FOOTBALL • VOETBAL • FÚTBOL • CALCIO • FUTEBOL - 2013-2014 THREAD

[El Argentino]

ESPN reporting Kaká has gone back to Milan on a free. Madrid wanted him off the books and essentially given him back to the Rossoneri.

 

[clockwise]

If Arsenal gets Özil today I will celebrate irresponsibly tonight.

An impressive midfield is building up with Özil, maybe Cabaye coming in today too, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosicky, Ox, Podolski, Arteta.... That's around 10 top quality mids!

But only one striker?
And an injured defense.
And a wobbly keeper.

I predict Arsenal will end up 4th. 1 point ahead of Spurs. Haha. And Liverpool will combat Everton and Villa for 6th. It's the same old story.

 

[idfnl]



Bale to Madrid breaks world-transfer fee record. Official confirmation now.

*holding breath for Ronaldo to be saddened again*

And he's still not the 3rd best player in the world???

Why would Ronaldo be saddened? They can play opposite wings, Ronaldo is 2 footed.

Ozil would be a great get for Arsenal, the kid is a fantastic, fantastic player.

 

[Jabonator]

No he isn't.

And Ronaldo will be mad that he's not the record transfer anymore.

 

[El Argentino]



No he isn't.

And Ronaldo will be mad that he's not the record transfer anymore.

This. ^^^

But I disagree, now that the move is finalized. Özil to Arsenal makes no sense when they have such a loaded midfield already. Madrid on the other hand are now going without an attacking playmaker, having sent Kaká back to Milan too. You have Isco, but he's more of a second striker than a creator.

I'm still not sold on Módric.

Losing Özil makes no sense; he's done nothing but good for Madrid. He lapses in and out of games, but that's part of his style - will suddenly pop up with the assist. Not liking the move at all.

Glad Kaká's finally gone though.

 

[clockwise]

Would have expected Arsenal to spend big for a striker but there is no doubt that Özil should be a massive addition to the team. Arsenal joins Barca, Madrid and Chelsea in stacking up a brilliant midfield at the expense of strikers. I am really surprised and satisfied with this move. Also relieved that the attempt to get Suarez didn't work out, regardless of how good he is, I wouldn't have wanted him in an Arsenal team.

Chelsea has to bench Mata which is an enormous waste of a world class player, Arsenal will bench Rosicky who is anyway not more than a useful sub on a title challenging team. I expect Cazorla and Özil to become a fabulous duo even if they have similar roles.

Flamini can probably turn out to be an excellent backup for Arteta and Viviano will likely replace Szczesny as first choice keeper. Seems Arsene didn't do so bad this summer after all.

Wondering if Real Madrid is really a better team after these last transfers. Even a straight trade at equal valuation of Özil and Bale seems iffy.

I expect ManU fans to be less than ecstatic after the close of the transfer window. It is all good.

 

[DLester]

I have so much to say....not the least of which is, thank god this necrothread attracted some posts

Would have expected Arsenal to spend big for a striker but there is no doubt that Özil should be a massive addition to the team.

Chelsea has to bench Mata which is an enormous waste of a world class player

I expect ManU fans to be less than ecstatic after the close of the transfer window. It is all good.

Good job Arsenal on Ozil.

Mata has not been 100% but will get a lot of games when he is. But I know what you are saying, and there has been handwringing on the Chelsea boards over his situation. I don't think he is being shut out though.

ManU lost the game of musical chairs, Fellaini will be very good for them but they got out played elsewhere. Coentrão, wft. I dont think that would have happened to SAF. They are still quite good though and favorites for top 2 in my book.

 

[clockwise]



I have so much to say....not the least of which is, thank god this necrothread attracted some posts
Good job Arsenal on Ozil.

Mata has not been 100% but will get a lot of games when he is. But I know what you are saying, and there has been handwringing on the Chelsea boards over his situation. I don't think he is being shut out though.

ManU lost the game of musical chairs, Fellaini will be very good for them but they got out played elsewhere. Coentrão, wft. I dont think that would have happened to SAF. They are still quite good though and favorites for top 2 in my book.

Chelsea has done some of the best transfer deals of all PL teams this summer. In my book there is a bit of a question mark for Schurrle who didn't come cheaply. I also wonder if Eto'o is much more than a shadow of his former goal scoring genius. Rooney would have been a sensational capture and maybe Moyes' real success this transfer window was to hold on to his "back-up striker".

Fellaini was of huge importane for Everton but I am not convinced he will be the same in a ManU shirt.

I can't see ManU taking the trophy this year. Chelsea and Man City look to be stronger and Chelsea is my bet, the Mourinho effect is going to be the decider.

 

[archibaldleach]

IMO Ozil is a great acquisition for Arsenal. Not in any way an Arsenal fan, but he's one of the better midfielders out there and can compete with world class talent.

 

[kashmir]

Manchester City I think had done the best player shopping this summer. Spot on.

 

[kashmir]

Manchester City I think had done the best player shopping this summer. Spot on.

 

[masaccio]



Mata has not been 100% but will get a lot of games when he is. But I know what you are saying, and there has been handwringing on the Chelsea boards over his situation. I don't think he is being shut out though.

According to reports, Mou is just resting Mata b/c he's played non-stop for two years, what with Olympics and Confed Cup the previous two summers.

If CFC wanted to sell Mata, they would have easily done so during the window.

 

[MrGimpy]



I have so much to say....not the least of which is, thank god this necrothread attracted some posts
Good job Arsenal on Ozil.

Mata has not been 100% but will get a lot of games when he is. But I know what you are saying, and there has been handwringing on the Chelsea boards over his situation. I don't think he is being shut out though.

ManU lost the game of musical chairs, Fellaini will be very good for them but they got out played elsewhere. Coentrão, wft. I dont think that would have happened to SAF. They are still quite good though and favorites for top 2 in my book.

It's always sad when a top class player gets shut out because he doesn't fit a system. If Mata and Kagawa spend most of their time on the bench, we all lose.

In the end, Man U probably didn't need very much so the final result isn't bad. The way they went about their business compared to their crosstown rivals, however, was surreal. Aren't City supposed to be the incompetent yahoos and United the sleek professionals?

 

[clockwise]

Yes, Man City may have got the best out of this summer when compared to all other PL teams. But they also splashed out around 100 million pounds and will have many new starters to play into the team. I wouldn't bet on Man City this year but maybe next year if the owners have patience and Pellegrini works out. I am not convinced. The amount of money spent in the transfer market doesn't equate to success on grass as we know from untold examples (e.g. Torres, Robinho, Carroll).

Anything less than 1st or 2nd will obviously be a massive failure for both Chelsea and Man City this year. My bet is on Mourinho to get straight back to lifting the trophy. Interesting to have ManU as an underdog.

No doubt that the single biggest PL transfer of the year is Özil. And it is amazing that it was Arsenal who got him and not Chelsea, ManU or City. Who would have imagined this a few days ago? Realistically, Arsenal will end up 4th again but with a decent chance to challenge the top 3.

 

[chobochobo]

City bought quite well but I've still doubts the acquisitions can play to their full potential in that team. Chelsea, some good, some meh. United I think did okay with Fellani, after all Moyes is very familiar with him, and they kept a seemingly hungry Rooney. Ozil seems to be a good buy. Spurs did the best, selling Bale for a three times his value and getting a stack of players in.