banega is such a dreamy player. i remember him having some amazing games against pep's peak barca, when the rest of spain were getting whipped. so good in tight spaces, and so clever

He made Modric look like Flamini today. If he wasn't such an idiot he could have been a huge player.

There's still time. He's only 27. Could go for a big move next summer if he keeps this up.

Stranger things have happened, yes. But compared to the promise he had when Valencia bought him as a 20 year old for 20m you can't help but be disappointed.

Sevilla was a joy to watch. Konoplyanka seems to have added end product to his electric pace when on the ball, and that will spell trouble for many teams. You have to wonder what a defensive, negative manager like Benitez was thinking; he left poor Danilo stranded, trying desperately to contain both Tremoulinas and Konoplyanka by himself mostly.
Oh, and how would have thought Nzonzi could actually play football after all those years at Stoke?

I'm actually not surprised, Nzonzi always looked like he was limited in his game by the cavemen tactics at Stoke. Konoplyanka always had end product by the way, he had to adapt to Spain which is why Emery used him mostly as a sub so far but since he forced himself into the starting XI he showed his worth.

Yarmolenko is another Ukrainian winger who I rate very highly, Bale light basically. If the current development of players from the Ukraine is anything to go by he'll be better than the Welsh ape in no time.

Funny how Ronaldo was duff following that interview. Twat

Gazza M wrote:

banega is such a dreamy player. i remember him having some amazing games against pep's peak barca, when the rest of spain were getting whipped. so good in tight spaces, and so clever

You know the player is a bit special when they stand up to Barca's midfield. Not many go to Camp Nou and shine, only other CM that comes to mind is Verratti. Would love to see a player of that ilk play for us.

jones wrote:

Sevilla were taking the piss at the end passing around Real's players like Guardiola's team few years back when Mourinho got smashed 5-0.

Konoplyanka on a free is definitely transfer of the season for me, he destroyed Real with every move for the whole 90 minutes. Easily MOTM, poor Danilo had his career ended today. Love his incredible composure when dribbling, reminds me a bit of Nasri during his best spell with us in how he beats players while alternately accelerating and decelerating. I would lay into Wenger for not getting him but I'm not sure he would have wanted to come here anyways:

The 25-year-old was wanted by Liverpool, Tottenham and Stoke but opted instead to move to the Europa League holders when his contract with Dnipro expired at the end of last season.

“If I was two-and-a-half metres tall and didn’t know how to control a ball then I may have gone to England, but here [in Spain], the football’s more technical. It’s the best,” he said.

😆

Those clubs to be fair are nothing clubs compared to us, reckon he would have jumped at the chance to sign for us.

Wishlisted Konoplyanka for like 3 seasons now, but to be fair we can't fit him on the left as it's Alexis favoured position. He is very similar to Alexis as he likes to cut in, but he is also abit to deliver some good crosses with his weaker foot unlike Alexis who is completely one footed. And I think he is better than Yarmolenko in many ways.

Sevilla on their day is a match for anyone, even Barca and Madrid and that's all down to Emery. Most of their players are from mid-table clubs elsewhere but he has managed to make them look good in his system. They are a bit careless defensively this season though. (should have won City twice)

People thinking teams 5-15 in La Liga are weaker than the corresponding teams in England are fooling themselves. English clubs have more money than sense it seems to me. With the money in English football there is a real opportunity to actually do something to make English teams more competitive in Europe, but very little seems to be done.

I can't understand why it took Konoplyanka so long to move to a top league. Quality player. He's torn England a new one on a couple of occasions. Not so fussed about Yarmolenko though, he's nowt special.

12 days later

Impressive goal from Suarez, ripped them open

They can't defend for toffee but Barca are at least two levels above Real Madrid.

Slick goal by suarez

Some very accommodating defending by both teams so far

Suarez is outstanding

mascherano's ass is torn already, now he's clutching his balls too. His whole perineum must be a war zone.

He's got to be the softest " hardman" ever....though to be fair he did get it in the nads there