Essential The Official Football (Soccer) Thread - RIP Diogo Jota

TobiOT

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At least I'm able to share this record with Sir Alex, eh?
Vdm4jto.png
 

Kunty McPhuck

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This is what I don’t get about French football, there seems to be so much variation across the clubs in terms of who’s challenging at the top end of the table.

PSG is really the only constant at the top. Monaco, Lille, OM, Lyon all flip flop. Bordeaux and Montepellier were champs at one point, now they’re midtable…

I need an explanation.

Because that's the history of French football. It's always had a cycle of one dominant team for a period and then teams will nick a title here and there inbetween the ascension of the next dominant team. Unfortunately with PSG that cycle will end.

60-70's St Etienne. Bordeaux had a run in the early to mid 80's not as strong as others eras. OM late 80's early 90's. Lyon in the 00's and now PSG in 10's.

All of those clubs you mentioned at various stages have had financial issues. Not sure what the French tax laws is at the moment but it isn't really appealing for a foreign investors unless youre super rich.

Lyon nearly went broke. They had to sell Martial to Monaco because they couldn't get rid of Gomis after he flopped along with other. But haven't truly competed in 15 years/whenever they won their last title.

OM haven't been a proper stable club since the Tapia days. The environment is toxic when things don't go well. Remember when Evra fought/kicked the fan. Only at OM.

Monaco is just another a roulette wheel in Monte Carlo.

But post Bosman French football has been the best at developing and scouting players than anywhere else.
 

SCORCH

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Seven games into an injury-hampered season, De Bruyne is yet to record a league assist. His passing statistics and defensive numbers are all sharply down on previous campaigns. Moreover, the eyes tell a similar story. There have been some perplexingly mortal moments: misplaced passes, heavy touches, a loss of sharpness. Above all you get the impression of a player currently striving and failing to impose himself on games, to restore his confidence, to meet the improbably high standards that he himself has set for years.

Has De Bruyne, the jewel in Manchester City’s crown, begun to lose his shine? | Jonathan Liew

Probably reading way too much into average form (by his high standards) over 7-8 games. Good for Man City that B. Silva has stepped up, been their best player by big distance.
 

SCORCH

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Surprised Rashford ain't starting. Tiredness? Their gonna miss his runs in behind. Greenwood doesn't seem like the type to keep making those runs unless I'm wrong. :patrice:
 

TobiOT

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Surprised Rashford ain't starting. Tiredness? Their gonna miss his runs in behind. Greenwood doesn't seem like the type to keep making those runs unless I'm wrong. :patrice:
Marital with his hold-up play would be ideal for Ronaldo. But then again who cares what I think, I ain't no manager. :skip:
 

Kunty McPhuck

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Seven games into an injury-hampered season, De Bruyne is yet to record a league assist. His passing statistics and defensive numbers are all sharply down on previous campaigns. Moreover, the eyes tell a similar story. There have been some perplexingly mortal moments: misplaced passes, heavy touches, a loss of sharpness. Above all you get the impression of a player currently striving and failing to impose himself on games, to restore his confidence, to meet the improbably high standards that he himself has set for years.

Has De Bruyne, the jewel in Manchester City’s crown, begun to lose his shine? | Jonathan Liew

Probably reading way too much into average form (by his high standards) over 7-8 games. Good for Man City that B. Silva has stepped up, been their best player by big distance.

KDB is washed in the PL. Probably say he's more suited to play as the false 9 vs the 8 now. And the talk of are Citeh actually better without him been around for a while a good while. Obviously he has immense quality with his right foot and will show that from time to time. But you can see his body gradually breaking down. Everytime he goes to ground it's :lupe: is he injured. Doesn't help when he tries to find form he picks up knocks here and there. Also iirc in the article it says he played about 70+ games over the last year since Project Restart till the start of this season. Injury prone + 30 + playing in the PL not a good look tbh. Citeh were wrong to renew his contract but I understand why they did it.

After saying he is washed he'll score a goal and hattrick of assists today.
 

Kunty McPhuck

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So City didn't sign Ronaldo because they refused to pay a transfer fee.


Idk about that. There's rumours that C dot was offered to United earlier on in the summer but they declined at the time. I still think C dot and Mendes used Citeh knowing the history and knowing Fergie wouldn't allow it to happen.
 
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