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The 2015-2016 Football Thread

daneoni said:
People can't be 'assed anymore. Also people can't complain too much, because overall, the squad is strong and stronger than last season on paper. We just haven't got going yet.
Even if we're not at full strength, and still missing 2 pieces to reach the next level.

Plus the fact is, there is a shortage of top CFs, CBs/DMs and even GKs globally.

Many are still developing and therefore ridiculously overpriced (Martial, De Bruyne, Sterling, Draxler). The finished articles are settled/locked into lengthy contracts (Cavani, Lewy, KB9). Either that or you go for those on the wrong side of 30 and still pay a premium.
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looking into less known names or less known leagues sure can yield players which aren't really big on the radar: Dortmund bought lew for 5 million
The japanese league also continues to deliver good & cheap players for the Bundesliga

A player in Austria where i was surprised that he didn't get snatched up by a lower PL team but by a St. Etienne
Robert Beric(24): fairly physical attributes and yet good ball handling and absolutely clinical goal scorer which very often can score 1-2 goals from like 3 goal opportunities
Score 48 goals for Maribor in Slovenia in 90 games,
25 goals for sturm Graz in 35 games (more than 10 assists, and the rest of the team was rubbish mid league squad that season)
33 goals in 49 games at Rapid Wien

sure not a player for the english top 6 but considering that he left Rapid for a 5 million fee he would have been a great choice.
He is clearly a better player than the former Rapid Jelavic who is currently playing in the PL

Other player where i'm surprised no one bothers so far: Max Meyer, opposed to Draxler he actually developed further quite a bit. 2 Years from now he will be worth 20 mio+
Hakan Calhanoglu(21): currently one of the best and most consistent free-kick takers. Not only in the Bundesliga but world wide. Excellent central midfield playmaker. If he was playing in the PL he would be worth 40 mio, easily.
 
takao said:
looking into less known names or less known leagues sure can yield players which aren't really big on the radar: Dortmund bought lew for 5 million
The japanese league also continues to deliver good & cheap players for the Bundesliga

A player in Austria where i was surprised that he didn't get snatched up by a lower PL team but by a St. Etienne
Robert Beric(24): fairly physical attributes and yet good ball handling and absolutely clinical goal scorer which very often can score 1-2 goals from like 3 goal opportunities
Score 48 goals for Maribor in Slovenia in 90 games,
25 goals for sturm Graz in 35 games (more than 10 assists, and the rest of the team was rubbish mid league squad that season)
33 goals in 49 games at Rapid Wien

sure not a player for the english top 6 but considering that he left Rapid for a 5 million fee he would have been a great choice.
He is clearly a better player than the former Rapid Jelavic who is currently playing in the PL

Other player where i'm surprised no one bothers so far: Max Meyer, opposed to Draxler he actually developed further quite a bit. 2 Years from now he will be worth 20 mio+
Hakan Calhanoglu(21): currently one of the best and most consistent free-kick takers. Not only in the Bundesliga but world wide. Excellent central midfield playmaker. If he was playing in the PL he would be worth 40 mio, easily.
Click to expand...

Draxler had a terrible last season, in my opinion quite overpriced due to the fact that Wolfsburg made so much money selling de Bruyne. But you're correct in stating that clubs need to look harder at lesser known leagues, while of course running a bigger risk of the player not perfoming/adjusting in/to the new league.
 
daneoni said:
People can't be 'assed anymore. Also people can't complain too much, because overall, the squad is strong and stronger than last season on paper. We just haven't got going yet.
Even if we're not at full strength, and still missing 2 pieces to reach the next level.

Plus the fact is, there is a shortage of top CFs, CBs/DMs and even GKs globally.

Many are still developing and therefore ridiculously overpriced (Martial, De Bruyne, Sterling, Draxler). The finished articles are settled/locked into lengthy contracts (Cavani, Lewy, KB9). Either that or you go for those on the wrong side of 30 and still pay a premium.

Wenger is still annoyingly lackadaisical but its also clear he's a lot more picky nowadays. For better or worse.
Click to expand...


Rumour has it that he was intersted in Cavani but PSG wanted £50m and Wenger didn't want to pay that for someone who has no resale value due to his age

However, they're still being linked with him in January
 
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Fizzoid said:
Rumour has it that he was intersted in Cavani but PSG wanted £50m and Wenger didn't want to pay that for someone who has no resale value due to his age

However, they're still being linked with him in January
Click to expand...

at the rate THE MASSIVE WEDNESDAY are going i'm surprised we've not signed him!
 
takao said:
...

Other player where i'm surprised no one bothers so far: Max Meyer, opposed to Draxler he actually developed further quite a bit. 2 Years from now he will be worth 20 mio+
Hakan Calhanoglu(21): currently one of the best and most consistent free-kick takers. Not only in the Bundesliga but world wide. Excellent central midfield playmaker. If he was playing in the PL he would be worth 40 mio, easily.
Click to expand...

I've seen Meyer mentioned on some English forums, same with Calhanoglu - a lot of talk during last season's Fantasy Champions League. Likely a number of clubs are sniffing around - maybe they haven't been given the green light? Is Meyer a Bayern fan?

Cheers,
OW
 
IMO both need (heavily) to step up their game. But they're still young so that's to be considered of course. Cahanoglu to me looks like a young Podolski, great shooting technique but overall a bit lacking - don't think he'll ever become a top player at a big club. Think Meyer has probably more potential but is he even a starter at Schalke? There is a lot of hype going on all around - interesting to see how Draxler fares now and whether he's actually able to reach the next level. Only problem with that is his new club. I hate how this 08/15 club is all over the press now.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind a really good beating in the CL for that team. :D
 
Fizzoid said:
Rumour has it that he was intersted in Cavani but PSG wanted £50m and Wenger didn't want to pay that for someone who has no resale value due to his age

However, they're still being linked with him in January
Click to expand...

Can't say i really blame him. PSG being cheeky with that one. Cavani for £50m whilst passable in the current market, is still questionable. PSG clearly trying to recoup their Di Maria splurge.

Its a good move for Cavani though. He gets to play central, in front of one of the most creative midfields in Europe, for an incessantly patient Manager who blindly trusts his players. No brainer for him.

I'd be surprised if it happens in January...or ever. Considering Ibra is in his golden years and PSG have to replace him eventually.

But i certainly won't complain if Cavani ends up in an Arsenal shirt.
 
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Hmm, haven't really seen him lately, except maybe the Chelsea games last CL season, does he still score a lot? Looked a bit...engaged...but ultimately lacking leathal force in terms of goal scoring. But could be just me or eventually the system he has to play in.
 
twietee said:
Hmm, haven't really seen him lately, except maybe the Chelsea games last CL season, does he still score a lot? Looked a bit...engaged...but ultimately lacking leathal force in terms of goal scoring. But could be just me or eventually the system he has to play in.
Click to expand...

He's not really that prolific. Chips in a goal or two every other game. Also misses a few sitters. But people give him the 'he's been forced to play winger/different system' excuse. Confidence may not be all that high either thanks to Suarez/Ibra.

KB9 isn't really lethal either, more a creative forward that sets-up CR7. He's rarely been La Liga's top scorer which is why i didn't really get the hype, but considering the market...one can't really be too picky nowadays.

Lewy, Muller, Ibra, Aguero, Suarez etc are the true potent forwards.
 
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I rate Benzema quite high. But I just see him play 90mins probably like six times a year at the very max, so nothing too substantial. He'd be perfect for Arsenal I think.

And I'm one of the few who isn't that amazed by Müller. Good and unconventional forward though, that's for sure - but isn't a true no9 either in my book. maybe It's mostly because I find him quite annoying while almost 'everybody' paints him as the second coming in terms of refreshing personality.
 
I don't really know him. Just know he's lethal in front of goal.

Besides, Arsenal could do with a lot of 'unconventional' right now.
 
USA vs. Peru, friendly game::
(US fan)
the defense from the US was alseep the first half. the second half US woke up and Altidore did a great job with the 2 double taps that he did, that was quick thinking by him. happy that Bedoya was playing also, he is a good player.
 
Centaurr said:
USA vs. Peru, friendly game::
(US fan)
the defense from the US was alseep the first half. the second half US woke up and Altidore did a great job with the 2 double taps that he did, that was quick thinking by him. happy that Bedoya was playing also, he is a good player.
Click to expand...

This would have been the most underwhelming game of the weekend had it not been for England's 6-0 against San Marino. Kudos to Altidore for working hard and getting his goals but overall I'm not filled with confidence against Mexico. Can we bet them? Yes, absolutely. But Mexico know how to step up for the big games and USA are still looking very shaky at the back without being over-productive in the goals department.

England always manage a few of these results in qualifying, smashing the minnows they should smash. To be fair, Shelvey made the most of his opportunities but while England look like a good team, they don't look like a great team.

When Rooney gets his record does he become the best English striker of all time?
 
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Mexico is in a transition period cause they have a new coach plus right now they are a 1 man team, the only good player is Chicharito. I feel strong about USA, they have improved big time and they have many good players rite now on their roster.

As far as Rooney goes, he has always been a top player for me, one of the best out of England even thou i hate Man U.
 
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Centaurr said:
Mexico is in a transition period cause they have a new coach plus right now they are a 1 man team, the only good player is Chicharito. I feel strong about USA, they have improved big time and they have many good players rite now on their roster.
Click to expand...

USA always out-works Mexico, but Mexico are often better at controlling the tempo of the game (usually slowing it down). Chicharito does not look very convincing or confident right now (the missed pen/sitter for Man Utd was a farce) - I'd say their best player at the moment was Ochoa. If I were being an optimist I'd say that the managerial change may unsettle them and give USA some advantage.
 
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Lord Blackadder said:
the Crew will be severely shorthanded for the September 6 match against Dallas.
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And 3:0 Dallas. As a Revs fan, they are my local team after all, I am happy to have the top 4 in the MLS East be a bit of a horse race. Makes for an exciting next couple of months.

Am scared since we get to face the Montreal Impact with Drogba twice in the next few weeks.

B
 
First time ever Germany scored more than twice against Scotland. ;)

Didn't really follow last/this year: how's Can doing at Liverpool? Hope he doesn't play RB more often..
 
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Underrated, really? Maybe in England, he's all over the news here. Comes across a bit too self-centered, but still young and lot of potential. Nice to hear he's doing well at Liverpool though. Cheers!
 
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