23/24 International Club Football Thread

[devo22]

It sounds a bit similar as to when lots of players went to China for huge salaries a few years ago, only to find out that after a few months, they simply weren't paid anymore. Not saying that is happening here, but I have no doubts that these players were promised the moon for them to come to Saudi Arabia, and once the ink on the contracts had dried, some of those promises went right out of the window. But such is life if you sell your soul, and their whining about it makes it all the more hilarious.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

It sounds a bit similar as to when lots of players went to China for huge salaries a few years ago, only to find out that after a few months, they simply weren't paid anymore. Not saying that is happening here, but I have no doubts that these players were promised the moon for them to come to Saudi Arabia, and once the ink on the contracts had dried, some of those promises went right out of the window. But so is life if you sell your soul.

This is partly the thing, I get where Laporte is coming from.

Europe just has so much more experience when it comes to 'treating footballers.'

Now...thats not to say that some of these guys are absolute Divas and its ridiculous.

My impression is that the Saudis dont do all of that 'extras.'

Well no. They're paying you a lot. You have to figure all that crap out for yourself. They dont have Team 'Handlers' to find people to do all this stuff for you. Thats the risk you take when...as Devo mentioned, you sold your soul.

[browna]

Yeah my guess is things like as the team training complex, and things such lounge for WAGs, team cafeteria, physio staff and doctors, and all those nicieites that Euro players had with their top tier clubs and expect to have at a place that's got so much money to be paying them a salary more than they've made in many years, is missing.

Instead the top top guys like Ronaldo have a couple cooks and handlers and private airplanes and driver for him specifically while at home and while on team activiites, while the Saudi nationals have none of that, and the families themselves are basic, and the middle to upper level guys like Henderson, have some of that but not all of that, nor to the extent they are used to and expecting. And crowds and atmosphere isn't the same.

Henderson specifically, I think it was his conscience more than anything to push him back at least to the continent.

[Slava]

Maybe Kane needs to leave Bayern to win trophies?

[devo22]

have to wonder how long Xavi has left as Barcelona coach. Lost in the cup to Bilbao on Wednesday, and today it's a 5-3 loss at home to Villareal (after first being down 2-0, then up 3-2). Ten points behind Real, 8 behind Girona.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

have to wonder how long Xavi has left as Barcelona coach. Lost in the cup to Bilbao on Wednesday, and today it's a 5-3 loss at home to Villareal (after first being down 2-0, then up 3-2). Ten points behind Real, 8 behind Girona.

You kind of have to feel for him. He was given a relatively impossible task. They only asked him to do it because his name would still but asses in seats and Barca are effectively broke.

[devo22]

aaaaand he's gone (in June).

https://twitter.com/user/status/1751350678889398311

[browna]

Shocking: Ronaldo pulls out of match with Messi tomorrow/today.
Given the reception Messi got last game a couple days ago in Saudi, have to think that Ronaldo doesn't want to be upstaged on "home" turf.

[devo22]

you really have to laugh at the clowns at Barcelona and Real when it comes to their Super League idea ... latest highlight was Laporta listing 15-16 clubs who were apparently super interested joining them for their project: Inter, AC Milan, Roma, Napoli, Sporting, Benfica, Porto, Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord, Marseille, Bruges and Anderlecht.

Cue the Yakety Sax ...

Following Laporta’s statements, AS Roma have issued an official statement clarifying that they do not want to have anything to do with the Super League project.

Now, three more clubs – Ajax, Feyenoord, and Olympique Marseille, have come forward and made their stance clear about the Super League, denying Laporta’s version about them being open to joining the project.

Starting off, the Ajax Supporters Association issued a statement after consulting with the club on the matter, insisting that the claims made by Laporta were ‘unjustified’ and came as a surprise. “Inquiries at the club reveal that Ajax never discussed this with Laporta, let alone agreed. Ajax is completely surprised by this unjustified claim.”

Ajax’s fellow Eredivisie side, Feyenoord, also issued a statement, branding the comments as ‘total nonsense’. “Feyenoord is very surprised by reports in international media that the club has agreed to participate in the so-called Super League. This is total nonsense.”

Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille have also clarified their stance with a statement that read (h/t RMC Sport): “Pablo Longoria already spoke publicly on December 21, and the club’s position has not changed.”

https://onefootball.com/de/news/ajax...ement-38983458

https://twitter.com/user/status/1753531447829295567

and so on and so forth.

[Locke]

LaLiga said Friday that it will look into a complaint filed by Getafe that Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham allegedly called Getafe forward Mason Greenwood a "rapist" during a game.

The incident allegedly occurred during Madrid's 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER originally reported the complaint by Getafe. The league confirmed the complaint to The Associated Press and said that it will use a lip-reading service to determine what happened and then decide how to proceed.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...gham-complaint

This should be interesting.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...gham-complaint

This should be interesting.

So weird. What’s there to investigate? You abuse a woman and guys are definitely going to trash talk you about it. I’m sure that this has happened with Partey in the PL, and it’s completely expected.

[devo22]

La Liga has been turning a blind eye for years when it comes to racism, but this is a problem? Telling.

[Bagor]

"This is the biggest signing in the K League's history," said South Korean football journalist Sungmo Lee.

"Most fans were very surprised when they heard this for the first time but they are very happy to have him in K League."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68240046

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Leverkusen making a statement in the Bundesliga! They were never uncomfortable and made it all look so easy

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Leverkusen making a statement in the Bundesliga! They were never uncomfortable and made it all look so easy

Alonso done wonders

[Locke]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Alonso done wonders

And now Liverpool must steal him to replace Klopp.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Bayern really missed Davies as they had no one supplying any width on either side. No idea what Sane was doing most of the match. They tried playing through a very congested middle and got nowhere. Neuer off a corner had the best scoring opportunity for Bayern…

[cheevers]

Wonder how much rope Tuchal has left. Just an abysmal appointment and the failure looks really good on them.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cheevers

Wonder how much rope Tuchal has left. Just an abysmal appointment and the failure looks really good on them.

I dont know how Tuchel still keeps getting work. Has he succeeded anywhere?

But when Klopp leaves Liverpool, if he takes the Bayern job? I dont know I'd feel about that.

If he takes Germany? Fine. But to leave Liverpool for Bayern...that might hurt.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Tuchel has to be done