the 370Z.com OFFICIAL football (soccer) thread

[Jon@AAMComp]

Well there was a chance we could slip past United to retain the title, but we were outplayed and outclassed by the better team yesterday, simple as that. Tough one to take, but such is the game of football. United will be champions again. Considering the fact that in December we were looking at falling out of automatic champions league contention, I'm ok with finishing 2nd in the league.


And congrats to Milan batman, but I'm more of a Roma man myself.

[Red370]

Originally Posted by Jon@AAMComp

Well there was a chance we could slip past United to retain the title, but we were outplayed and outclassed by the better team yesterday, simple as that. Tough one to take, but such is the game of football. United will be champions again. Considering the fact that in December we were looking at falling out of automatic champions league contention, I'm ok with finishing 2nd in the league.


And congrats to Milan batman, but I'm more of a Roma man myself.

whats all this mass exodus talk I hear around the Chelsea camp? could it be true? Essien to Milan?

[Jon@AAMComp]

Originally Posted by Red370

whats all this mass exodus talk I hear around the Chelsea camp? could it be true? Essien to Milan?

Not sure about a complete fire sale or exodus at Chelsea, but there are players that need to go. Bosingwa, Anelka, Kalou, should all be released in my opinion. I don't think we need to blow up the entire squad, but these players should be sent on their way. Essien and Lamps haven't looked the same since coming back from injury, and JT is starting to show his age. I don't think Essien will end up at Milan, given the quality of Seedorf, Pirlo and Abrosini, I don't see where he'd fit. He may end up back in France though.

I don't know if it comes from the manager or if we need to rid ourselves of dead weight on the team, but there does need to be a change. I would like to see us bring back Sturridge from loan, and add McEacharan to the starting 11. Sturridge wants to be an out and out striker, but I think he can be molded into a winger, like a Nani or Valencia. He has the pace and the ability to put balls in the box, and cut inside and put shots on target. I would also like to see us move back into a diamond shape in midfield, with a quality holding midfielder(aka Makalele) available to break down attacks, but also link the defense to the offense. A deep lying playmaker like Schweinsteiger or Pirlo. Another solid winger would help tremendously as another attacking threat, to replace Kalou. Biabiny, now of Sampdoria or Coutinho of Inter would fit this role perfectly, IF either of those clubs would let them go. Giving Josh McEacharan starting experience has got to happen sooner than later, so why not introduce him to play alongside Lampard?

Defensively, we have been shaky, but I think the players on our back line are still pretty good. I understand Luiz had a rough day yesterday, everyone has those moments. He's still young, I and I have faith in him. Ivanovic is solid, but his very slow, and found it hard to mark Rooney/Hernandez all day yesterday, which got him into trouble with Howard Webb. He probably should have seen red yesterday. A long term replacement right back may not be a bad idea; Ignazio Abate of Milan would be a dream signing for us, although I don't think Milan would let him go. Lastly, we need a long term replacement for JT. I love the man for his heart and his tenacity, but his body has been letting him down. He clearly wasn't at his best yesterday. Bolton need some cash, we could use a one Gary Cahill to be a replacement for JT should he decide to hang up the boots within the next few seasons.

[Jon@AAMComp]

Question for your Arsenal guys, where would Nasri go should he leave? He's already at one of the top clubs in the world, you can't go much higher than Arsenal. He could follow his compatriot Ribery to Bayern, but I can't see that move happening. They don't really need him at Barcelona, and Real Madrid are already up to their noses in midfielders, unless they unload Kaka. I can see him in an Inter shirt, as they'll be looking to reload and reclaim the Serie A title next season. I can see him playing alongside Sneijder. Nasri was more of a winger during his time at Marseille right? He could easily slide into a wide position, where he would replace Pandev. Pandev was a free transfer from Lazio, so I don't see Inter losing anything by doing this, and at €15 million, he'd be a great signing. Sneijder prefers playing at the top of a diamond attacking formation anyway. It would resemble:

------Sneijder------
Eto'o---Milito?---Nasri