The Association Football Thread

#3,526
#3,526
milohimself said:
It would, but the nature of soccer can be a double-edged sword to those looking for ratings. When you've got entire nations raised on the game, the viewers just show up. Too many boring or poorly played games could be dangerous. But I think MLS could actually be marketed similarly to basketball. The other reason I forgot to mention as to why it's good the MLS season is when it is (other than only having to compete with early/mid-season MLB) is that players here can go out on loan in Europe, and more importantly down the road if revenues continue to improve, players from Europe can come out here on loan.

So things seem to be going well, both NBC and ESPN say that the MLS matches they're showing are hitting their ratings targets.
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MLS will have to clean up its style of play before any Euro team would even consider loaning a player. that kind of goes along with the better revenue thing as well. more money-better talent=less rough prison yard tackling.
 
#3,527
#3,527
IMO the refs have done a lot to clean up the game in the last couple seasons, they are definitely more prone to pull cards. They still allow players to get away with a lot, mainly because there aren't that many genuine ball winners so there is a lot more slide tackling here than in Europe. But it's getting better.
 
#3,528
#3,528
Wigan clear.

Bolton or QPR to be the lucky recipient of a trip to the Championship. I'd like to see Bolton stay up.
 
#3,529
#3,529
Bayern plays for the Pokal trophy on Saturday vs Dortmund and of course Chelsea next Saturday. Two good weekend games in a row.
 
#3,534
#3,534
Roughneck said:
This appears to be done. Now they need to lock up RVP, Song, and Walcott.

I'm glad they learned from last summers mistakes and are signing new players early.
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They are close to agreeing with Vertonghen as well. They will probably then try to sneak Hoillett away and be done with big names. I would be completely happy with that.
 
#3,535
#3,535
TylerD said:
They are close to agreeing with Vertonghen as well. They will probably then try to sneak Hoillett away and be done with big names. I would be completely happy with that.
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Same here. All signs point to a promising summer. A lot of names are in the hat for Vertonghen though. I can't wait to see Wilshere on the pitch again.
 
#3,536
#3,536
Vertonghen apparently hopes Ajax don't price him out of a move to Spurs, so he may be looking there. His coach wants him to go to Barca, so yeah.

Hopefully with Steve Bould replacing Pat Rice as the new #2, he can whip the defense into shape.
 
#3,538
#3,538
Jan Vertonghen fears Ajax could price him out of Tottenham move - ESPN Soccernet

Jan Vertonghen has set his sights on a move to Tottenham Hotspur but fears Ajax could price him out of a move.

Vertonghen, 25, has made clear his desire to move to the Premier League this summer and Spurs are among the interested parties. He has only one year remaining on his contract and hopes his club do not price him out of a move to White Hart Lane.

"The board is asking a fair amount for a player who is only contracted for another year," he told De Telegraaf. "I trust that Ajax and Spurs can turn water into wine and sort it out soon."

The Belgium international, who has been named the Eredivisie's Footballer of the Year, has been with Ajax since 2003 and has helped the club to two Eredivisie titles.

"I owe a lot to Ajax but I have always given my heart and soul," he said. "My appreciation for the club and fans is great and it would be terrible if my farewell was marred by Ajax sticking to a great price.

"Of course I want Ajax to gain financially but the amount Tottenham are willing to pay - perhaps with a little extra - is very reasonable."

Ajax coach Frank de Boer recently suggested Vertonghen should be looking to move to Barcelona, while several top Premier League clubs are said to be interested, but the player has his heart set on a move to Spurs.

"Tottenham are definitely my preference," he said. "Tottenham is a fantastic football club. Ajax was the perfect club for me, but Spurs will be very close in nearing that already. They buy young, eager and offensive-minded players."
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#3,545
#3,545
ellunitiko said:
I think Dortmund may have just beaten out Bayern for my 5th spot.
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Nah, they are our bogie team. Let them do something in international competition first.

You still haven't answered my question, though. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and who? City? You could make a case for them, for sure. But they didn't even make it out of the so-called group of death. United? They didn't make it of a really weak group. Juventus? AC Milan?

Bayern didn't win their league and admittedly looked absolutely horrible today, but they've done enough in the CL to warrant a place in the top five.
 
#3,549
#3,549
Godfatha said:
Nah, they are our bogie team. Let them do something in international competition first.

You still haven't answered my question, though. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and who? City? You could make a case for them, for sure. But they didn't even make it out of the so-called group of death. United? They didn't make it of a really weak group. Juventus? AC Milan?

Bayern didn't win their league and admittedly looked absolutely horrible today, but they've done enough in the CL to warrant a place in the top five.
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.
 
#3,550
#3,550
Godfatha said:
Nah, they are our bogie team. Let them do something in international competition first.

You still haven't answered my question, though. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and who? City? You could make a case for them, for sure. But they didn't even make it out of the so-called group of death. United? They didn't make it of a really weak group. Juventus? AC Milan?

Bayern didn't win their league and admittedly looked absolutely horrible today, but they've done enough in the CL to warrant a place in the top five.
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Madrid, barca, city, united, bayern. That's not based on this year alone or European play, just who I feel are top 5 currently or recently have been.

Honorable mention to inter, chelsea, Dortmund for play either recently past or recently seen.

I mean we could go way back and start throwing ajax, juve, etc. but I'll stand by my top 5 clubs in Europe at this very moment in time.
 
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