I will probably be banned for this but... Footie Thread

[Storm]

Limited role?
Mintex, during his 3 seasons at Barca, he practically played every game. Barca fans like me will always remember him fondly (especially for his great goal in the clasico) an his hardwork at all times, but all of us also saw his lack of quality in terms of finishing chances - especially when compared to Messi or Villa or Pedro during that period.

Yes sure, he has a bigger role at Arsenal but he was never a bit part player at Barca. You can't be just passing to Messi and still get 20 La Liga goals which he got lseason before last. Infact during that year Messi was out for 2 months so Barca completely depended on Alexis and Neymar to score goals. He wore the famous #9 as well. Not so limited then.

I can also say that it is amusing that Arsenal fans can assess his quality after just one (although great) season. Plenty of people have had a good season and then not so good which is also what happened to him in Barcelona btw.

Perhaps you meant the freedom to roam and dictate play - on the pitch? Well he mostly played on one side of the front 3 or as a central striker but Messi obviously had complete freedom of movement, but then you cannot have everybody with the same tactical role can you?

As for Suarez, well no way can I condone his behaviour in the past but he has been very good in the red and blue shirt, and do you really believe that Arsenal would not have signed him if they could have? Just for upholding ethics and sportsmanship?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I think certain players suit different leagues style of play better than others.
Sanchez has adapted well to the premier league, where Falcao has struggled.

[Storm]

Looks like Falcao will have another shot at it with Chelsea?
Also Falcao was coming back from a bad injury directly into the premier league, perhaps that played a part.

[steveaki13]

New FIFA rankings

1. Germany
2. Belgium
3. Argentina
4. Colombia
5. Brazil
6. Netherlands
7. Portugal
8. Uruguay
9. France
10. Spain

[Storm]

Belgium lol, they are good but nowhere near 2nd best in the world....these rankings are usually pretty stupid anyways like most rankings are - do friendlies count in these?
Portugal better than France, Spain and England okay the last one? Italy not in 10, well I hope they get their act together by next year's euros.

[pino]

Italy not in Top 10 ??FIFA ranking is as real as their honesty...

[pino]

Back to CL final, Chiellini has been ruled out, due to an injury. Even more difficult for Juve now

[Big Ben]

garbage. romania is 12th. that must be joke.

they left out a digit, in case anyone wondered what the joke was.

[Big Ben]

Back to CL final, Chiellini has been ruled out, due to an injury. Even more difficult for Juve now

what are the symptoms? he can't stand the sun light anymore?

[Rollo]

Italy not in Top 10 ??FIFA ranking is as real as their honesty...

Would this be the same Italy who failed to escape the group stage in Brazil?

Belgium were knocked out in Brazil by the side that would go on to lose the final. They also made a clean sweep of Group H.
In the qualifiers for Euro 2016, the currently top Group B.

In fact, discarding friendlies which don't count towards FIFA rankings, Belgium have only lost four matches going back to 2012 and two of those were to Germany. In the same period, Italy have lost eight.