Liverpool - RIP Diogo Jota

[Birdy]

All that money for pep to school those fools

Pep will not school anyone next season.
He is currently far behind both Pool and ARsenal.
On par with Chelsea IMO.

No WC signing this summer, while losing WC players in KdB, and WC core of the past (Bernardo, Gundo) being old and dusted.
Holes in defense and GK that are not filled
Doku and SAvino look solid, the rest is all a big bet that can go south.

 

[MonteCuler]

No WC signing this summer

Reijnders

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Pep will not school anyone next season.
He is currently far behind both Pool and ARsenal.
On par with Chelsea IMO.

No WC signing this summer, while losing WC players in KdB, and WC core of the past (Bernardo, Gundo) being old and dusted.
Holes in defense and GK that are not filled
Doku and SAvino look solid, the rest is all a big bet that can go south.

Doku solid you're joking. He's a better dribbler than Madueke but they both are shit with final decisions. Be interesting if Pep stays with his pets Haaland and Doku over Marmoush and Cherki who step out of his robotiki zones.

If Pool and City were coached to their roster's potential City should win the league but I'm losing faith Pep can give his players enough freedom. If Slot coached City and Pep Pool, City would run the league.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Forgot to mention I'm glad Pool got Ekitke since he'll be more interesting to watch than Isak.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Forgot to mention I'm glad Pool got Ekitke since he'll be more interesting to watch than Isak.

lets see, jovic and marmoush looked also like superstars at frankfurt and didnt really perform like that at their new clubs

Isak at least knows the league

 

[Birdy]

Reijnders

True, my bad!
Rodri (if he is his former self) - Reijnders is a truly WC duo deep

As for the rest of the XI (all of them): Doku Savinho Marmoush are top (not yet WC), but all the rest are limited in different ways IMO.

City at best have only 2 WC players, and another 3 elite players, in their starting XI, max 4 if you include Haaly (who I don't)
All the rest are below IMO

PS: Compare that to others, espeically Pool and Arsenal
Pool starters: 5 WC (Allison, VVD, Wirtz, McAllister, Salah), and 5 elite (Gravenbech, Etikite, Rodrygo (in Diaz' place), Konate/Guehi, Frimpong)

Arsenal starters: 2 WC (Rice, Saka) and 6 elite (Zubi, Gyokeres, Odegaard/Havertz, Saliba, Timber, Calafiori)

Chelsea: 1 WC (Palmer) and 6 elite (Caicedo, Enzo, Joao Pedro, Estevao, Gittens, Reece James)

and so on...

 

[jamrock]

I see more hopping on the Reijnders train.

Welcome

I said Reijnders + rodri will eat this season months ago, assuming rodri is back to his old self

 

[Birdy]

I see more hopping on the Reijnders train.

Welcome

I said Reijnders + rodri will eat this season months ago, assuming rodri is back to his old self

You haven't followed my posts in the Serie A thread the last 2 seasons.

I had always been on the Reijnders train. Knew the guy already when he was at Alkmaar

 

[Maradona37]

True, my bad!
Rodri (if he is his former self) - Reijnders is a truly WC duo deep

As for the rest of the XI (all of them): Doku Savinho Marmoush are top (not yet WC), but all the rest are limited in different ways IMO.

City at best have only 2 WC players, and another 3 elite players, in their starting XI, max 4 if you include Haaly (who I don't)
All the rest are below IMO

PS: Compare that to others, espeically Pool and Arsenal
Pool starters: 5 WC (Allison, VVD, Wirtz, McAllister, Salah), and 5 elite (Gravenbech, Etikite, Rodrygo (in Diaz' place), Konate/Guehi, Frimpong)

Arsenal starters: 2 WC (Rice, Saka) and 6 elite (Zubi, Gyokeres, Odegaard/Havertz, Saliba, Timber, Calafiori)

Chelsea: 1 WC (Palmer) and 6 elite (Caicedo, Enzo, Joao Pedro, Estevao, Gittens, Reece James)

and so on...

I get your point but surely who is world-class and who isn't is a matter of opinion? I think there's a lot of talented players who can contribute in all four squads.

 

[Birdy]

I get your point but surely who is world-class and who isn't is a matter of opinion? I think there's a lot of talented players who can contribute in all four squads.

It is, I contribute my own pov on it.

For instance, I don't consider Haaland anywhere close to WC.
I do consider ALL of Allison, VVD, Salah, Wirtz and McAllister WC players

Others might disagree
It is what it is

 

[Maradona37]

It is, I contribute my own pov on it.

For instance, I don't consider Haaland anywhere close to WC.
I do consider ALL of Allison, VVD, Salah, Wirtz and McAllister WC players

Others might disagree
It is what it is

I tend to agree with that. Haaland scores many goals, but his all-round game is brutal (though looked better in the CWC). As you know, since the start I have said he scores goals but Man City function worse as a team. Though it isn't all his fault because some of their better players aged and Pep has looked more bored too and that has coincided with his time there.

Others would say that he scores so many goals it is crass not to consider him world-class. But that is a purely statistical approach and one you know I rarely subscribe to - the sort of idea that thinks 36 year old Lewa is world-class still, without taking into account how Flick's system makes him look better than his true level.

I would also agree those five Liverpool players are world-class. And would be tempted to add Konate too if he continues his good form.

On the other hand, I disagree with you about Doku. He's still young, but I feel he flatters to deceive - he can beat a man but his final ball or shot need a lot of work. I do agree on marmoush having potential though, and am more neutral on Savinho, who so far seems like a less good Mahrez in style.

I don't fully agree with all your ratings on other teams, but my disagreement is so minor that I don't really feel the need to discuss it. Overall it was a fair and reasonable post, but so many players are named there will always be minor disputes here and there.

 

[Birdy]

I tend to agree with that. Haaland scores many goals, but his all-round game is brutal (though looked better in the CWC). As you know, since the start I have said he scores goals but Man City function worse as a team. Though it isn't all his fault because some of their better players aged and Pep has looked more bored too and that has coincided with his time there.

Others would say that he scores so many goals it is crass not to consider him world-class. But that is a purely statistical approach and one you know I rarely subscribe to - the sort of idea that thinks 36 year old Lewa is world-class still, without taking into account how Flick's system makes him look better than his true level.

I would also agree those five Liverpool players are world-class. And would be tempted to add Konate too if he continues his good form.

On the other hand, I disagree with you about Doku. He's still young, but I feel he flatters to deceive - he can beat a man but his final ball or shot need a lot of work. I do agree on marmoush having potential though, and am more neutral on Savinho, who so far seems like a less good Mahrez in style.

I don't fully agree with all your ratings on other teams, but my disagreement is so minor that I don't really feel the need to discuss it. Overall it was a fair and reasonable post, but so many players are named there will always be minor disputes here and there.

Only about Doku:

When he can progress the ball like that AND CREATE right into the box, then I don't think he just 'flatters to deceive'...

A top notch talent that can only become better...

 

[Maradona37]

Only about Doku:

When he can progress the ball like that right into the box, then I don't think he just 'flatters to deceive'...

A top notch talent that can only become better...

Yeah I don't deny he is a great ball carrier, and can dribble and beat men, that is fair.

It's just his final ball that needs work, and that is one of the hardest parts. It could be confirmation bias or listening to too many of his detractors, but feel like the eye test for me shows that he often messes up the shot or the final pass/cross.

But in terms of dribbling one-on-one and running with the ball he has a special gift, yes.

 

[serghei]

Liverpool finally behaving like a top tier club on the market. Owning their aspiration to become the leading English club. Nice.

 

[Birdy]

Yeah I don't deny he is a great ball carrier, and can dribble and beat men, that is fair.

It's just his final ball that needs work, and that is one of the hardest parts. It could be confirmation bias or listening to too many of his detractors, but feel like the eye test for me shows that he often messes up the shot or the final pass/cross.

But in terms of dribbling one-on-one and running with the ball he has a special gift, yes.

Fina ball also.
Look the 2nd graph