Let’s try something new today. This is an open thread for all subscribers; feel free to share all of your needs, wants, desires, opinions about Jill Ellis, deepest fears regarding the coming VAR revolution that will somehow, inevitably, end with Howard Schultz ruling the world, and etc. I’ll pop in and out, here and there, but please feel free to keep the discussion going without me. Or don’t. This is an experiment!
I love the AWB signing for United. They probably have to overpay big time to attract guys from teams that are already in the CL. So, grabbing the best players from lower down the table is the move. Also, upgrading the worst player in your XI typically makes teams a lot better! Listen, I wouldn't trust United's hierarchy to run my local futsal team, but I also think they'll probably finish top 4 next year (if they don't, uh, get rid of their one good midfielder). For those curious, here's how the AWB deal matches up as a percentage of revenue to the club's other moves for defenders: https://twitter.com/bojochris/status/1143873442942525442
New handball/foul in the box rule: If the foul is determined to be not intentional or the player and the ball/player was not moving towards the goal, a penalty kick will be taken from the spot of the foul. For example, a player takes a big touch towards the touch line and gets bumped and falls over, the ball was nowhere near going in the goal, let him take a shot or free kick from the spot of the foul, team's choice. Fouls at the edge of the box when the player wasn't looking to shoot wouldn't be automatic goals, when mane kicks the ball into your hand thats just sitting there, penalty from that spot
Obviously she converted two crucial penalties in the match against Spain, but is it safe to say that Megan Rapinoe isn't among USWNT's four best attacking players at the moment?
It's really hard to justify starting her against France when she was so unable to maintain possession against the Spanish press.
Even if the U.S. gets past France on Friday and goes on to repeat as World Cup champions, I think we'll look back on this tournament as the last one in which the U.S. was seen as a dominant force in women's soccer. With the resources, both in terms of money and coaching / facilities, being devoted to leagues in England, Italy, and especially Spain with Real Madrid coming on board, Europe is about to dominate the women's game just as it does the men's game. Thoughts?
Arsenal are better off selling one of Auba or Laca if it means they can afford quality replacements for Mustafi, Xhaka, and Monreal next season. They need to replace at least 2 of those 3. Change my mind.
How do we deal with handballs going forward? It's become such a 'decider' in big matches...just messes up the flow of the game and creates situations where the better team does not win. My thought is they should be indirect free kicks inside the box as opposed. I feel the same about penalties where the attacker is not even facing the goal and it's not an actual scoring chance (e.g. US's second goal against Spain the other day). Those should be indirect free kicks instead of penalties. Thoughts from everyone?
Now that United have addressed one of their glaring holes with Wan-Bissaka, where should they be looking next. I thought Ndombele would've been perfect next to Pogba, but alas. Seems there needs to be a DM who can actually move, a CB, and another CM who can do some of the dirty work like Herrara (why they let him go when he should've been the Captain I will never understand).
Wolves, Everton and Leicester all have very strong squads. Even Aston Villa looks great. Man U is continuing the mediocrity and Arsenal seem to think signing nothing but attackers is a good idea, and Chelsea has the transfer ban over their head. Is it realistic to think that one of the clubs outside the traditional powers can grab one of the Champions League spots?
I'm an Everton fan and after signing Andre Gomes permanently, I now genuinely believe that the rest of our pre-season should be spent trying to find players of a similar handsome-calibre. Who should we go after?
Is Neymar an undercover agent, with the sole mission of pushing the European soccer financial models to their absolute extremes? Maybe his mind is being remotely controlled.
Genuinely concerned Manchester United finish behind Everton or Wolves next season. If Pogba and Lukaku both leave, where are the goals coming from? Lukaku was not the model of consistency but losing both of them would be devastating - we could replace those players but would that make the squad any better than Everton's or Wolves? I think not.
Also, say Ole has the team in 6th or 7th around October and we lose the match against Liverpool on the October 19th. Given the current leadership at the club, it is not wildly unrealistic they sack him. I think the fans, including myself, would be upset by this decision and want to see Ole given at least two seasons. But I would not rule out an early sacking.
Messi complaining about Conmebol supposedly favoring Brazil is a great reminder of how far from Argentina he actually is. Ask any latin-american fan about which teams seem to be favored on the Libertadores and I think there is a good chance they'll say they're from Argentina. Regardless, not trying to start controversy, just something that yet again points to how he is an international icon, not much an Argentinian one, like Maradona was.
You wrote in your latest newsletter that you think VAR helps stronger teams because they’re in the box more often and get VAR contentious decisions. On the contrary, I think VAR favours smaller teams since bigger teams regularly get decisions that favour them, perhaps because of subconscious bias or because they’re in the box more, and VAR would be able to reverse those incorrect calls. Regardless, VAR has been an utter mess at the WC.
Obscure MLS thought: what's the history and/or perception of a "man-marking" system? I am in San Jose, CA and everyone is (rightfully) buzzing about Matias Almeyda's new approach. It is super evident that this team is playing with more way more verve (Wondo! Yuiell! Lima!) this year, but Bob Bradley also just came out after a tight US open clash last week and threw a bunch of shade towards our "style of football."
I still can't figure out how Spurs are the team who are seemingly going to win the Ndombele sweepstakes. Dude's gonna be the best midfielder in the league within 2 seasons.
What's the scenario where VAR just gets scrapped entirely? replay in other sports has only gotten more banal and mored in minutae as time has gone on - i'm dreading the reviewable pass interference calls in the NFL. There doesn't seem to be a precedent for a sport adopting a technology and then deciding to just dump it entirely.
Why is Barcelona breaking my heart? Letting both Madrid teams load up while they practically do nothing (okay I know adding De Jong isn't nothing, but as a whole it feels lackluster to what Atletico and especially Real is doing). And I don't even want to discuss the fact thay want to spend 100M plus a player for a guy who broke my heart already and has sexual assault allegations!
As a Chelsea fan, I have no idea how to react to the upcoming Lampard hire. The optimist in me thinks he'll be great because he was a great player and did well at Derby, but the realist in me thinks he's in over his head and he'll last only a few months. Thoughts?
What the heck is up with all this Neymar back to Barcelona stuff? Does he really want to leave? If he does, what’s the point of PSG keeping him? Can Barcelona even afford him? Surely, PSG wouldn't anything less than the €222mil they paid for him, no? Theoretically, PSG could use the money to better round out their squad, and hope to find their own Van Dijk and Allison like Liverpool did (unlikely) with their Coutinho money
All of you are at least mildly interested in tactical strategy, if you're here, and the question of how to line up next year is DESTROYING Madrid Twitter right now. Assuming Hazard/Vinicius/Jovic/Benz/Bale/Asensio/Vazquez stay in the team, and the midfield and defense stay more or less intact, what formation and lineup does Zidane roll out, and in what kind of system?
Drop Casemiro to the bench? Two strikers? Vinicius on the right?
Thoughts on Alex Morgan as a CF? I've always thought her best position was as a second striker, but she hasn't played there in a while and obviously still scores tons of goals. But watching her attempt to link play, run off the ball...not great.
Is Donnie Kwak ever going to eat the cleat?
I love the AWB signing for United. They probably have to overpay big time to attract guys from teams that are already in the CL. So, grabbing the best players from lower down the table is the move. Also, upgrading the worst player in your XI typically makes teams a lot better! Listen, I wouldn't trust United's hierarchy to run my local futsal team, but I also think they'll probably finish top 4 next year (if they don't, uh, get rid of their one good midfielder). For those curious, here's how the AWB deal matches up as a percentage of revenue to the club's other moves for defenders: https://twitter.com/bojochris/status/1143873442942525442
So is Rapinoe going to the White House or nah?
OK, I'm seeing a lot of distress in here. So, on a scale of 1-10, how mad/not-mad are you guys with the offseasons of your favorite teams so far?
Loving the comments and questions. Here's why Arsenal won't spend any money despite, you know, having a lot of money: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-takeover-stan-kroenke-ruined-st-louis-los-angeles-rams-usmanov/
New handball/foul in the box rule: If the foul is determined to be not intentional or the player and the ball/player was not moving towards the goal, a penalty kick will be taken from the spot of the foul. For example, a player takes a big touch towards the touch line and gets bumped and falls over, the ball was nowhere near going in the goal, let him take a shot or free kick from the spot of the foul, team's choice. Fouls at the edge of the box when the player wasn't looking to shoot wouldn't be automatic goals, when mane kicks the ball into your hand thats just sitting there, penalty from that spot
How did Sunderland not get promoted back to Championship.... le sigh
Obviously she converted two crucial penalties in the match against Spain, but is it safe to say that Megan Rapinoe isn't among USWNT's four best attacking players at the moment?
It's really hard to justify starting her against France when she was so unable to maintain possession against the Spanish press.
Depressed today-- Ndombele is the type of player we (gooners) would of signed 6-7 years ago, now Spurs has him. Big time talent.
Even if the U.S. gets past France on Friday and goes on to repeat as World Cup champions, I think we'll look back on this tournament as the last one in which the U.S. was seen as a dominant force in women's soccer. With the resources, both in terms of money and coaching / facilities, being devoted to leagues in England, Italy, and especially Spain with Real Madrid coming on board, Europe is about to dominate the women's game just as it does the men's game. Thoughts?
When will VAR be in FIFA?
Arsenal are better off selling one of Auba or Laca if it means they can afford quality replacements for Mustafi, Xhaka, and Monreal next season. They need to replace at least 2 of those 3. Change my mind.
Really hate Neymar and Mbappe rumors every summer. One of the worst parts of supporting PSG.
How do we deal with handballs going forward? It's become such a 'decider' in big matches...just messes up the flow of the game and creates situations where the better team does not win. My thought is they should be indirect free kicks inside the box as opposed. I feel the same about penalties where the attacker is not even facing the goal and it's not an actual scoring chance (e.g. US's second goal against Spain the other day). Those should be indirect free kicks instead of penalties. Thoughts from everyone?
Now that United have addressed one of their glaring holes with Wan-Bissaka, where should they be looking next. I thought Ndombele would've been perfect next to Pogba, but alas. Seems there needs to be a DM who can actually move, a CB, and another CM who can do some of the dirty work like Herrara (why they let him go when he should've been the Captain I will never understand).
Wolves, Everton and Leicester all have very strong squads. Even Aston Villa looks great. Man U is continuing the mediocrity and Arsenal seem to think signing nothing but attackers is a good idea, and Chelsea has the transfer ban over their head. Is it realistic to think that one of the clubs outside the traditional powers can grab one of the Champions League spots?
I'm an Everton fan and after signing Andre Gomes permanently, I now genuinely believe that the rest of our pre-season should be spent trying to find players of a similar handsome-calibre. Who should we go after?
Is Neymar an undercover agent, with the sole mission of pushing the European soccer financial models to their absolute extremes? Maybe his mind is being remotely controlled.
Genuinely concerned Manchester United finish behind Everton or Wolves next season. If Pogba and Lukaku both leave, where are the goals coming from? Lukaku was not the model of consistency but losing both of them would be devastating - we could replace those players but would that make the squad any better than Everton's or Wolves? I think not.
Also, say Ole has the team in 6th or 7th around October and we lose the match against Liverpool on the October 19th. Given the current leadership at the club, it is not wildly unrealistic they sack him. I think the fans, including myself, would be upset by this decision and want to see Ole given at least two seasons. But I would not rule out an early sacking.
how can Arsenal claim to have such little financial muscle, its infuriating
Liverpool will not sign a single player #teamnosignings
How does Maurizio Sarri line up this Juventus team? And how soon will we hear from Veronique Rabiot about it?
Messi complaining about Conmebol supposedly favoring Brazil is a great reminder of how far from Argentina he actually is. Ask any latin-american fan about which teams seem to be favored on the Libertadores and I think there is a good chance they'll say they're from Argentina. Regardless, not trying to start controversy, just something that yet again points to how he is an international icon, not much an Argentinian one, like Maradona was.
You wrote in your latest newsletter that you think VAR helps stronger teams because they’re in the box more often and get VAR contentious decisions. On the contrary, I think VAR favours smaller teams since bigger teams regularly get decisions that favour them, perhaps because of subconscious bias or because they’re in the box more, and VAR would be able to reverse those incorrect calls. Regardless, VAR has been an utter mess at the WC.
Does a narrow 4-4-2 or a back 3 with Ertz dropping back work better for the US? It seems like their midfield is the strongest part of the team.
In France, I saw a guy with "Shea" as in Brek written on the back. How embarrassing is that, 1-10?
Obscure MLS thought: what's the history and/or perception of a "man-marking" system? I am in San Jose, CA and everyone is (rightfully) buzzing about Matias Almeyda's new approach. It is super evident that this team is playing with more way more verve (Wondo! Yuiell! Lima!) this year, but Bob Bradley also just came out after a tight US open clash last week and threw a bunch of shade towards our "style of football."
Name me the sexiest women football players. The sexiest as you understand this, not the closest to so called beauty standarts
I still can't figure out how Spurs are the team who are seemingly going to win the Ndombele sweepstakes. Dude's gonna be the best midfielder in the league within 2 seasons.
What's the scenario where VAR just gets scrapped entirely? replay in other sports has only gotten more banal and mored in minutae as time has gone on - i'm dreading the reviewable pass interference calls in the NFL. There doesn't seem to be a precedent for a sport adopting a technology and then deciding to just dump it entirely.
What does Newcastle do now that Rafa is gone (other than prepare for relegation)?
Can the powers to be in the EPL force Ashley to sell? Sometimes it sucks to be a Newcastle fan.
Why is Barcelona breaking my heart? Letting both Madrid teams load up while they practically do nothing (okay I know adding De Jong isn't nothing, but as a whole it feels lackluster to what Atletico and especially Real is doing). And I don't even want to discuss the fact thay want to spend 100M plus a player for a guy who broke my heart already and has sexual assault allegations!
What does it take to bounce back from relegation to the Championship?
Neymar. Discuss.
As a Chelsea fan, I have no idea how to react to the upcoming Lampard hire. The optimist in me thinks he'll be great because he was a great player and did well at Derby, but the realist in me thinks he's in over his head and he'll last only a few months. Thoughts?
What the heck is up with all this Neymar back to Barcelona stuff? Does he really want to leave? If he does, what’s the point of PSG keeping him? Can Barcelona even afford him? Surely, PSG wouldn't anything less than the €222mil they paid for him, no? Theoretically, PSG could use the money to better round out their squad, and hope to find their own Van Dijk and Allison like Liverpool did (unlikely) with their Coutinho money
What’s the right way to react to the Cameroon-England VAR debacle? Just blame FIFA and move on?
Does TAA eventually end up in liverpool’s Midfield? If so, when?
Is Ndombele the Eriksen of Pogba's? I'll hang up and listen
All of you are at least mildly interested in tactical strategy, if you're here, and the question of how to line up next year is DESTROYING Madrid Twitter right now. Assuming Hazard/Vinicius/Jovic/Benz/Bale/Asensio/Vazquez stay in the team, and the midfield and defense stay more or less intact, what formation and lineup does Zidane roll out, and in what kind of system?
Drop Casemiro to the bench? Two strikers? Vinicius on the right?
How creative can you get?
What tactical approach is best suited for Real Madrid upcoming season? formation and overall idea. also what players should they buy in your opinion
Thoughts on Alex Morgan as a CF? I've always thought her best position was as a second striker, but she hasn't played there in a while and obviously still scores tons of goals. But watching her attempt to link play, run off the ball...not great.