Hey Micky!
Well-Known Member
Europe wise, I'm amazed Chelsea got stunned by Basel. But they'll still qualify from their group. Arsenal got a fantastic result given the group of death factor, Man City's result was a bit of a given and I was very impressed with Fellaini's first start for Man U (and obviously impressed with Rooney who seems to be in sparkling mode again based on his performances since being brought back into the Man U first team). Swansea impressed in Europe as well but there's only so much you can glean from a match against a 10 man side that have been struggling in their home league with 11 men; and as for Spurs, I don't see how they could not qualify from their group. As for Wigan, I'm amazed they're playing their first team in Europe when you consider how many games they have to play (Championship, the two domestic cups and Europe), but it's a good point for them and it's nice to see that they're taking it seriously (even if from a logical perspective I see it as a misuse of resources, getting back into the EPL has to be their priority no matter how nice a European cup run would be).
Also, chiming in slightly belatedly into the Bale or Neymar argument. First of all I'm of the opinion Neymar is the better business, and not just because he cost half the price. He's far from the finished article right now (naturally) but he's already a game-winning quality player with plenty of improvement to be made. He's only played alongside and against the best South America's club football can offer, he's definitely going to improve alongside and against the best Europe has to offer. Additionally, I think he's at the kind of club that's going to suit his development perfectly. He already has that kind of balance and technique that Messi possessed at a similar age and I don't think the idea of him becoming a Messi-quality player in the next 3 or 4 years is a farfetched concept. Bale on the other hand I reckon has perhaps a little bit more improvement to gain, but he's close to being the finished article already as far as fulfilling his potential goes and I can't see him ever reaching the kind of heights that justify an £80M price-tag.
Also, chiming in slightly belatedly into the Bale or Neymar argument. First of all I'm of the opinion Neymar is the better business, and not just because he cost half the price. He's far from the finished article right now (naturally) but he's already a game-winning quality player with plenty of improvement to be made. He's only played alongside and against the best South America's club football can offer, he's definitely going to improve alongside and against the best Europe has to offer. Additionally, I think he's at the kind of club that's going to suit his development perfectly. He already has that kind of balance and technique that Messi possessed at a similar age and I don't think the idea of him becoming a Messi-quality player in the next 3 or 4 years is a farfetched concept. Bale on the other hand I reckon has perhaps a little bit more improvement to gain, but he's close to being the finished article already as far as fulfilling his potential goes and I can't see him ever reaching the kind of heights that justify an £80M price-tag.
See, I genuinely believe Ronaldo and Messi are worth that (and perhaps more). Both can almost single-handedly win games even when they're up against and playing with teams full of stars. The amount of times I've seen Messi somehow drag Barcelona to a win when they look to be out of ideas (see vs. PSG last season for example) is amazing when you consider that he's playing in a team full of world class players - as for Ronaldo, that goals-to-game ratio for a player who isn't even an out-and-out striker is invaluable. Can you imagine a team like Arsenal with Ronaldo? They'd win the title every season in my opinion, the amount of goals he brings is just that influential. With the amount of money that's in football right now, having players like them who can practically function as "I win" buttons in a good 90% of the games they play in, them supplying trophies and wins adds to plenty to their values. Then you consider the merchandising and sponsorship prospects, as well as the harder to measure aspects like prestige and raising/maintaining the club's profile and I'd definitely say Ronaldo and Messi are worth that. But of course, that's just Ronaldo and Messi. As for Bale, I definitely don't think he's worth that. Certainly a fantastic player, and at times functioned like an "I win" button for Spurs last season, but he's nowhere near the same level as Ronaldo and Messi in being able to act like a one-man team. The easiest comparison to make is that he costs essentially to Ozils, and whilst I would rather have Bale than Ozil (another debate for another time), he certainly isn't worth twice as much as Ozil in my eyes.
Good win from Barcas side, I do think a 4-0 is a bit flattered.