Football (Soccer) Thread

[HVC]

That's not fair, he couldn't participate. He has bone spurs.

[Norgy]

Right Wingers scream that society has failed because kids 20 years ago were given Participation Trophies. Well now their dear leader has a Did Not Participate Trophy and the actual champions had to get a replica.

But it is the kids who are entitled huh?

Having played on the right wing, I did not get a participation trophy. 

I know this probably has been discussed already, but the next World Cup is partly in the United States.
Brazil better keep the Jules Rimet trophy at home, if they even qualify. But will the team that wins it keep its trophy or will we have more replicas?

Not that it matters, as the United States is looking much like a replica of the United States in any case.

[Norgy]

The Nottingham Forest owner is making Brian Clough look normal and predictable.

This Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga... just let him go, please. Yes, Forest will be relegated now that our two best players are gone and no-one can serve that big lump of a Kiwi up front, but remembering van Hooijdonk, I'd rather have Gibbs-White gone than him making noises and souring the atmosphere.

[Josquius]

Surprisingly seems Sunderland have signed Xhaka

[Norgy]

A very good signing, I would say.

[Zoupa]

He's kinda done isn't he? Surprised he didn't go for the MLS.

[Norgy]

I think for a newly promoted side, he'll bring some much needed experience. I might be wrong, but Shaka has been one of those players I have always liked.

Looks like Forest are getting an Elanga replacement. I have no clue as to whether he is class or not.

Those Brazilians the owner seems to love... colour me somewhat skeptical.

[Josquius]

Xhaka has still got it apparently. Ballon d'or nominated in 2024.
His position/style of play isn't one that needs a huge amount of running either.

Leverkeusen won the league just 2 seasons ago thanks to him and their manager was keen to keep him.
A lot of Basel fans thought he'd be heading their way. Though he's a few seasons off that yet.

Most of our new signings and our top up and comers are midfielders so I suspect he has an eye on post playing and he was also hired with this in mind. Bringing experience to a very young team.
The owner being a Swiss billionaire I suspect was part of this too. I expect he really pushed for it and oked a salary above the norm.


After forests last season I'd be surprised if they faced trouble this.
Forest really showed one way to survive.... One I hope Sunderland aren't copying.

[Norgy]

Forest showed their weaknesses at the run-in.
Too small squad, too many injuries. And despite my love for Chris Wood, he is not getting any younger.

Nuno, though, is one of the better managers in the game these days, and Forest are lucky to have him.

Forest have one of the most solid back four and goalies in the EPL. The question is, what do we have as an attacking force without Elanga's pace and vision?

[Zoupa]

Son Heung-min leaves Spurs 

[HVC]

Through the magic of the YouTube algorithm is saw a show of him introducing korean food to his team mates. If was pretty entertaining.


*edit* huh, he's going to the states. Isn't he a bit young to take that downgrade? Big bucks?

[Josquius]

Through the magic of the YouTube algorithm is saw a show of him introducing korean food to his team mates. If was pretty entertaining.


*edit* huh, he's going to the states. Isn't he a bit young to take that downgrade? Big bucks?

33...Meh. Guess he could still get a game at a pretty decent level.
Given the pulling power he has in Korea though I guess he's with a lot of money to the MLS in promotion so there will be a generous deal.
Could also be just quality of life stuff and wanting to play in a different league whilst still at the top of his game. More of a Korean community to be found in the US.

[Norgy]

Supercomputer has Forest at 17th. It is far more optimistic than me after those friendlies.

[Zoupa]

You can finish 17th and win the Europa League.    :COYS:

[Josquius]

Big legal case brewing it seems.

BBC News - Legal case a 'seismic confrontation' between players and Fifa
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy5prnpy142o


Ive mentioned before I always thought it a bit weird people are bought and sold in football and how normal employment law seemingly doesn't apply to them.
Sounds like this could totally upturn the economics of football.... It probably won't.
But if it did it sounds like it could do so in a good way.