"Back of the net!": The Football Thread

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  • Posts: 17,753
    This was a bore of a final. Didn't expect many goals, but would have thought both teams could create more chances than we got. Hazard and Courtois had a good day on the pitch.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Utd fans showing their class by pretty much all legging it for the tube before the cup is presented.
  • Posts: 4,044
    Can wait for England v Belgium. Jones got absolutely raped.
    He’ll be dropped by then.
  • Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    Can wait for England v Belgium. Jones got absolutely raped.
    He’ll be dropped by then.

    Was the squad presented by Southgate the final one, or was it a preliminary squad?
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    Mourinho saying in the interview with Viasat that if United won in the way Chelsea did today, they'd be criticized of playing too boring.
    https://www.viasport.no/sport/fotball/nyheter/her-bjeffer-mourinho-til-fjortoft
  • Posts: 7,507
    Mourinho saying in the interview with Viasat that if United won in the way Chelsea did today, they'd be criticized of playing too boring.
    https://www.viasport.no/sport/fotball/nyheter/her-bjeffer-mourinho-til-fjortoft


    What is definitely not boring is watching Mourinho when he loses! :))
  • Posts: 4,044
    vzok wrote: »
    Can wait for England v Belgium. Jones got absolutely raped.
    He’ll be dropped by then.

    Was the squad presented by Southgate the final one, or was it a preliminary squad?

    Final I think.
  • Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    vzok wrote: »
    Can wait for England v Belgium. Jones got absolutely raped.
    He’ll be dropped by then.

    Was the squad presented by Southgate the final one, or was it a preliminary squad?

    Final I think.

    That means no Smalling, then?
  • Posts: 17,753
    jobo wrote: »
    Mourinho saying in the interview with Viasat that if United won in the way Chelsea did today, they'd be criticized of playing too boring.
    https://www.viasport.no/sport/fotball/nyheter/her-bjeffer-mourinho-til-fjortoft


    What is definitely not boring is watching Mourinho when he loses! :))

    Indeed!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited May 2018 Posts: 7,114
    A small country like Belgium doesn't have a golden generation every decade, so when we do one hopes that the federation can provide that generation with an actual football coach.

    Instead Belgium have Roberto Martinez. This delusional idiot has selected players from the Premier League who have had an abysmal season like Chadli and Benteke, but leaves out a regular of a CL semi-finalist and third spot in Serie A, Nainggolan.

    Belgian pre-selection for the World Cup:

    Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
    Michy Batshuayi (Dortmund)
    Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
    Dedryck Boyata (Celtic)
    Yannick Carrasco (something in China)
    Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
    Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
    Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles)
    Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
    Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City)
    Mousa Dembélé (Tottenham)
    Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht)
    Marouane Fellaini (Man. United)
    Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
    Thorgan Hazard (Mönchengladbach)
    Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad)
    Christian Kabasele (Watford)
    Vincent Kompany (Man. City)
    Jordan Lukaku (Lazio)
    Romelu Lukaku (Man. United)
    Dries Mertens (Napoli)
    Thomas Meunier (PSG)
    Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
    Matz Sels (Anderlecht)
    Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
    Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
    Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
    Axel Witsel (something in China)
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    A small country like Belgium doesn't have a golden generation every decade, so when we do one hopes that the federation can provide that generation with an actual football coach.

    Instead Belgium have Roberto Martinez. This delusional idiot has selected players from the Premier League who have had an abysmal season like Chadli and Benteke, but leaves out a regular of a CL semi-finalist and third spot in Serie A, Nainggolan.

    Belgian pre-selection for the World Cup:

    Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
    Michy Batshuayi (Dortmund)
    Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
    Dedryck Boyata (Celtic)
    Yannick Carrasco (something in China)
    Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
    Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
    Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles)
    Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
    Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City)
    Mousa Dembélé (Tottenham)
    Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht)
    Marouane Fellaini (Man. United)
    Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
    Thorgan Hazard (Mönchengladbach)
    Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad)
    Christian Kabasele (Watford)
    Vincent Kompany (Man. City)
    Jordan Lukaku (Lazio)
    Romelu Lukaku (Man. United)
    Dries Mertens (Napoli)
    Thomas Meunier (PSG)
    Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
    Matz Sels (Anderlecht)
    Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
    Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
    Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
    Axel Witsel (something in China)

    Who, besides Nainggolan (who is strange to not see included, btw) misses out?
  • Posts: 7,507
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    A small country like Belgium doesn't have a golden generation every decade, so when we do one hopes that the federation can provide that generation with an actual football coach.

    Instead Belgium have Roberto Martinez. This delusional idiot has selected players from the Premier League who have had an abysmal season like Chadli and Benteke, but leaves out a regular of a CL semi-finalist and third spot in Serie A, Nainggolan.

    Belgian pre-selection for the World Cup:

    Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
    Michy Batshuayi (Dortmund)
    Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
    Dedryck Boyata (Celtic)
    Yannick Carrasco (something in China)
    Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
    Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
    Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles)
    Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
    Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City)
    Mousa Dembélé (Tottenham)
    Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht)
    Marouane Fellaini (Man. United)
    Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
    Thorgan Hazard (Mönchengladbach)
    Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad)
    Christian Kabasele (Watford)
    Vincent Kompany (Man. City)
    Jordan Lukaku (Lazio)
    Romelu Lukaku (Man. United)
    Dries Mertens (Napoli)
    Thomas Meunier (PSG)
    Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
    Matz Sels (Anderlecht)
    Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
    Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
    Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
    Axel Witsel (something in China)


    He didn't select Nainggolan? Wtf??

    Personaly I hate the guy since he has a habit of injuring players... But there is no doubt he is one of the best midfielders in the world right now. He would be a given in any world cup squad! And that even regardless of form.
  • Posts: 17,753
    Mauro Icardi not in the Argentinian World Cup squad.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    A small country like Belgium doesn't have a golden generation every decade, so when we do one hopes that the federation can provide that generation with an actual football coach.

    Instead Belgium have Roberto Martinez. This delusional idiot has selected players from the Premier League who have had an abysmal season like Chadli and Benteke, but leaves out a regular of a CL semi-finalist and third spot in Serie A, Nainggolan.

    Belgian pre-selection for the World Cup:

    Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
    Michy Batshuayi (Dortmund)
    Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
    Dedryck Boyata (Celtic)
    Yannick Carrasco (something in China)
    Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
    Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
    Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles)
    Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
    Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City)
    Mousa Dembélé (Tottenham)
    Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht)
    Marouane Fellaini (Man. United)
    Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
    Thorgan Hazard (Mönchengladbach)
    Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad)
    Christian Kabasele (Watford)
    Vincent Kompany (Man. City)
    Jordan Lukaku (Lazio)
    Romelu Lukaku (Man. United)
    Dries Mertens (Napoli)
    Thomas Meunier (PSG)
    Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
    Matz Sels (Anderlecht)
    Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
    Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
    Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
    Axel Witsel (something in China)
    My heart bleeds mate.

    You could have a shit manager and a squad without any world class players like Hazard, De Bruyne and Courtois.

    Christ who would have thought the day would ever come that an Englishman would envy a Belgian.
  • Posts: 17,753
    Santi Cazorla - as expected, leaves Arsenal at the end of his contract. Not surprised, but still a bit sad that Arsenal fans will not have the pleasure of seeing him play for the team again.
  • Posts: 4,044
    What happened to Arteta?
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    To be fair after the circus spectacle of the last few years even Dick Emery would be an improvement.
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    What happened to Arteta?

    Who knows. According to reports, he was all but ready to be announced, then came the news about Emery meeting with the club today. We really don't know what's just media nonsense, and what's not.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    vzok wrote: »
    What happened to Arteta?
    I think what might have scuppered him is that Emery actually has a CV and even the Arsenal board aren’t that gormless.
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    What happened to Arteta?
    I think what might have scuppered him is that Emery actually has a CV and even the Arsenal board aren’t that gormless.

    You never know with that board, though…
    _______
    Think i read somewhere that Arsenal was supposed to talk with Emery no matter the outcome of the talks with Arteta - as they should if given the opportunity.

    Another factor (besides the obvious one), is that Arsenal need to pay a compensation to City - if I understood the reports correctly, while Emery comes for free.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    vzok wrote: »
    What happened to Arteta?
    I think what might have scuppered him is that Emery actually has a CV and even the Arsenal board aren’t that gormless.

    You never know with that board, though…
    _______
    Think i read somewhere that Arsenal was supposed to talk with Emery no matter the outcome of the talks with Arteta - as they should if given the opportunity.

    Another factor (besides the obvious one), is that Arsenal need to pay a compensation to City - if I understood the reports correctly, while Emery comes for free.
    That’s more like it. Anything to save a few bob. You’re only lucky they didn’t find out Pards charges less.

    And what are London Utd playing at hiring a guy who has actually won titles? Can only assume it’s some sort of tax dodge as the two Davids and Karen are hardly likely to show a statement of intent are they.
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    What happened to Arteta?
    I think what might have scuppered him is that Emery actually has a CV and even the Arsenal board aren’t that gormless.

    You never know with that board, though…
    _______
    Think i read somewhere that Arsenal was supposed to talk with Emery no matter the outcome of the talks with Arteta - as they should if given the opportunity.

    Another factor (besides the obvious one), is that Arsenal need to pay a compensation to City - if I understood the reports correctly, while Emery comes for free.
    That’s more like it. Anything to save a few bob. You’re only lucky they didn’t find out Pards charges less.

    And what are London Utd playing at hiring a guy who has actually won titles? Can only assume it’s some sort of tax dodge as the two Davids and Karen are hardly likely to show a statement of intent are they.

    Yeah, it's really more like Arsenal as we know it. As far as I know, Kroenke have never put money into the club (other than buying shares from various shareholders to get his majority, of course), so there you go. If they can save on anything, they will. Don't know about Emery's salary compared to that of Arteta (if he were to take the job) - and the compensation to City. Could have evened out.

    Yet another factor, is that Emery will most likely have his regular assistant coach with him. Arteta would have to build a team around him from scratch more or less (with a few exceptions). Doing that before the World Cup while at the same time signing players and preparing the team for the next season, could prove difficult. Add to that the fact he's not been a manager - ever.

    _____________
    I really don't know how West Ham can lure Pellegrini to London Stadium. They would need to offer him a very sweet deal - as you mention, probably with a nice tax dodge solution.

    One article lists Pellegrini's salary in China at €12 million (£ 10.53m). Evening Standard reports that West Ham are to pay Manuel Pellegrini £10m - more than that tweet I posted above. We don't know how much there is to these numbers, but a different article I found lists Wenger's last contract at £8.30m, Zidane at £8, Klopp at £7m, Conte at £6.5m, and Pochettino at £5.5m! Where do they get all that money from? Are West Ham and the owners really THAT wealthy?!

    On top of that you have the (more or less) free stadium they got…
  • Posts: 4,044
    Taxpayers probably covering his wages.
  • edited May 2018 Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    Taxpayers probably covering his wages.

    We can't be surprised about anything in football anymore, haha!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    vzok wrote: »
    Taxpayers probably covering his wages.
    Good shout. Just bung 1% on everyone’s income tax.

    I really cannot see how West Ham would pay that and even then why would you go there? They might lure you in with big talk but they need to spend about 500m to even have a sniff of challenging for top 4 and I can tell you categorically now that there’s no way the porn brothers have a) got that money and b) would spend it if they had it.
  • Posts: 17,753
    vzok wrote: »
    Taxpayers probably covering his wages.
    Good shout. Just bung 1% on everyone’s income tax.

    I really cannot see how West Ham would pay that and even then why would you go there? They might lure you in with big talk but they need to spend about 500m to even have a sniff of challenging for top 4 and I can tell you categorically now that there’s no way the porn brothers have a) got that money and b) would spend it if they had it.

    The…porn brothers?
    West Ham spending big like that is new, that's for sure. With the money they're paying Pellegrini to manage the team (the only reason to go there in the first place?), what do they have left to spend on players anyway?

    Are they counting on Pellegrini to bring in former players of his? Think I read somewhere Yaya Touré was linked to West Ham.
  • Posts: 4,044
    They’d be lucky to get Kolo.
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