The Football(Soccer) Thread

[darkus-s6]

Well, Liverpool really knows how to play in these stages of the tournament, and I wouldn't be surprise if they reach the final again, however it would be a bit cool and in a way ironic to see Chelsea winning now that Mourinho is no longer coach.
Barca's chances on focusing in the Champions and renouncing to reach in pts with Madrid in la Liga could be an advantage, and now that Ronaldinho is signing for Milan it could be his chance to shine like he used to one last time with Barcelona.

[Dante Obscuri]

nah.. liverpool has won all their semi-finals against chelsea

Yeah, I just saw that today on ESPN. I think I confused Chelsea's matches with Barcelona.

Well, Liverpool really knows how to play in these stages of the tournament

I wonder if that's how it is, because lately, by this stages of the Champions, Liverpool has no longer being competing for the Premier's. Whereas, Chelsea, or other teams they've played against, still had chances to win their local tournaments.

Barca's chances on focusing in the Champions and renouncing to reach in pts with Madrid in la Liga could be an advantage, and now that Ronaldinho is signing for Milan it could be his chance to shine like he used to one last time with Barcelona.

I agree, and we've got to remember Manchester is also aiming for the Premier's.

[BoltBlader]

Wow.. did anyone hear about Arsene Wenger declining a bid for David Villa?
I know AW doesn't want to spend big by signing massive stars, but David Villa is a proven goal machine that Arsenal should have more then enough finance to make a bid for. He's on a completely different class to all other strikers in their current squad, what's even more shocking about this decision was that papers have quoted him as desiring a move to Arsenal if he was to move to england.

[Dante Obscuri]

Signing up big players doesn't mean they'll work on your team. If you want an example, you can always take a look at Real Madrid (although, they've been doing quite well, lately).

[alz]

Arsenal are doing alright with the players they have, even with the loss of henry. A good example of players signings that don't perform as well when they are at another club is schevcheko, he was really good for ac milan but when he transferred to chelsea he hasn't been as good....

Can't wait for the semi-final ^^

[BoltBlader]

^^^^

yes i know what you mean... but if you fit the system of how David Villa plays into how Arsenal plays.. they fit perfectly hand in hand. Real Madrid and Chelsea's big spending can be seen as their downfall because of the different big personalities that clash, and plus most of their players they buy is based on media attention, which i find the likes of Lampard being very overrated.

I believe David Villa can be the next Torres of england, however not as fast, but from following him, he seems to be more potent in front of goal. Look at Arsenal's team how many big name players do they have that are probably 20mil+?
Fabregas?
That's all i reckon there is, Adebayor i reckon would be worth around 15mil, and some of the easy shots that he has missed this season have been both woeful and costly at the same time. David Villa will IMO bring that extra class to their team........... but saying that i would rather him sign for liverpool

[Dante Obscuri]

It is not that simple, if the coach says he doesn't want him, he may have his reasons. Take Rijkaard for example; it is pretty much blatant Torres longs to play in Barcelona, and yet, Rijkaard hasn't requested to have him on the team.

[BoltBlader]

I can't see how that would work out... Did Torres say he wanted to play for Barcelona? I cant see Torres playing for another team in Spain other then Athletico Madrid his home and boyhood team.

Plus like i said, the likes of clubs with big money usually only sign stars who are big in the media which often sees them as being quite overrated. Rijkaard already had the likes of Messi Eto'o Ronaldhino Saviola, top class forwards, why would he want Torres who is a very much similar type of player to Eto'o and has only scored 15 goals in the LA LIGA in the 06-07 campaign?

That's why i think he chose Henry, as he's been idolised by the media.

[Dante Obscuri]

I can't see how that would work out... Did Torres say he wanted to play for Barcelona? I cant see Torres playing for another team in Spain other then Athletico Madrid his home and boyhood team.

He expressed once he'd like to play for Barcelona, aside from his personal feelings toward Athletico Madrid.

That's why i think he chose Henry, as he's been idolised by the media.

It's not as if Barcelona needed Henry. Ronaldinho was more than enough for them, and Messi was gaining a lot of popularity. Rijkaard chose Henry because he thought he'd fit in his scheme - although I think he made a mistake.

[darkus-s6]

^ I thought the decision of hiring Henry was an electoral promise from Laporta to Barca's club members.
I don't think Barcelona needs to have a player like Torres right now, they need another cerebral midfielder or a new coach.