There's always Barzagli. You should watch more Serie A, Ricks.

He's the one that stood out for me actually. Enjoyed watching him. Even he's not a patch on the Italian defenders before him though.

Ricky1985 wrote:

I miss the 30-something, wise old head, that could read the game like a book and make all the players around him play better. There's just no one these days.

Game is too physical/athletic for that now.

Shite isn't it. You're gonna get guys like paulinho, Ron Vlaar or Bruno Martins Indi gonna win the World Cup

Is basically a bunch of athletes running about. Those who run hardest and longest tend to prosper

I agree with Dules on Messi; he looks to have lost half a step since coming back from his injuries the last 18 months.

Is still magical though, just picks his moments. I don't know if that is because he is pacing himself through the game or is playing with a sense of entitlement.

Ricky1985 wrote:

He's constantly talked up as one of the best; by fans and pundits. Don't think he's one of the best by any stretch, and I think even the best centrebacks around at the moment are light years behind the best centrebacks of the last decade or so. I miss the 30-something, wise old head, that could read the game like a book and make all the players around him play better. There's just no one these days.

Rohit wrote:

Is still magical though, just picks his moments. I don't know if that is because he is pacing himself through the game or is playing with a sense of entitlement.

This seems to happen mostly when he plays for the national team though, and I think part of the issue is that Argentina are so simple. Di Maria will run up and down the flank for 90 minutes and that's pretty much as advanced as their combination play will get. There's no real connection between the midfield and the attack unless Messi takes it upon himself to drop deep and perform that role, but then he won't be up front where he should be of course.

They are a far cry from the side that scored this goal:

Captain wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:

He's constantly talked up as one of the best; by fans and pundits. Don't think he's one of the best by any stretch, and I think even the best centrebacks around at the moment are light years behind the best centrebacks of the last decade or so. I miss the 30-something, wise old head, that could read the game like a book and make all the players around him play better. There's just no one these days.

Per is 29

Per is one of the few, he's a proper defender that understands his position. I think it's his lack of mobility that makes me think I'm being a little biased when I think of him as one of the very best though.

Klaus wrote:

This seems to happen mostly when he plays for the national team though, and I think part of the issue is that Argentina are so simple. Di Maria will run up and down the flank for 90 minutes and that's pretty much as advanced as their combination play will get. There's no real connection between the midfield and the attack unless Messi takes it upon himself to drop deep and perform that role, but then he won't be up front where he should be of course.

They are a far cry from the side that scored this goal:

That goal is a thing of stunning beauty, loved it then, love it now.

Argentina can certainly pass it better, they are all above average footballers. They just don't have that combination play though. Too many individuals trying to do too much. They will be a much better team if they get some team effort into their attack as they will isolate individual players from the opposition against Messi much more.

8 days later

Sami Khedira really isn't a very good footballer.

That claim is so controversial that you could even say it's untrue.

Khedira's the wrong type of midfielder to sign. Ramsey's our best player - we should be getting a partner who lets him do his thang as best as possible.

Ramsey shouldn't be our best player though. So we shouldn't build our side around him.

The right kind of player is the best footballer. Great players allow for greater tactical flexibility, and they don't create situations where you'd say "if only the ball had gone to so-and-so instead of this guy". Schneiderlin, from what I've seen, is decent at what he does, but is a far inferior player to Khedira at this moment in time. Khedira would be a much better signing in every possible way.

Klaus wrote:
Rohit wrote:

Is still magical though, just picks his moments. I don't know if that is because he is pacing himself through the game or is playing with a sense of entitlement.

This seems to happen mostly when he plays for the national team though, and I think part of the issue is that Argentina are so simple. Di Maria will run up and down the flank for 90 minutes and that's pretty much as advanced as their combination play will get. There's no real connection between the midfield and the attack unless Messi takes it upon himself to drop deep and perform that role, but then he won't be up front where he should be of course.

They are a far cry from the side that scored this goal:

What a goal! Seriously, Argentina need to get back to this level! Woof!

Overrated means nothing when used in relation to anything football related.

Stoke was good for the league.

See, that's just wrong.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Messi looks to be on the wane physically

and mentally. i think he's drained from the effort needed to maintain such absurdly high levels for so long. he might be done - or maybe he just needs a change of scenery to revitalise him.

Ronaldo is overrated and is closer to the likes of Ibrahimovic and iniesta than he is to Messi.

innervisionscm wrote:

Ronaldo is overrated and is closer to the likes of Ibrahimovic and iniesta than he is to Messi.

Nah. At times he's been even better than Messi. He was last year for example.

kamikaze wrote:
@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Messi looks to be on the wane physically

and mentally. i think he's drained from the effort needed to maintain such absurdly high levels for so long. he might be done - or maybe he just needs a change of scenery to revitalise him.

A move to Arsenal would be good for him.

We can win the league with Giroud as our starting striker.

Gurgen wrote:
kamikaze wrote:

and mentally. i think he's drained from the effort needed to maintain such absurdly high levels for so long. he might be done - or maybe he just needs a change of scenery to revitalise him.

A move to Arsenal would be good for him.

Underwhelming but could do a job.

Cannon wrote:
Klaus wrote:

This seems to happen mostly when he plays for the national team though, and I think part of the issue is that Argentina are so simple. Di Maria will run up and down the flank for 90 minutes and that's pretty much as advanced as their combination play will get. There's no real connection between the midfield and the attack unless Messi takes it upon himself to drop deep and perform that role, but then he won't be up front where he should be of course.

They are a far cry from the side that scored this goal:

What a goal! Seriously, Argentina need to get back to this level! Woof!

Insane. They should rehire Pekerman again. I think Sabella said he was leaving.

I don't hate Messi and I don't think he's a Barcacunt, he's a nice guy a great player and doesn't have to act like an idiot with stupid hair and tattoo's.

How is having a portrait of your mother tattooed on your back not stupid? I think that is the creepiest tattoo I have ever heard of! The hands of his son on his calf look ridiculous as well IMO.

Tony Montana wrote:
innervisionscm wrote:

Ronaldo is overrated and is closer to the likes of Ibrahimovic and iniesta than he is to Messi.

Nah. At times he's been even better than Messi. He was last year for example.

It's useless even comparing them. Messi is one of the best footballers of all time. Ronaldo is just one of the best goalscorers.

Mertesacker has been a major player for us, but needs to be replaced like Arteta.

Mertesacker certainly doesn't need to be replaced. He is our most important defender as things stand IMO.

Just come off his best season too. He should be captain this season.

Yeah, I am opposed to that actually. I can well see a scenario where Mertesacker will be one of the players in the first XI we want to upgrade in a year or two, and for that reason I think giving him the armband now is unwise; we may end up with a situation just like the one we are currently in with Vermaelen, and that is far from ideal IMO.

The perfect solution for me would be to keep Vermaelen another year and continue with the current situation, and then give the armband to Ramsey. We really should aim to get a long term solution to this, and Ramsey looks the best candidate to me. He is not very vocal, but he leads through example. We still will need vocal leaders like Arteta and Mertesacker though.

just give the armband to vidal when we sign him 😉

I remember a couple of years ago here when everyone wanted Jack as captain I said Rambo was more of a leader and a better choice. I was shot down cos Rambo was unfashionable then.

Pretty sure I said Jack for captain on other occasions though. Still it's a joke Vermaelen remains club captain.

It is far from ideal, I agree, but I would prefer if it stayed the way it is for another year. Firstly, I think Vermaelen is a quality third choice and, secondly, I think it is a year too soon for Rambo. Arteta and Per would be great choices, but they are a bit too old for my liking.

Ramsey is only a slightly better choice than Wilshere. And that is mainly because he's actually nailed down a starting spot.

I have hopes for Chamberlain but right he's not mature at all. He's always looking at others for help on the pitch and you can see that not being quite sure of where he stands as a player is unsettling him a bit. I think once he develops a bit more he might be a good choice.