Breaking news...Benzema to Madrid for 35m euros!!!

Jaime wrote:

L-r d wrote:Well i'd say being illegal means something. Surely either side could pull out and the other side couldn't do fuck all about it. I think Calderon was just talking shit as usual and some people seem to believe him god knows why. But logic suggests there's nothing in it, but from what Perez has been saying he clearly does want Ronaldo. And he compared him to Zidane saying what seems the most expensive may be the cheapest, i hope you like that comparison

I think this is the most likely scenario.

Perez has said that CR is the sort of player that he wants at Madrid (i.e. world class) but he's said the same of Kaka, Messi, etc. It doesn't mean we're signing him. Although I wouldn't rule anything out.

Well i was just looking at stats and saw this http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5359346,00.html Didn't see it before. That's where i got it from. Don't want him to go yet and don't think he will. But it's a matter of time for sure i think we all know that.

I have a sneak suspicion that the pre-contract agreement exists knowing Calderon and Cunt Ronaldo. I f**ing hope it is null and void, though.

The thing is though, if it really was to cost us 120 as fee as reported, whereas Perez's estimate is 75, that's 45M too much. In that case, it would better to pay the said 30M penalty and renegociate the terms if you really wanted him. The pre-contract is, if it exists, only in favour of the greasy Portugueses @arsehole. If the said contract was deemed valid, it would cost us at least 105M. So, the best thing to do is to ignore it and go for someone with equal talent and better personality, i.e. (you guessed it) Ribery, which would make the specially appointed advisor happy as well.

The advantage to Cristiano over Ribery is that marketing Cristiano will generate tons of money whereas Ribery won't. The only thing that is giving me pause is that Perez has repeatedly mentioned bringing in six new players but all of the rumours link us to attacking players. We really need a new CB and LB.

The number of players we're being linked with is ridiculous and even crazier, all of them seem possible. Cristiano, Xabi, Villa, Silva, even some reports link us to Ribery... I don't know how Pellegrini is gonna come up with a balanced formation. Exciting times though!

L-r d wrote:

Jaime wrote:

L-r d wrote:Well i'd say being illegal means something. Surely either side could pull out and the other side couldn't do fuck all about it. I think Calderon was just talking shit as usual and some people seem to believe him god knows why. But logic suggests there's nothing in it, but from what Perez has been saying he clearly does want Ronaldo. And he compared him to Zidane saying what seems the most expensive may be the cheapest, i hope you like that comparison

I think this is the most likely scenario.

Perez has said that CR is the sort of player that he wants at Madrid (i.e. world class) but he's said the same of Kaka, Messi, etc. It doesn't mean we're signing him. Although I wouldn't rule anything out.

Well i was just looking at stats and saw this http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5359346,00.html Didn't see it before. That's where i got it from. Don't want him to go yet and don't think he will. But it's a matter of time for sure i think we all know that.

Manchester United allowed C. Ronaldo to play two finals in two years. No club has done that this decade.

Manchester United have allowed C. Ronaldo to shine and become a golden ball winner.

Are you not even slightly pissed off at his comments? Kaka' is going, but if Kaka' acted like Ronaldo, I would want Kaka' out immediately.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

L-r d wrote:

Jaime wrote:

L-r d wrote:Well i'd say being illegal means something. Surely either side could pull out and the other side couldn't do fuck all about it. I think Calderon was just talking shit as usual and some people seem to believe him god knows why. But logic suggests there's nothing in it, but from what Perez has been saying he clearly does want Ronaldo. And he compared him to Zidane saying what seems the most expensive may be the cheapest, i hope you like that comparison

I think this is the most likely scenario.

Perez has said that CR is the sort of player that he wants at Madrid (i.e. world class) but he's said the same of Kaka, Messi, etc. It doesn't mean we're signing him. Although I wouldn't rule anything out.

Well i was just looking at stats and saw this http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5359346,00.html Didn't see it before. That's where i got it from. Don't want him to go yet and don't think he will. But it's a matter of time for sure i think we all know that.

Manchester United allowed C. Ronaldo to play two finals in two years. No club has done that this decade.

Manchester United have allowed C. Ronaldo to shine and become a golden ball winner.

Are you not even slightly pissed off at his comments? Kaka' is going, but if Kaka' acted like Ronaldo, I would want Kaka' out immediately.

I wasn't happy with the way he handled things last year at all. But you know he has been here quite a long time. Spain is closer to home and in the end it is inevitable. He knows he owes Man Utd a lot that's why he stopped short last season of demanding a move and sulking, he just accepted he's staying and tried his best for the team. It wasn't enough to win over some fans but people stopped hating him and it worked.

If he stays this season which seems likely. That will be 7 years and that's a long time, so nobody after that will begrudge him a move i think.

Yeah, Kaka' has been here for 6, and he is going at 27, so I would say (given his injuries and form), he has 2-3 years at the absolute top.

However, does it not hurt to see a megastar leave United?

It's not great, certainly not used to it but it's been on the cards so long that it wont feel or seem as bad. If Ronaldo acted half the way he did last summer this one i think Man Utd fans would demand he is sold just to end the nonsense. Ronaldo was never going to be like Giggs or Beckham and want to stay for as long as possible. But he's always gave 100% when on the field.

Even though i prefer Ronaldo if Milan suddenly bid 40 mill for Rooney and he went then that would be out of this world horrible. And i would not even look forward to the season ahead at all. but Ronaldo saga is just tedious. At least Kaka will leave on good terms, i can see Ronaldo being looked back on with a sour taste by a lot of fans. Not me though.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

L-r d wrote:

Jaime wrote:

L-r d wrote:Well i'd say being illegal means something. Surely either side could pull out and the other side couldn't do fuck all about it. I think Calderon was just talking shit as usual and some people seem to believe him god knows why. But logic suggests there's nothing in it, but from what Perez has been saying he clearly does want Ronaldo. And he compared him to Zidane saying what seems the most expensive may be the cheapest, i hope you like that comparison

I think this is the most likely scenario.

Perez has said that CR is the sort of player that he wants at Madrid (i.e. world class) but he's said the same of Kaka, Messi, etc. It doesn't mean we're signing him. Although I wouldn't rule anything out.

Well i was just looking at stats and saw this http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5359346,00.html Didn't see it before. That's where i got it from. Don't want him to go yet and don't think he will. But it's a matter of time for sure i think we all know that.

Manchester United allowed C. Ronaldo to play two finals in two years. No club has done that this decade.

Manchester United have allowed C. Ronaldo to shine and become a golden ball winner.

Are you not even slightly pissed off at his comments? Kaka' is going, but if Kaka' acted like Ronaldo, I would want Kaka' out immediately.

Valencia

BREAKING NEWS: Spanish Press Claim Inter President Moratti Is In Barcelona To Sell Ibrahimovic
The Nerazzurri patron reportedly visited Barcelona this afternoon to begin negotiations...

think he would be a quality signing for Barca

Batman wrote:BREAKING NEWS: Spanish Press Claim Inter President Moratti Is In Barcelona To Sell Ibrahimovic
The Nerazzurri patron reportedly visited Barcelona this afternoon to begin negotiations...

think he would be a quality signing for Barca

I don't he is completly wrong for 4-3-3. Also just heard Ac Milan or Berlusconi claims they have a chance of signing Ronaldo

the way Barca play 4-3-3 is different to what Inter did plus Barca have more creative players.

i think Zlatan can provide some of the magic and unpredictability they lost with Ronaldinho.

It looks like it's going to be a crazy summer.
Kaka, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Eto'o, Ribery, Tevez...

Batman wrote:the way Barca play 4-3-3 is different to what Inter did plus Barca have more creative players.

i think Zlatan can provide some of the magic and unpredictability they lost with Ronaldinho.

He doesn't have the pace to play on the left like Ronaldinho did. I agree with lrd that he doesn't fit into a 4-3-3.

If Inter lose him, i assume they'd get Cassano.

Goal.com reports that Zidane claims that Kaka has already signed for RM.

A fellow interisti claims that Barca have offered Eto'o plus EUR 20M for Ibrahimovic. Inter are apparently holding out for another Eur 10M! If true, then they will surely find the compromise inbetween.

I am not against selling our best player. But only if we replace him with Eto'o and Ribery, or 2 players of similar caliber. The way we play, we need 2 players to replace Ibra - a WC goalscorer, and a WC creative force.

bluenine wrote:A fellow interisti claims that Barca have offered Eto'o plus EUR 20M for Ibrahimovic. Inter are apparently holding out for another Eur 10M! If true, then they will surely find the compromise inbetween.

I am not against selling our best player. But only if we replace him with Eto'o and Ribery, or 2 players of similar caliber. The way we play, we need 2 players to replace Ibra - a WC goalscorer, and a WC creative force.

I heard the offer is 30M + Eto'o.

Don't think you really need Eto'o though after the Milito deal.

Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

stinger wrote:Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

Really? I thought quite the opposite... Ibra has become fantastic defensively in the last year or two, and does a lot of covering up and pressing. Definately more so than Eto'o.

And to add to that, he is not the best target man for Alves's crosses. So you got that wrong too. Like I mentioned before, if Barca are thinking of using him as a Eto'o replacement, they are making a huge mistake. But if they are thinking of using him as a Henry replacement, then Barca will be much stronger.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

bluenine wrote:A fellow interisti claims that Barca have offered Eto'o plus EUR 20M for Ibrahimovic. Inter are apparently holding out for another Eur 10M! If true, then they will surely find the compromise inbetween.

I am not against selling our best player. But only if we replace him with Eto'o and Ribery, or 2 players of similar caliber. The way we play, we need 2 players to replace Ibra - a WC goalscorer, and a WC creative force.

I heard the offer is 30M + Eto'o.

Don't think you really need Eto'o though after the Milito deal.

I heard Inter are holding out for Eto'o plus 30M.

Yeah, we need another striker. Currently we just have Ibra, Milito and Balotelli (Crespo, Cruz, Suazo, Acquafresca, Obinna, & Adriano are all out or on their way out). If one of them leaves, we will need 2 strikers. So if Ibra leaves, I expect Inter to buy Eto'o and Arnautovic.

Eto'o and Cassano would be better

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

Really? I thought quite the opposite... Ibra has become fantastic defensively in the last year or two, and does a lot of covering up and pressing. Definately more so than Eto'o.

And to add to that, he is not the best target man for Alves's crosses. So you got that wrong too. Like I mentioned before, if Barca are thinking of using him as a Eto'o replacement, they are making a huge mistake. But if they are thinking of using him as a Henry replacement, then Barca will be much stronger.

1. I can agree with pressing against defenders high on the pitch, but I just don't see him going to defend as deep as Eto'o was willing to do against attacking full backs. He lacks tenacity (?) that Eto'o had to do it.
2. Maybe he is not the best target man for Alves crosses if we would make a list for top of the footballing world, but in Barca? He's definitely better than Eto'o and other midgets who are playing up front. Not the big improvement I would like to see, but still it would be an improvement in this area.

Of course I agree that he would fit much better as Henry replacement.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Eto'o and Cassano would be better

Balotelli + Arnautovic + Eto'o already sound like the ingredients for dynamite, and Cassano could be the spark... no thank you!

bluenine wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Eto'o and Cassano would be better

Balotelli + Arnautovic + Eto'o already sound like the ingredients for dynamite, and Cassano could be the spark... no thank you!

IMO it is a bit risky to rely on 2 youngsters. Cassano is an established player and proven in Serie A hence he would be a better option.

stinger wrote:

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

Really? I thought quite the opposite... Ibra has become fantastic defensively in the last year or two, and does a lot of covering up and pressing. Definately more so than Eto'o.

And to add to that, he is not the best target man for Alves's crosses. So you got that wrong too. Like I mentioned before, if Barca are thinking of using him as a Eto'o replacement, they are making a huge mistake. But if they are thinking of using him as a Henry replacement, then Barca will be much stronger.

1. I can agree with pressing against defenders high on the pitch, but I just don't see him going to defend as deep as Eto'o was willing to do against attacking full backs. He lacks tenacity (?) that Eto'o had to do it.
2. Maybe he is not the best target man for Alves crosses if we would make a list for top of the footballing world, but in Barca? He's definitely better than Eto'o and other midgets who are playing up front. Not the big improvement I would like to see, but still it would be an improvement in this area.

Of course I agree that he would fit much better as Henry replacement.

Ibra doesn't help fullbacks as much, he helps the DMs. And is much more effective defensively than Eto'o and 90% of the strikers on the planet. Watch him for Inter these days, he is a changed man.

Ibra will not be an improvement on anyone as a CF for crosses. He is never in position for the crosses, always too deep. We tried that out (Mou's system) in the first few months of the season and failed miserably. He just does not have that mentality, almost always he is outside the D when the crosses are made.

But if Barca get a Eto'o replacement, like Villa or forlan for example, then Ibra could add a lot to Barca, imagine a frontline of:

Messi - Villa - Ibra

That would be so much more potent than the current Messi-Eto'o-Henry

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

bluenine wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Eto'o and Cassano would be better

Balotelli + Arnautovic + Eto'o already sound like the ingredients for dynamite, and Cassano could be the spark... no thank you!

IMO it is a bit risky to rely on 2 youngsters. Cassano is an established player and proven in Serie A hence he would be a better option.

Yeah, but we can expect our dressing room imploding before every game... nah!

On paper not in reality. The goals they scored last season wont be matched for a long ass time.

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

Really? I thought quite the opposite... Ibra has become fantastic defensively in the last year or two, and does a lot of covering up and pressing. Definately more so than Eto'o.

And to add to that, he is not the best target man for Alves's crosses. So you got that wrong too. Like I mentioned before, if Barca are thinking of using him as a Eto'o replacement, they are making a huge mistake. But if they are thinking of using him as a Henry replacement, then Barca will be much stronger.

1. I can agree with pressing against defenders high on the pitch, but I just don't see him going to defend as deep as Eto'o was willing to do against attacking full backs. He lacks tenacity (?) that Eto'o had to do it.
2. Maybe he is not the best target man for Alves crosses if we would make a list for top of the footballing world, but in Barca? He's definitely better than Eto'o and other midgets who are playing up front. Not the big improvement I would like to see, but still it would be an improvement in this area.

Of course I agree that he would fit much better as Henry replacement.

Ibra doesn't help fullbacks as much, he helps the DMs. And is much more effective defensively than Eto'o and 90% of the strikers on the planet. Watch him for Inter these days, he is a changed man.

I believe you (not watching Serie A enough to really discuss)....but protecting full backs is a must from him, if he would sign, since Messi will play from time to time as false centre forward (like in CL finals) and it's hard to expect from him defending on the wing at the same time, right?
Also, during his time with Eto'o, even if Eto'o was playing as striker, there were moments during the games they were switching, if Barca needed more protection defensively in wide areas. That's my concern with Imbrahimovic, just don't see him being able to do it. Harassing opposite DMs is nice too, but we are quite good in this area right now, even without Ibra.

stinger wrote:

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:

bluenine wrote:

stinger wrote:Don't really want Ibra signing with Barca - won't protect defensively as well as Eto'o, won't be able to defend full backs which will put more pressure defensively on Messi, and we will lose pace up front. Bad move if true
Even a chance that finally Alves will have a decent target for his crosses won't change my mind about it...

Really? I thought quite the opposite... Ibra has become fantastic defensively in the last year or two, and does a lot of covering up and pressing. Definately more so than Eto'o.

And to add to that, he is not the best target man for Alves's crosses. So you got that wrong too. Like I mentioned before, if Barca are thinking of using him as a Eto'o replacement, they are making a huge mistake. But if they are thinking of using him as a Henry replacement, then Barca will be much stronger.

1. I can agree with pressing against defenders high on the pitch, but I just don't see him going to defend as deep as Eto'o was willing to do against attacking full backs. He lacks tenacity (?) that Eto'o had to do it.
2. Maybe he is not the best target man for Alves crosses if we would make a list for top of the footballing world, but in Barca? He's definitely better than Eto'o and other midgets who are playing up front. Not the big improvement I would like to see, but still it would be an improvement in this area.

Of course I agree that he would fit much better as Henry replacement.

Ibra doesn't help fullbacks as much, he helps the DMs. And is much more effective defensively than Eto'o and 90% of the strikers on the planet. Watch him for Inter these days, he is a changed man.

I believe you (not watching Serie A enough to really discuss)....but protecting full backs is a must from him, if he would sign, since Messi will play from time to time as false centre forward (like in CL finals) and it's hard to expect from him defending on the wing at the same time, right?
Also, during his time with Eto'o, even if Eto'o was playing as striker, there were moments during the games they were switching, if Barca needed more protection defensively in wide areas. That's my concern with Imbrahimovic, just don't see him being able to do it. Harassing opposite DMs is nice too, but we are quite good in this area right now, even without Ibra.

I get what you are saying... like I said, Ibra is too different from Eto'o to replace him... but Ibra will give you other options, like he does for Inter. He will become a "DM" when you lose the ball, allowing your DM(s) to support your CB's/FB's. S defensively, Ibra does give us a lot of bite. But you should ideally look at Ibra as a Henry replacement, not Eto'o... you will still need someone to replace Eto'o, and that player can switch with Messi.

L-r d wrote:Well i'd say being illegal means something. Surely either side could pull out and the other side couldn't do fuck all about it. I think Calderon was just talking shit as usual and some people seem to believe him god knows why. But logic suggests there's nothing in it, but from what Perez has been saying he clearly does want Ronaldo. And he compared him to Zidane saying what seems the most expensive may be the cheapest, i hope you like that comparison

He is totally spot on with that comparison. In terms of talent no way. But with regards to how much Real Madrid would make back on it then he might be able to rival Beckham allthough that might be going to far. I have no problem with this sort of thinking as long as the player in question has a place tactically.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Batman wrote:the way Barca play 4-3-3 is different to what Inter did plus Barca have more creative players.

i think Zlatan can provide some of the magic and unpredictability they lost with Ronaldinho.

He doesn't have the pace to play on the left like Ronaldinho did. I agree with lrd that he doesn't fit into a 4-3-3.

If Inter lose him, i assume they'd get Cassano.

but he won't be played wide, when i compared him to Ronaldinho i meant creating and scoring goals out of nothing