I just got home. I probably should be doing other things. BUT LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR US TO NOT CONVENE AND DISCUSS THE ENGLAND-NETHERLANDS GAME IN A THIRD-TIER INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT DAYS AFTER THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL. Let’s do it!
FDJ's completed 92 passes -- no one else is above 74. He's also got five tackles -- tied for the most -- and three interceptions --second-most. Pirlo might be right ...
All right -- I gotta run (and finish writing tomorrow's newsletter). This was a lotta fun; love what I'm seeing in here. You guys are great. Prediction for the final: NED > POR, Memphis scores the winner.
OK, I'm gonna keep talking about Memphis. Give me a guy who takes 7 shots and creates 4 chances but doesn't score over the guy who just never gets in those positions in the first place.
Thanks for the article! Taking away nothing away from him, he's amazing. He's definitely finishing his xG chances at a higher level than in the past. I remember his xG being slightly higher than his G for his first 2 seasons for Man City:
Memphis has more shots and more key passes (passes that lead to a shot) than anyone else on the field. He hasn't played "well", but also on another night he already has an assist and a goal.
I'm a new soccer fan (started during last years World Cup) and I just finished reading your chat from yesterday (I have a lot of free time) can someone explain to me what Euros are? Are they every year? When is it?
European Championships. They play them every four years and they are the even years that don't have a world cup. Quality of play is better than the world cup. They're wonderful.
What'd I'll say about that goal: There's a big downside to ceding so much possession even if you play well defensively. You're more likely to give up a free kick/corner, and well, sometimes those go in!
That long switch to the right wing is on for the Dutch. They just can't get the pass out there or can't get enough numbers over to that side of the field to create an overload when they do.
Do you know that as a young player Van Dijk nearly killed himself by eating too much fast food? If you haven't already, break out the salads guys. Be all you can be!
I've been thinking about this recently, with all the talk of these young players potentially breaking into the LFC team. VVD wasn't really even good enough to play for Liverpool until he was 25!
Funny story, Frenkie and VVD both are from the Willem II youth academy, a bare average eredivisie team. And they both left cause they didn't get any play time
Understat.com is xG info for the Top Five leagues. Whoscored.com has most other stats. Fbref.com is great for goals+assist numbers. And the Stats Zone and Total Football apps are both great. I can give you a code to download the TF app for free, if you'd like.
Ian Darke with some great stuff: "Gareth Southgate, trying hard to look philosophical"
Stones is the new De Ligt.
FDJ's completed 92 passes -- no one else is above 74. He's also got five tackles -- tied for the most -- and three interceptions --second-most. Pirlo might be right ...
His composure with the ball, always waiting for the very right moment to pass, is honestly Xavi level.
But Barca will have him play the Cup/bench role because Busquets plays holding
He's also so much more athletic than Xavi. The defensive part of his game might the most impressive part, too!
Back in. De Ligt > Maldini.
I like the de Ligt is trash take better. Hope Barca, Juve etc. only watched the first half.
The real question is De Roon > De Rossi?
Sancho just megged De Ligt. Ajax should pay someone to take him off their hands at this point.
Ă–zil for De Ligt straight up, who says no?
Arsenal.
NEED TO SUB IN TIM KRUL HERE!
De Ligt is washed. Out on him.
True, should just stay with Ajax
Looks like a perfect replacement for Alberto Moreno!
All right -- I gotta run (and finish writing tomorrow's newsletter). This was a lotta fun; love what I'm seeing in here. You guys are great. Prediction for the final: NED > POR, Memphis scores the winner.
Maguire, Walker, and Stones have all made mistakes that led to a shot. Not ideal when you're a defensive-oriented team.
Do you think it's got to do with the relatively long break since they last played?
They're all pretty error-prone players. Probably a combo of the Dutch pressing high up (not common in int'l games) and randomness.
Erm, avant-garde?
OK, I'm gonna keep talking about Memphis. Give me a guy who takes 7 shots and creates 4 chances but doesn't score over the guy who just never gets in those positions in the first place.
We talking about Depay or Sterling?
Depay is the new Sterling.
Ha, fair. Sterling had similar issues until this season.
This is not true. My understanding on Sterling, IIRC, is that he was largely finishing at his xG. He just went supernova this year.
Here is a great piece from Mike Goodman about it https://statsbomb.com/2018/07/raheem-sterling-is-good-at-scoring-goals/
Thanks for the article! Taking away nothing away from him, he's amazing. He's definitely finishing his xG chances at a higher level than in the past. I remember his xG being slightly higher than his G for his first 2 seasons for Man City:
https://understat.com/player/618
Memphis has more shots and more key passes (passes that lead to a shot) than anyone else on the field. He hasn't played "well", but also on another night he already has an assist and a goal.
Depay or Zaha? Both United flops...
VAR + VVD = undefeated
Virgil Var Dijk
I love Van De Beek -- he's always a problem for the other team.
He, Frenkie and Nouri formed the midfield for Ajax's 2nd team. Nouri was widely considered the best of the three. What could have been...
POLL: Would you rather have ...
A) De Ligt
OR
B) Messi
C) Lucas Leiva
Messi never gets nutmegged. Half the Spurs side has megged de Ligt. In my eyes he's soiled goods.
https://youtu.be/xfXQYlrfCDI
Part 1....
It's not official until James Milner does it. Then the world will end.
Amen!
So, uh, England don't have a single shot from open play ...
POLL: Who would you rather have?
A) De Ligt
B) Mustafi
You guys did not disappoint me here.
G) Å krtel
C) Jones/Smalling
F) Squillaci
E) Richard Dunne
D) Klavan
Southgate packed in a lot of Churchill there. I could tell. Nice.
Will England make it beyond the semifinals ever again?
Eventually. But the cup didn't come home last summer and will not be coming home this Sunday. It's like the cup is ok being "away from home"
If an asteroid strike hits the other team in the semi do you get a bye or replay?
In the Nations League or World Cup?
They've got such a big football culture that eventually the stars will align for them
Kane took two shots. Good for him.
Loved the announcers praising his off-target, turnaround shot from 20 yards out.
As soon as England start trying to attack again, the Netherlands create a great chance in the center of the box. Probably not a coincidence.
Sterling had eight touches in the first half. No other outfield player had fewer than 16. He's England's best player -- not ideal!
As a proud Colombian and Spurs fan, being able to hate-root against this england team with no spurs in the starting 11 is very tasty
I'm with you on this one. Additionally, it's against the Netherlands which I've always been a fan of, so seeing England fail will be twice as sweet!
i’m a proud colombian who’s a liverpool fan so rooting for the dutch is easy LOL
You three should start a support group.
for our inevitable gut wrenching loss to brazil in the semifinals of the copa america? yes i agree
At this point, I wont be surprised if we lose to Qatar in the group stage
Have faith Pibe. Queiroz is the man to lead us consistently to almost glory
I'm a new soccer fan (started during last years World Cup) and I just finished reading your chat from yesterday (I have a lot of free time) can someone explain to me what Euros are? Are they every year? When is it?
European Championships. They play them every four years and they are the even years that don't have a world cup. Quality of play is better than the world cup. They're wonderful.
Thank you! That sounds awesome!
welcome aboard!
De Ligt = suddenly best player on the pitch. I guess his Monster energy drink kicked in.
Ozil for De Ligt Straight up who says no?
After years of players like Vlaar, Martins Indi & Bruma. We now have de Ligt en VVD as our Cv's. Got a starter from Internazionale on the bench.
Unfortunately it's offset by years of rvp, robben and sneijder replaced by Ryan babel
Yes true :( We gotta forget about Cruijff, and hire Mourinho I guess
The Netherlands have 13 shots on target. England have 3. Also not ideal.
Fewer shots, worse shot accuracy, less possession, worse pass accuracy...not a great showing.
Daryl Morey shouted SEE! when he saw that goal.
What'd I'll say about that goal: There's a big downside to ceding so much possession even if you play well defensively. You're more likely to give up a free kick/corner, and well, sometimes those go in!
Ton of slick possession for the Netherlands -- very little in the way of chances on goal or penetrative passing, though.
They need a constant presence in the box, someone who can draw the marking from Stones or MAGuire. Luuk De Jong perhaps?
The flirts.
That long switch to the right wing is on for the Dutch. They just can't get the pass out there or can't get enough numbers over to that side of the field to create an overload when they do.
Over/under on shots for Harry Kane? 0.5?
Over. Always over.
Love that pen from Rashford. He normally just pummels the ball; mixed it up there.
What is the deal with Harry Kane and Ben Chilwell? Their hair!
I just got home and missed the first 15 minutes. Anything interesting happen?
Eh not really apart from Depay messing up two touches in a row and a close sterling chance
depay blowing chances :/
Nope!
Hold on... Does Southgate have a waistcoat on under that jumper?
United will sign VAR for £125m.
He was their MVP this season!
I'm still a bit shocked that the Nations League is...interesting.
Far better than the CL final. Maybe they just needed another week off!
Do you know that as a young player Van Dijk nearly killed himself by eating too much fast food? If you haven't already, break out the salads guys. Be all you can be!
I've been thinking about this recently, with all the talk of these young players potentially breaking into the LFC team. VVD wasn't really even good enough to play for Liverpool until he was 25!
Wasn't he cumitively at Celtic and Southampton for like 5 years? Surely some scouts committed hari-kari quantum leap in performance or not.
Funny story, Frenkie and VVD both are from the Willem II youth academy, a bare average eredivisie team. And they both left cause they didn't get any play time
No way Phil Jones gives up that pen there... aka rashford scores
That'll do. Football ramble gonna be depressing tomorrow.
yea that was an OG
John Stones vs De Ligt
Typical Memphis- it was harder to miss that sitter than score it
Not really related to the game, but is there any website to get xG and other data for free?
Understat.com is xG info for the Top Five leagues. Whoscored.com has most other stats. Fbref.com is great for goals+assist numbers. And the Stats Zone and Total Football apps are both great. I can give you a code to download the TF app for free, if you'd like.
Do you still have one for TF?
That would be great! Thanks
email me and I'll get ya one
Yes, please. If it is multi use or if you have multiple
shoot me an email if you want one. I have a couple.
Understat is good for xG tables and game xG. @Caley_graphics on twitter is good too for shot maps
Crikey. Had no idea Neymar's crocked again. The Champions league quarter final isn't for ages. He can't even time his injuries right anymore. #Decline
England should pull up Foden over the course of the next year
Why is Van Dijk being boo'ed?
https://anfieldindex.com/35071/republic-of-liverpool-were-not-english-we-are-scouse.html
It's really strange i thought he was really well liked in England. This is the only thing I could think of https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9232259/virgil-van-dijk-harry-kane-fit-nations-league/
TAA OVER WALKER!
Of course!
I can’t understand why he didn’t start. Even if it was because the CH Final just a few days go... Wijnaldum and Vin Dijk are playing
Southgate knows all!
Ronaldo's tournament to lose...
Needs Eder.
Portuguese Origi...
If Eder and HiguaĂn had somehow swapped places, the idea that Messi-Ronaldo is a debate would look even more absurd than it already is.
We have JoĂ£o FĂ©lix