Barca4Life

Barca4Life's Comments

Posted Friday August 29, 2008, About: Drogba saves Robinho transfer?
Pretty much concur with what's already been said. I don't see any validity in this story - in regards to Drogba being part of the deal for two reasons.

A.) As has already been stated that would leave Anelka as Chelsea's only "true" striker and if I were a Chelsea fan I would have to swallow hard at such a thought and....

B.) I can understand some other team including a player in a deal so as to reduce the transfer price, but certainly not in Chelsea's case. Chelsea will never be short of funds as long as Abramovich is in charge. Including Drogba in the deal, is not only unnecessary, but it would create a void upfront in the process. As we all know Robinho's a winger not a striker. And why would Abramovich splash so much money on Robinho only to have to spend again to replace Drogba's spot on the club? Just doesn't make sense.
Posted Friday August 29, 2008, About: Reports: Bayern eyeing Berbatov
Back to the Bundesliga to tear it up. This sounds like Spurs telling ManUtd, "win the premiership with the team you already have". Sound like fighting words
Big Chaco | 08/29/08, 07:31 AM
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More like if you're going to screw with us we're going to screw with you and send you back where you came from, (figuratively speaking).

I think it's 'Manchester United or bust!' for Berba' and in such a case Tottenham SHOULD hold out for as much money as they can get from United...after all handing him over to United would be tantamount to handing over another league title to them in the process - although I'm sure Chelsea may have something to say about that.
Posted Friday August 29, 2008, About: 'Big' Spanish club into Onyewu chase
I find it hard to believe that a 'big' club would be interested in Gooch based solely on one performance. Even though 'some' big clubs generally have money to burn they rarely buy just out of impulse.

Of the options in front of him I think Gooch would be best served playing for a mid-table EPL team as opposed to playing in Spain or even France for that matter. For one he wouldn't have to worry about the language adjustment and the EPL is generally viewed as the most physical of the top leagues out there which I feel suits Gooch's profile best.

Playing in the La Liga would not only mean a language adjustment but I just don't see how in the world he could keep up with all those jackrabbits out there. Sure, IF he can get a body on them he'll knock them into the stands, but more times than not they'll just run right around him as if he was stuck in cement.

Although a part of me says that if Gooch is presented with such a possibility he should go for it, the last thing I want to see is him failing, and failing miserably in Spain and giving more 'proof' to Europeans that Americans aren't good enough to perform in the top leagues of the world. And I don't want to hear any nonsense about if Jozy can do it why not Gooch? First of all Jozy hasn't proven anything yet at Villareal and comparing him to Gooch is like comparing apples to oranges.
Posted Thursday August 28, 2008, About: Barca offers Xavi lifetime deal
Don't think I could add anymore to what's already been said. Puyol and Xavi ARE Barcelona football! And hopefully with Xavi's future secure (not that it ever was in doubt) and with Pep's plans of playing higher up in the pitch I fully expect Xavi to continue riding the wave of his Euro performance right into La Liga and Champions League play. Refreshing to see loyalty shown by both parties involved.
Posted Wednesday August 27, 2008, About: Mourinho: I never wanted Sheva
How is this "news"? We already knew this fact as a foregone conclusion. I don't know if there's a greater slap in the face for a manager to have to take on a player(s) that he would rather have for the sake of the owners wishes. I can only assume this is what Mark Hughes must have felt as Mr.Shinawatra was pulling out all the stops in an attempt to acquire Ronaldinho. You would at least hope that Abramovich learned his "lesson" but I doubt it.
Posted Friday August 22, 2008, About: Robinho pushing Malouda out?
Barring the addition of a striker, there's just no way Real can afford to allow Robinho to leave. RVN isn't getting any younger and lingering injuries is always a concern. Raul is also getting up there and Higuain isn't ready to step in to such big shoes, at least not yet, imo. You can bet Robben's going to spend more time on the training table than on the pitch as well. So when you take everything into perspective I don't believe Real can afford to part with Robinho, even if he starts throwing tantrums. Of course the best case scenario for Real would be to hold on to Robinho for one more season and get Ronaldo next season. But as we've seen in this summer's soap opera even that isn't necessarily guaranteed.
Posted Thursday August 21, 2008, About: Chelsea switching interest to Kaka
This is absurd. Is Scolari going to stick with a 4-5-1 formation for the rest of the season?! Don't Chelsea arguably have one of the most talented if not recognized midfields in the world with Essien, Ballack, Lampard & Deco? So why the need to add Kaka? You would think with Anelka as the only "true" striker available on the club during Drogba's absence that Chelsea would look to add another striker or capable winger. Even as outlandish as Real Madrid's asking price for Robinho might be it at least makes more sense than going after Kaka. Chelsea's, or should I say Abramovich's sole motivation for getting Kaka would be to add the former World Footballer of The Year as the "headliner" in his already vast stable of stars, and not to necessarily make the team better. I guess Abramovich grown weary of the club's reputation of winning "ugly" and has decided to forgo substance for style while tossing common sense out the window.
Posted Thursday August 21, 2008, About: Ronaldinho moving to Barcelona
Simply shocking news!....yeah right! You can take the player out of the nightlife but you can't take the nightlife out of the player. 'Dinho simply doesn't know any other way to live. He's all about celebrating life to the fullest, and in excess - even when it's to the detriment of his career. He can't even bring himself to leave a place where he was constantly jeered and heckled in recent times and suffered the worst season of his life (in his own words). That just shows you how addicted Ronnie is to the nightlife. He can't bring himself to leave a place where he is no longer "wanted".

I'm no doctor but I believe that Ronnie has a very serious addiction to the nightlife/nightclub scene. And it will only get worse once his playing days are over. Sure, lot's of athletes like to party and love the limelight, but in Ronnie's case it's excessive to say the least. He could have gone down, (and still might) as one of the greatest footballers of all time. But in the end the nightlife was too addicting to him and something he couldn't let go, and meant more to him than the legacy he left in football. He is nontheless great but like Ali he could have been THE greatest!
Posted Thursday August 21, 2008, About: Bogat's injury worries Bucks
Not to imply that Bogut shouldn't have suited up for his native country in the Olympics, but the fact is that Bogut is much more passionate and inspired at the thought of playing for Australia than he is about suiting up for the Bucks. Considering the Bucks recent success (or lack thereof) you can hardly blame the man. The bottom line is that Bogut would have to be in a wheelchair in order not to suit for the Australian National Team. It is a great source of pride for him and like most non-American players he relishes playing in these type of international competitions.

The Olympic tournament, and the FIBA World Championships mean more to international players. If you asked Manu which means most to him, winning an NBA Championship or an Olympic Gold Medal he would tell you winning the Olympic medal for Argentina was his greatest basketball accomplishment. You can bet that players like Gasol, Nowitski, Bogut, etc. would say the same thing. So to come full circle, in Bogut's case, (while a headscratcher to most Americans) it comes as no surprise to the rest of the world. Bogut simply wasn't going to miss this opportunity for the world - even if it meant being part of a beatdown. The "pride" of playing for country, no matter if the outcome seems certain, is sometimes hard to grasp and often overlooked.
Posted Thursday August 21, 2008, About: Yost defends slumping Sheets
All I can say is some team (i.e. Yankees, Mets, Phillies, etc) is going to make a similar blunder to the one the Yankees made with Pavano and wind up with egg all over their face. Even if you choose to overlook Sheets' injured track record, (hmm, no DL so far this season, wonder why?...Oh, I forgot it's a contract year. Now I get it!)...when his curveball (which at times can be the filthiest around) isn't working he is open to getting pounded by relying mostly, (exclusively) on his fastball. At least he works fast which keeps his middle infielders on their toes, but the way they've been butchering plays lately it hardly matters. I guess Hardy and Weeks have suddenly and misterously forgotten how to turn a routine double play, but that's another story altogether.
Posted Monday August 18, 2008, About: Redd surprised he's still a Buck
Another in a line of disastrous contracts handed out by former GM Larry Harris to go along with Dan Gadzuric, Bobby Simmons and Mo Williams. In truth Harris had no other option but to resign Redd after the implosion of the Allen trade to Seattle. Had Redd been allowed to leave (Cleveland presumably) the Bucks would have lost BOTH Allen and Redd and only had Desmond Mason left to show for it. At least Harris was able to gather his bearings and sign Magliore in an attempt to right the ship....yeah right!

Hammond has to come in and clean up the mess purging the roster. If he can sucker a team into taking on Gadzuric's contract he should be in line for Executive of The Year in my book. Three of our worst contracts off the book in one summer. Hard to do better than that.
Posted Wednesday August 13, 2008, About: Three teams talking to Henry
Like it or not Henry's going to get another chance in the NFL. Wether it's "fair" or "right" really doesn't matter, that's just the reality of it! You can't attempt to mirror professional sports leagues with the reality of real, everyday, working "jobs". The bottom line is that "some" team is going to view Henry's talent and greater than any of his indiscretions off the field. He'll be forced to sign a "contract" similar to the one Adam Jones did with Dallas, with the team able to cut him at so little as a jaywalking violation.

And not to defend Henry but consider that he i far from the worst of the worst, when you consider that Leonard Little committed involuntary manslaughter in a DUI, only to get caught again with another DUI after his conviction had been expunged. Some people will never learn.
Posted Wednesday August 13, 2008, About: Three-team trade in works?
As someone who lives in Milwaukee (please spare the jokes), and has actually seen Mo Williams play, I can attest that he is a horrible defensive player. As we all know he's really a "2" guard in a point guard's body. He would make an ideal sixth man, pairing him with a "true" poing guard freeing him up to shoot. A Pargo/Williams pairing off the bench doesn't sound too bad. Pargo can distribute and Williams can jack up as many as he likes.

The fact is that Williams isn't going to carry ANY team to the NBA Finals. If a broke down Jason Kidd couldn't do it with the Mavs what makes you think Williams could do it for Cleveland? because he's younger? Sure, but he's not more talented than Kidd either!

Williams wouldn't be such a bad fit for Cleveland, IF he was paired alongside a "true" point guard. There's no doubt Williams can score, but he can't direct an offense, that much I'm certain of.
Posted Wednesday August 13, 2008, About: Chelsea to sign Robinho?
Totally ridiculous price for Robinho. I thought Valencia's asking price for Villa was extreme but this takes the cake. Beyond the fact that Robinho's not THAT good, the more pressing fact is that he's not that durable either! If he couldn't stand up to the rigors of playing in La Liga how on earth is he going to fare any better in a much more demanding and physical league like the EPL?

Robinho's game is about flare and style, which to some extent could be said of Ronaldo. The BIG difference being that Ronaldo is bigger and physically stronger than Robinho and can withstand the punishment and hard tackles. Robinho takes one good challenge and he falls to the ground as if he's auditioning for a role in a Brazilian telenovela.

If Chelsea go through with this move it will make the Schevchenko signing look like a minor blip on the radar screen. Abramovich would be better served "wasting" the money developing a stronger youth academy at home, building a state of the art training facility/academy in South America and further marketing the team in Asia, China in particular.
Posted Tuesday August 12, 2008, About: Berbatov close to Man U. move
I would have considered Gervinho as a possibility, but being that he's all of 5'10 146lbs soaking wet have a feeling he'd get killed in the EPL. Although Arsenal did show some interest in him previously.

Before I get a beat down on this one, why not sign Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona? He can be had for around 5mil and he's already familiar with the EPL from his time at Bolton and Chelsea. I'm not saying he's capable of replacing Berbatov by himself, but for 5mil and change you can't go wrong. It's much better than him rotting away at Barcelona.

Another name to consider would be Palacio from Boca Juniors. You could then have him play as the left winger/secondary striker to Bent with Arshavin playing behind both of them. Either way I think Arshavin would play best in a 4-3-1-2 much like Guardiola is considering toying with Barcelona this year with Messi. Arshavin as the "1" with Bent and a secondary striker/"winger" upfront.

Personally I think Arshavin would be able to produce a greater impact playing in an attacking midfielder, "playmaker" role than as a winger. If anything he'd get a lot more touches playing in midfield and more touches would equal more magic from him and more opportunities for Bent and Co. upfront. Just my opinion.
Posted Tuesday August 12, 2008, About: Berbatov close to Man U. move
Why Arshavin when you just brought in Modric and Dos Santos? Arshavin's more of a "playmaker" than can also fill in as a secondary striker. I suppose Ramos would have to play him as a winger. As far as Pavlyuchenko goes, there's a huge drop off in talent from Keane and Berbatov to him. Just look at the mess he made during the Euro's, wasting countless scoring opportunities even as Arshavin was delivering them to him on a silver platter. Had he converted even half the chances he would have been the top scorer in the tournament by far.

'Pavy' might prove to be a good investment for a mid table team, but he doesn't exhibit the class needed to perform for a top four or five club. I still say that Santa Cruz would be Tottenham's best option at this point. Villa might work as well, but he's not worth splashing 40mil for. Besides he'd probably prefer to remain in Spain.
Posted Tuesday August 12, 2008, About: Berbatov close to Man U. move
Makes sense. Henry was never really an option to begin with. Makes you wonder what Tottenham may have in store? Santa Cruz would seem like the logical choice to replace Berbatov in my opinion. I don't think Huntelaar is a good option given that he's never played in a top league before and who's to say how his game will translate to the EPL? Too big of a gamble if you ask me.

Certainly with the sale of Keane and possibly Berbatov, Tottenham would have more than enough money to pursue Villa, but his interest may be lukewarm at best.

Aguero's buyout clause is 55mil but I don't see him willing to move to White Hart Lane either. Benzema's not going anywhere either - at least not for another year. And from all accounts Eto'o is staying put at Barcelona. Not many options for the Spurs I'm afraid.
Posted Friday August 08, 2008, About: Kaka's surgery unsuccessful?
Why would Kaka opt to have the surgery performed by Brazil's national team doctor versus his own club's doctor? If Milan knew that he was going in for surgery wouldn't it make sense that they would want their own doctor's performing the surgical procedure? It just doesn't make sense. Milan is the one paying Kaka's salary, and he is their investment. Why on earth would they allow someone outside their own club doctors to perform such a procedure is beyond me?! It would have been quite another matter entirely had AC Milan allowed Brazil's doctor to assist in Kaka's surgery under the supervision of their own surgeon, but quite another to allow a "third" party to operate on their most prized asset alone. At the very least BOTH doctors should have been on the same page and in constant communication BEFORE the procedure took place. Either way Milan is screwed although a part of me feels they screwed themselves by allowing this to happen.
Posted Wednesday August 06, 2008, About: Tottenham linked to triple swoop
I actually ran across this story on Soccernet yesterday and found it to be an article full of sensationalism and proper material for bathroom reading and disposing in the toilet afterwards. Arshavin may in fact be a very real possibility if the deal hasn't already been consumated. But Villa's another animal and another story entirely. I just don't see it happening unless Berbatov was sold first, either to United (highly unlikely now that Ronaldo's probably going to stay) or Barcelona (equally as unlikely as Laporta has "declared" he now wishes Eto'o to remain with the club) and with the possible exception of Chelsea no other club wants him or could afford to satisfy his personal wage demands.

Call it a classic 'domino effect', Eto'o moves, so Berbatov can move to Barcelona, and Villa can end up at Tottenham. Not so simple now is it?
Posted Tuesday August 05, 2008, About: Red Bulls chasing Henry?
Benzema*
Posted Tuesday August 05, 2008, About: Red Bulls chasing Henry?
I think a lot is going to depend on how well he performs this season, and if he's allowed to play in his preferred central striker position. He really didn't have THAT bad a year this past season when you consider he wasn't fully 100% when he joined the club and was asked to play on the wing for much of the season.

He's still under contract for the next two years but with the uncertainty surrounding if Eto'o remains at the club, and if the club is successfull in acquiring Benezema next season could all factor into how long Henry remains at the club beyond this upcoming season.
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