Essential The Official Football (Soccer) Thread - The Scriptures Prophesied the Messiah Plays 3-4-3
Wijnaldum was in Saudi for 2 years and was called up
Have to imagine there's more depth at winger than central midfield for Holland.
Of all the songs in the world, the creator of this video decided this one was the best fit… wow. Crazy
MVike28
right around the ACC
I respect it. Can’t expect to be called up for your national team when the majority of your weekly competition are part time Imams. Unless you’re that good or a legacy player for your country
Let’s not act like tournament football isn’t 7-8 games max at one go.
Kante and Laporte were some of the best players at the last Euros. Just because you go to Saudi today doesn’t mean everything you’ve learned as a footballer prior is a wash…
He would fit Pool like a glove. He needs to be in a team that just has the striker as the final tip of the spear. Doesn’t really need to be involved in play, but can run channels and get on the end of final balls.
That release clause, however, is still too high imo. No need for one or these contract extensions..
EA
A Pound & A Prayer
Kante and Laporte have a track record of success at the highest level though. Bergwijn hasn’t had the necessary career to guarantee a place in the national squad without playing at the highest level. He’s arguably the fourth LW option anyway with Gapko, Malen (and Simons, if necessary) ahead of him.
Givethanks
Superstar
I know he's old now but the way Kroos and Modric carried him was wild. The things he used to get away with in La Liga had me saying all sorts of cuss words at the TV
That’s fine if Steven isn’t good enough, sure. I’m more so going at the notion that once a player goes to Saudi they are washed.
Let’s say, for argument sake,Yamime Lamal went to Saudi in the summer of 2025. Does that mean if he were to get called up to the Spanish NT for the 2026 WC that “he’s no longer good enough?” It’s almost as if the moment you sign for Saudi you forget how to trap a ball or play a through pass.
The whole point of the NT manager is to find players that are good enough for the system. Regardless of what league they play in. Generally, yes, the best players will play in the best leagues, but let’s not act like just because someone is in Saudi they can’t do a job, especially in tournament football that is so short.
EA
A Pound & A Prayer
If Yamal went to Saudi next year, he would have totally dominate the league to warrant starting for Spain because the level of competition and coaching in that league is way below the level of the top European leagues.
If he went over there and was just doing ok, there’s no way he should be picked ahead of the likes of Asensio, Llorente, etc who are playing in systems closer to the Spanish NT against the best players in the world every week.
This is what I’m getting at. Y’all are looking at level of coaching and competition. I’m looking at ability of the player.
If Yamal went to Saudi, but came back banging goals and making assists in Nation League games then why not include him.
If the player can play ball, they can play ball. Tournament football isn’t club ball. It’s only 8 games to win a WC, Euros etc
We act like once a player leaves Europe they forget how to play ball or they don’t know how to adapt.
I’m not saying have a full team of Saudi players, but 1 or two isn’t gonna break a team (as seen in the Euros with France and Spain). I mean Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in the last WC…