along with quite a few other clubs).

 

[Rogue219]

It was reported that Tuchel gets to break the bank for a signing, most think he'll go after Haaland (along with quite a few other clubs).

I think everyone wants him, though, if we're being honest. He's going to cost a fortune, too.

MBappe has said he only wants to play left wing wherever he goes. Should be an interesting summer.

Personally, I like Patson Daka and Donyell Malen. Both are 22 years old and can be had for far less. Can play across the front three. Young, hungry talents.

 

[notredomer23]

I think everyone wants him, though, if we're being honest. He's going to cost a fortune, too.

MBappe has said he only wants to play left wing wherever he goes. Should be an interesting summer.

Personally, I like Patson Daka and Donyell Malen. Both are 22 years old and can be had for far less. Can play across the front three. Young, hungry talents.

I've seen Antony from Ajax get a lot of hype too. Pace for days.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

It was reported that Tuchel gets to break the bank for a signing, most think he'll go after Haaland (along with quite a few other clubs).

Top four in England is going to play a big factor in where Haaland goes this summer.
There is also a possibility the BvB does not secure Champions league football with their current form.
538 only has them at 40% chance as of right now.
If that were to happen, then BvB would be almost forced to sell this summer.

If Chelsea is able to secure Champions league football, then they are City's biggest rival in signing him in my opinion.
The other biggest factor going against City in the chase for Haaland is his relationship with super agent Mino Raiola
Anybody that knows the history between Pep and Mino will understand why this will be difficult for City.
City have never signed a Mino Raiola client, and there is reported bad blood between the City management team and him so that might be the main reason Haaland will not transfer to City.

Of course, if he wants to play for Madrid or Barca then there really is not much any of the English clubs can do.

It is going to be a fascinating story to follow, I cannot remember the last time a true number 9 hit the market at such a young age.
Lukaku the summer he transferred to United comes to mind, but I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

p

Top four in England is going to play a big factor in where Haaland goes this summer.
There is also a possibility the BvB does not secure Champions league football with their current form.
538 only has them at 40% chance as of right now.
If that were to happen, then BvB would be almost forced to sell this summer.

If Chelsea is able to secure Champions league football, then they are City's biggest rival in signing him in my opinion.
The other biggest factor going against City in the chase for Haaland is his relationship with super agent Mino Raiola
Anybody that knows the history between Pep and Mino will understand why this will be difficult for City.
City have never signed a Mino Raiola client, and there is reported bad blood between the City management team and him so that might be the main reason Haaland will not transfer to City.

Of course, if he wants to play for Madrid or Barca then there really is not much any of the English clubs can do.

It is going to be a fascinating story to follow, I cannot remember the last time a true number 9 hit the market at such a young age.
Lukaku the summer he transferred to United comes to mind, but I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.

Yep, agreed on the top four in England having a huge impact. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least Sancho and Haaland leave if they don't get CL. Raiola is a dick, but he gets a ton of money for his clients. Manchester United hate him, especially how he's been acting with Pogba.

Barca is (reportedly) broke. I'm interested to see what Real does, I figured they'd be going hard after Neymar or Mbappe if they have the money.

Have there been any more rumblings about Messi and City?

 

[CTIDANDREW]

p

Yep, agreed on the top four in England having a huge impact. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least Sancho and Haaland leave if they don't get CL. Raiola is a dick, but he gets a ton of money for his clients. Manchester United hate him, especially how he's been acting with Pogba.

Barca is (reportedly) broke. I'm interested to see what Real does, I figured they'd be going hard after Neymar or Mbappe if they have the money.

Have there been any more rumblings about Messi and City?

In my opinion, we will know a lot more about Messi and his Barca future after the Barca Presidential election on March 7th.

Based on the news/articles I have read, Joan Laporta is the candidate that Messi wants to win, and if he does it could lead to Messi staying.

However, news on Messi is notoriously hard to gather, as he is one of the most reclusive sport stars in modern history.

I'm obviously basis, but if he does leave Barca this summer I do not believe it will be for anyone other then City.
1. Pep & Soriano (CEO) / Txiki (Director of Football) all former Barca men who Messi and his Father/Agent have great relationships with. (Reportedly)
2. World Class Squad
3. Partnership with MLS (NYCFC) which would allow him to play out his remaining years in arguably the biggest media market in the world.
4. Money $$$$

PSG could be a player, but I just cannot see Messi wanting to play in Ligue 1.

 

[notredomer23]

Don't think it will happen this summer, but Gio Reyna is a lock to play for Man City at some point as long as he keeps progressing. Dad played for them and was part of CFG for 6 years, plus Gio played in the NYCFC academy from its inception.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Liverpool will continue to only spend what we bring in. Unless we sell Mane or Salah we will not be in it for any big names. Our net spending is a joke and now FSG has a built in excuse of Covid.

 

[NDRock]

I watch a ton of EPL soccer but don't really get too much into reading about it or following transfers or other news. Is this whole "net spend" a thing? I really only hear Liverpool fans talk about it. Is this the soccer version of ND fans talking about academics when things go bad?

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I watch a ton of EPL soccer but don't really get too much into reading about it or following transfers or other news. Is this whole "net spend" a thing? I really only hear Liverpool fans talk about it. Is this the soccer version of ND fans talking about academics when things go bad?

Look at this link and see where one of the biggest clubs in the world ( Liverpool) ranks in the premier league.

https://www.planetfootball.com/quic...ubs-ranked-by-net-spend-over-last-five-years/

 

[Rogue219]

I still think Messi winds up at Inter Milan.

With Financial Fair Play being a total farce, I reallly don't pay attention to all of the transfer rumors as much as before. We all know how these clubs operate and unless there is an ownership change they'll continue to operate as such without much variance. Newcastle, for example, is an absolute tragedy considering their support and what a scumbag their owner is. The fact that Saudis were coming in to try and buy them only to be met with fierce opposition shows you exactly what the other clubs in England already know: nobody wants another Chelsea or Citah in England. Including Chelsea and Citah.

Clubs like Southampton, Ajax, Monaco, etc will be feeder clubs for the big guys. Even new money RB Leipzig is going to churn out talent for the bigger blue blood clubs. Bayern, Juve, Citah, PSG will dominate domestically. The wild card right now is La Liga because Barca and Real not only need massive overhauls but they are both in financial trouble. It's hard to say who can actually come in and fill that void.

Clubs with American owners will continue to believe that Moneyball shit works in this sport.

 

[Rogue219]

Look at this link and see where one of the biggest clubs in the world ( Liverpool) ranks in the premier league.

https://www.planetfootball.com/quic...ubs-ranked-by-net-spend-over-last-five-years/

This is just England. I'm willing to bet in the other four major leagues the variance is even more.

You have to factor wages too. Once you pay the transfer fee, you own the guy and you have to pay him.

There is certainly more to this, as it is really just a glimpse and not the entire story, but it does give an indication of the landscape if even only a partial one.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I watch a ton of EPL soccer but don't really get too much into reading about it or following transfers or other news. Is this whole "net spend" a thing? I really only hear Liverpool fans talk about it. Is this the soccer version of ND fans talking about academics when things go bad?

IMO net spend isnt a thing. Most of the successful clubs prior to COVID had wealthy benefactors that just dump money into the club. It seem extremely unviable. The FFP is an attempt in England to learn from the past but its not been policed very well. I think Liverpool's model is great. It has taken the club from a most assured administration supervision to a stable successful club that has allowed for the infrastructure to be improved as well as competing on the highest level.

If you think LIverpool is going to go out and buy Mbappe you are smokin some good shit. There are very few teams that are capable of taking on that financial debt to cover his transfer fee (>$250mil) plus weekly wages ($200-300k?) Liverpool would have to sell the equivalent of Mo and Mane to get Mbappe.

Same for Messi... his contract and associated fees are unbelievable. At some point these stars are going to cost too much to buy without incurring massive debt to the club that only a couple of teams could withstand.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I still think Messi winds up at Inter Milan.

With Financial Fair Play being a total farce, I reallly don't pay attention to all of the transfer rumors as much as before. We all know how these clubs operate and unless there is an ownership change they'll continue to operate as such without much variance. Newcastle, for example, is an absolute tragedy considering their support and what a scumbag their owner is. The fact that Saudis were coming in to try and buy them only to be met with fierce opposition shows you exactly what the other clubs in England already know: nobody wants another Chelsea or Citah in England. Including Chelsea and Citah.

Clubs like Southampton, Ajax, Monaco, etc will be feeder clubs for the big guys. Even new money RB Leipzig is going to churn out talent for the bigger blue blood clubs. Bayern, Juve, Citah, PSG will dominate domestically. The wild card right now is La Liga because Barca and Real not only need massive overhauls but they are both in financial trouble. It's hard to say who can actually come in and fill that void.

Clubs with American owners will continue to believe that Moneyball shit works in this sport.

I went back and looked at all the talent Southampton and Ajax churned out over the last decade and its utterly insane what they have done.

 

[notredomer23]

I went back and looked at all the talent Southampton and Ajax churned out over the last decade and its utterly insane what they have done.

You can add in Porto and Benfica to there as well, though I guess they may be considered tier 1.B clubs. Back to 2010, they have a net balance of +$1.1 BILLION dollars. Literally insane to think about it that that type of profit is just from the transfer market, and if you're a fan you gotta be a lotta pissed that isn't getting reinvested into higher quality players.

 

[Rogue219]

It was Barcelona for a long time. Not sure now.

I'd put Sporting Lisbon up there above Porto and Benfica. Some good South American clubs would be Boca Juniors, River Plate, Santos.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Juve is picking up WM on a permanent!

 

[notredomer23]

Juve is picking up WM on a permanent!

Love this. Exciting time to be a US soccer fan. Midfield is so loaded I won't even be that disappointed if Musah chooses England over US.