The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

[TheRiddick]

Well, Tosic is in, and from what I saw of him so far, he will fit well, he just needs better conditioning, up to EPL standards, plus some more weight and muscle, same issue Fletcher had when he was brought in years ago. Rumors are that Ribery will be Ronaldo's replacement and although Germans kep saying No, with a new coach to be installed soon enough their resolve to keep the guy plus Uniteds ability to pay a lot (using the proceeds from Ronaldo's sale) could change people's minds. Tevez is gone and I see Berbatov as a sub next year, no team in EPL can play 10 men in every game Berbatov is on, he's got more talent than most anyone around, but his laziness eventually costs the team, 10 men on for most of the season catches up quickly and makes the 10 men very tired and spent (we see it now). Welback will be loaned out, so will Frazier again, or both sold to bring one more true striker (Macheda is one). And one more central defender, they have a great young kid in the academy, but will probably go for one more experienced body, should have kept Pique, but then again we'd never find out how good Evans can be. They are set in the middle for now, hopefully Hargreaves will come back healthy (yet another option to replace Ronaldo, although risky due to Owen' on-going medical issues). Scholes is gone next year, Anderson will step up. And I still need to see Ljajic, supposedly he's the real deal and another option to replace Ronaldo.

I expected Everton to step up today and they did, away at a great team. Moyes needs more funds this summer to make next year's EPL more interesting beyond the usual 4-5 teams and out, I really hope team's management gets him the mney required. Arsenal could be scary next year as well depending on injuries. Chelsea must start bringing young blood in, this year shows they are getting old fast. 'Pool? Get rid of Benitez and start buying strikers to help out Torres, Benitez's expenditures, over 200M pounds and counting, have so far failed to bring in any trophies, that's the poorest ROI I have seen so far at any team in EPL or Europe for that matter.

While, I can't say I agree entirely about getting rid of Benitez, Jason has mentioned the reek Parry issue, which according to Rafa da Gaffa, will straighten things out. Although I thought he was outside his mind when he was considering losing Alonso to pick up Barry. I think Rafa is a pretty good coach. Time will tell. Personally I think the Gerrard/Torres combination is a pretty decent one at WORST. While Gerrard isn't a true striker, I think he pairs well with Torres. I think Benitez has made some good buys in the past bit, Skrtel, Reira, I think Ngog will do acceptably, and Insua as he has pretty much proven. A good manager must have time, I think 'the hackman' needed more time, but wasn't the best fit for Chelsea. Yes, hiddink has done well, and should be kept if possible by the chelsea boardroom. I think If Benny can keep his defensive corps together(AGGER DAMNIT). I have trouble with complaining about kuyt on the wing thing, because he has the knack for popping up with goals on the occassion and the man will flat run until he cannot move. I think Benayoun is a better fit there and would produce more but I'm not the boss. TO refute your "trophyless claim" 2005 CL Cup, 2006 FA Cup, 2006 (or 7) Charity Shield. Lost by 1 goal in the 2007 CL Final. Not exactly poor returns. Wouldn't have minded picking up a piece of silverware in between, especially the FA cup last year. Trophey's take time, and I think Benitez is what's best for Liverpool.