The Republic of Sport

Aymeric

Aymeric's Comments

Posted Sunday February 15, 2009, About: Is Manny his generation's best player?

I don't buy it. He's not a guy who rests on his laurels after signing a huge contract. He didn't with the Red Sox...

Posted Sunday February 15, 2009, About: Is Manny his generation's best player?

I still do not get it about Manny...
He's a great player. His generation's best ? I wouldn't go there even though I'm a huge fan of his...
But please get over the fact that he quit on the Red Sox. The Red Sox quit on Manny way before he did quit actually on them. We will never know the exact story. But given the Red Sox recent history with their vets (Nomar, Pedro etc.) a messy divorce was meant to happen. It was clear they didn't want to re-sign a 36 year-old guy for 20+ million a year. They just had to send mixed messages to him or his agent and wait for him to have a meltdown to pull the trigger and trade his butt out of town.
I'm sad it ended like this, but you gotta admit that in spite of Manny's issues off the field, he gave his best years to the Red Sox and was a major part in their two world series wins.

Posted Sunday August 24, 2008, About: Did Manny stiff clubhouse tips?

Another stupid story, that has nothing to do with baseball...
It seems the Boston media do really miss Manny after all. They still manage to milk a couple of stories out of him, even though he's with another franchise and in another league. What's their agenda ? That Red Sox nation hates him even more ?
As a Sox fan I do miss him, but it's over now. Manny's in LA and Jason Bay has been terrific, he won't match Manny's production in the post-season, but the Red Sox made a tough decision that will prove to be a good move...

Posted Saturday June 28, 2008, About: Lampard completing Inter move

He just has a year left on his contract with Chelsea.
It won't be so weird to see a Brit in the Serie A. Gazza and Platt played in italy back in the 90's.

Posted Thursday June 26, 2008, About: Marseille interested in Eto'o

This is rubbish.
Marseille doesn't have that kind of money.
I might add that Nasri is actually the only player they've really produced. Mandanda and Ribery were signed from other clubs...

Posted Sunday June 22, 2008, About: Teams chasing van der Vaart

I'd love to see VdV join my beloved Atletico Madrid...
He has some spanish ties, so it could make sense. He's very expensive though (around 25 or 30 mil).

Posted Saturday June 21, 2008, About: Navarro dumps Memphis for Spain

NY FAN==> Well, I love the 'soft' label being brought to everyone's attention.
It's very convenient isn't it ?
I mean, it's easier to blame Gasol, Vujacic and Radmanovic, rather than Kobe, Odom or Phil Jackson...

Gasol had to play as a center, when actually he's a power forward. Yeah he didn't have some great finals...
I am no Lakers fan but I'm a European, and I'm kinda sick and tired of hearing Europeans are soft when a guy like Odom hasn't been able to play one decent game in the Finals. Kobe never showed up during money time. And Vujacic and Radmanovic are shooters, you can't expect them to attack the rim.

Navarro's departure is a shame. Sure, NBA fans couldn't see much of what he had to offer. But with so many franchises not interested in winning, expect more uneven trades such as the one that sent Gasol to LA, or talented Euros going home...

Posted Friday June 20, 2008, About: Bocanegra joins French team

He signed for the French league version of Fulham.
He should be a starter, Rennes has lot of issues with its back four.

Posted Friday June 20, 2008, About: Kings' Artest to the Lakers?

A good deal ?
For LA, no doubt. But why Sacramento would do that ? Odom is a free agent at the end of 09, but I'm not sure Sacto could be a major actor in next year's free agency. They need picks to rebuild...
Maybe a third team would make it more interesting for the Kings.

Posted Friday June 20, 2008, About: Navarro dumps Memphis for Spain

It was a no brainer at that point...
His best bud was traded away for nothing, Iavaroni didn't give him enough playing time. He was playing as a 2 when actually he's a point guard.
He's gonna be one of the best paid player in Europe, he gets to play for his hometown and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Oh and I almost forgot, it's a great ballclub which is looking forward to bounce back and win the Euroleague.
Too bad, another European who has to leave because he didn't have the chance to play for a team that fit with his skills and type of game...

Posted Friday June 13, 2008, About: Spurs enter Joaquin chase

I'm not really high on Joaquin. Lots of hype but he's a real cancer in a locker-room. If the Spurs want a right winger, they should go after Jesus Navas, who blossomed while playing for Juande in Sevilla.

Posted Monday June 09, 2008, About: Atletico winger linked to Newcastle

Reyes has lost of value over the past two seasons...
He had a great finish with Real Madrid, but they chose no to keep him. He went back to Arsenal and he was sold to Atletico Madrid last summer. A club to wich he had given a verbal agreement a year before, before finally backing up and opting for Real Madrid.
Aguirre never liked him, they exchanged words once on the bench, in the middle of a game.
I'm not really fond of him. He's a crybaby, who is overrated, one of those youngsters who gained a lot of hype during his days with Arsenal. It's funny, how these ex-gunners, once they leave the nest are huge busts !

Posted Sunday June 08, 2008, About: Atletico Madrid eyes Oliveira

According to the french press, Florent sinama Pongolle is about to join atletico madrid...
He'd be a huge upgrade over Mista....

Posted Saturday June 07, 2008, About: Villareal rejects numerous offers

Valencia is a farce.
Their former president was terrible and now they have a huge 300M??? deficit to deal with. A firesale is coming, it might take a few years to see them back in the spanish top 4.

Posted Saturday June 07, 2008, About: Atletico Madrid eyes Oliveira

Arsenalfan you're very funny.
I guess you haven't watched much Aguero play.
In a couple of years, he'll be way ahead of Messi, talentwise.
He's a great scorer, lethal one-on-one, though small can score some nice headers, he can score with both feet and he's less injury prone than Messi...

Posted Saturday June 07, 2008, About: Mancini close to Barca move

I don't buy it, but I'd like to talk about something else.
Where does Barcelona find all that money ?
They already signed Pique, Caceres, Keita and Alves. And they haven't sold anybody.
Of course, Deco, Ronaldinho and probably Eto'o are on their way out, but still, for a club known for its financial problems, it's really odd...

Posted Saturday June 07, 2008, About: Villareal rejects numerous offers

Villarreal has the best coach in Spain.
They overcame key departures such as Forlan and Riquelme.
I'm really impressed. And on top of it, they're very smart on the transfer market as stated earlier.

Posted Saturday June 07, 2008, About: Atletico Madrid eyes Oliveira

I can't believe they could sign him, considering the fact that Oliveira signed a new deal with them a couple of weeks ago.
He'd be a great acquisition for my colchoneros, but I highly doubt it.
Oh and by the way, Aguero is not moving this summer...
Forza Atleti !

Posted Monday June 02, 2008, About: Amelia linked to Atletico Madrid

I can't believe he stayed with Livorno.
He'd be a great addition to my beloved colchoneros. atl??tico needs a solid keeper. Abbiati committed a few blunders and he should be joining Palermo and I thnik Leo Franco has done greatn but it's time to move on for him...

Posted Monday May 19, 2008, About: Arsenal, Liverpool want French star

Well so far only Flamini has left, but I predict more to come...
Arsenal have two weak spots: their goalie and their strikers...
I'm not even sure they'll be a top-four team next year.
By the way, I'm not sure taking jabs at the spanish press is a good idea, especially when you take a look at the english one : )

Posted Sunday May 18, 2008, About: Tottenham prepares Eto'o offer

Enough with David Villa...
He's a good player, but I think there are legitimate concerns over his joining the EPL. I'm not even sure he has what it takes to play for Real Madrid.
He's different from Fernando Torres.
Torres was bound to succeed in England. He had played for a mediocre team for almost a decade but he was able to score between 15-20 goals per season, when he was surrounded by a very poor cast. He was one of the youngest captain of Atl??tico Madrid and has dealt with a great amount pressure since he was 19.
Villa on the other hand, had a different career. He never played for a great club with a lot of pressure. he came out of nowhere at zaragoza and then starred with the Murcielagos in Valencia. He hasn't had a key game with the national team but played great in a few Champions League games.
He's one of my favourite players, but I still have doubts.