Thursday, June 30, 2011
Neymar choses Madrid
According to espn.com, Santos's prized winger Neymar has chosen Real Madrid over Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Anzhi Makhachkala, to be his next club. Santos president Luis Alvaro would like Neymar to stay for another season, but has come to term with the fact that he will most likely lose the winger. "I would love for him to stay at least until december, when we meet barcelona for the club world cup final.," said Alvaro. Neymar reportedly said to Brazilian national team teammate Dani Alves that he "doesn't know anything about Barcelona," and that "he will play for Madrid next year."
AC Milan Home Kit 2011-2012
The new AC Milan home strips feature thinner red and black stripes, a white crew-neck collar, and white sleeve ends. The new addition of white does not stop there, as there are full sleeve white adidas stripes. The words Associazone Calcio Milan can be found on the back of the collar, with a red, white and green stripe underneath that. The shirt is made with ClimaCool technology, which prevents buildup of moisture and heat to keep the players cool. Below is Clarence Seedorf modeling the new home kit. The shorts are white, with black and red adidas stripes down the side and red and green highlights at the bottom hem of the shorts. Below is Clarence Seedorf modeling the new home kit.
No complaints here. The away kit is an better version of last years. I like the thinner stripes on this kit, and the white highlights give the shirt a very clean look that wasn't really there last year. The shorts and socks are very nice as well
Football Debate: Arguments for and against playoffs in European football leagues
For:
Everyone likes an underdog. Thats one reason why America has not embraced European soccer. In Europe, the league is generally won by a team from an elite group of around 3 teams, who rotate winning the league. Rarely does a team out of these elite few even come close to winning. For instance, when was the last time anyone except for Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal ever threatened for a title. Just imagine, the top 8 seeds make a playoff tournament, and scrappy Fulham upsets the mighty red devils. That would be absolutely incredible, and a great story to tell your kids. Sure, that could happen in the FA cup, but no one really cares so much about that. If Man U gets upset in cup play, they couldjust get back up and win the league, which is what actually matters the most. Imagine how that would be if a team could lose one game and automatically lose the premiership, regardless of how many points they have. Puts on a lot of pressure doesn't it? Another argument for playoffs, is that a team can only prove its the best by consistently winning under pressure. If Manchester United are really the best English team, they should breeze by all their opponents. Right? With playoffs, the best team is truly proven to be the best team by winning matches against other good teams, as opposed to beating on clubs like Wigan every other week to gain easy points. I still think that the top 4 from the regular season should qualify for the Champions league, but an additional 5th should be added if the winner of the playoffs did not finish in the top 4. Heres how the English Premier league playoff bracket would look in an 8 team playoff, with my predictions .
1) Man United Man United
8) Fulham -----------
Tottenham Man United
4) Man City ----------- -----------
5) Tottenham Man United
-----------
2) Chelsea Chelsea Arsenal
7) Everton ----------- -----------
Arsenal
3) Arsenal ------------
6) Liverpool
Manchester United still wins in the playoff scenario, but other teams would now have another way to catch up to them, as opposed to winning all of their games and hoping Man U lose a lot of theirs.
Against:
No! This is how it has been for years, and its working fine. Why would you fix something that is not broken? The team with the most points already proved that they are the best team by being the most consistent this season. What if they just happen to have an off day in the playoffs, and lose to a team who didn't even qualify for the Champs league. It just doesn't add up. Teams like Man U and Barcelona deserve the cup the most, and it would be outrageous for a team like Fulham or Everton to have OK seasons and still have a chance to win it all. In addition to all this, if there is a playoff format, all the Magic of the Champions League and other cup competitions will disappear. Upsets are a part of those competitions. We don't need to bring it into a league that already has a good system, just for a few thrills and good stories.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
5 Potential European stars that could join the New York Cosmos (if they become a team)
The New York Cosmos are back, and it is very possible that they will be slated to be the 20th MLS franchise. As it is very unlikely that a New York team will not have a single star, look for the Cosmos to sign an aging star in Europe to be what Thierry Henry is for the Red Bulls and David Beckham is for the Galaxy. Listed is the 5 most likely European Stars that the Cosmos will buy.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Ibra has expressed his desire to go to MLS when he ages, so when he gets up there, it is very likely that only a New York team will be able to afford his mega contract.
4. Raul Gonzalez - The Spaniard was linked to the Red Bulls last year before they signed Thierry Henry. Maybe he will be linked to another New York team once his Schalke days are over.
3. Kaka - A bit of a longshot here, but maybe Pele will be able to convince his fellow Brazilian to join the Cosmos if Kaka decides to play into his thirties.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - Also a long shot here, but Ronaldo has virtualy copied every single club David Beckham has been too, so a big market MLS club would be next for Ronaldo once he gets older. Ronaldo is also renown to love the states, so it might not be such a longshot after all.
1. Didier Drogba - Drogba's representatives have stated that an MLS move is possible, and with Drogba falling farther out from Chelsea every day now, it only makes sense that he will be the Cosmos number one target should they become a team.
Connor Whickham to Sunderland
Connor Whickham has recently passed his medical and is set to join the Black Cats from Ipswitch Town in a deal reported to be around 12 million pounds. The England under 21 international was long sought by numerous premier league teams, with Sunderland eventually winning the war for the youngsters signature.
25 Bold Predictions for world soccer in the 2011-2012 season
25. Robin Van Persie will wins the Premier League golden boot - Van Persie displayed stunning form this season, scoring 20 goals in 18 appearances. There is no reason why if he stays injury free, his form shouldn't carry on into next season.
24. Carlos Tevez will stays In Manchester City - Many times has he threatened to leave city. Has it happened yet? NO!! So why should it happen now?
23. Theo Walcott will switch to center forward to accommodate Gervinho - Walcott is not a stranger to this position and can play it if need be. Arsene Wenger will no doubt want to start both of them, and this may be his only option.
22. Malaga will qualify for the Europa League - The additions of Jeremy Toulalan and Ruud van Nistelrooy give Mallorca one of the best lineups in La Liga outside the big 4 (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia and Vilareal).
21. Tottenham will fail to qualify for any kind of European competition - With Modric and Bale most likely out and no one big coming in, Tottenham will fall down to seventh, with Everton taking the final Europa league spot.
20. Nigel De Jong will break someones leg... again - De Jong is a disaster in waiting every time he steps on the pitch.
19. All three promoted clubs in the premier league will survive - It almost happened this year, why shouldn't it eventually happen?
18. Barcelona will finally buy Fabregas for 40 Million, only for him to get injured in the first month of play - There is no real basis for this, but how funny would that be?
17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will win the golden boot for Serie A - Zlatan is mad talented and a born goalscorer. With Samuel Eto'o likely leaving for England, who better to win it than the giant Swede.
16. Wayne Rooney will get fined for swearing on live TV.... again - The guys got a mouth like a toilet.
15 - Kaka will find his AC Milan form - Wether its for Milan or Madrid, Kaka will be back and almost better than ever.
14. The three W teams in the Premier League, Wolves, Wigan and West Brom will get relegated - Wolves and Wigan are a relegation threat every year, and with Peter Odemwingie likely out, there isn't really anyone else on the Baggies roster roster who can score goals
13. Borussa Dortmund won't qualify for the Champions League - No one expected them to finish top 5 this year, and I don't see it happening again, especially after losing Nuri Sahin.
12. Ashley Young will take over Nani's starting spot in the middle of the season - Nani will make some stupid, game changing mistakes that forces Sir Alex to replace him with Young. Young will perform well on the big stage, and he will remain the permanent winger.
11. Gareth Bale will stay with Tottenham - Gareth thinks that maybe Tottenham will make the Champions League, and he will give them one more chance. But they wont, and he will go to Inter Milan next summer.
10. Shakhtar Donesk will make another surprising Champions League run - Provided they don't lose too many play makers, Shakhtar have the talent to go far.
9. AC Milan will win Serie A again - I dont see Inter Milan signing anyone talented enough to bring them back to the top.
8. Paris Saint Germaine will win the French league - PSG will sign one big name from a big club, and the loss of Gervinho will be too much for Lille to compete.
7. Bayern Munich will win the Bundesliga - This team is too talented to lose out in an average league. Last year was a flop, but next year won't be.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo will win the 2011 Balon D'or - In his defense, his stats are better than Messi's. Maybe FIFA will want to share out the award instead of giving it to Messi for the third year in a row.
5. Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League - The addition of Henderson boosts their midfield and a forward line of Suarez and a healthy Carrol scares me. Liverpool make it over Chelsea.
4. Barcelona will win La Liga for the fourth year in a row, but Real Madrid will come within 5 points of them - As Barcelona ages, Real Madrid stays young. Expect Real Madrid to win the league in 2 years.
3. Arsenal will wins the Premier league - Wenger actually signs some good, non French targets, and Arsenal strengthens their squad enough to catch Chelsea and Manchester United
2. Spain will win Euro 2012 - Spain has by far the most dominant European team, and they wont even be challenged until Xavi gets old
1. Real Madrid will win the Champions League - Barcelona will get upset in an earlier round, and Real will never have to face their old nemesis's. Being the Second best club in the world, no one will take them down once Barcelona gets out.
24. Carlos Tevez will stays In Manchester City - Many times has he threatened to leave city. Has it happened yet? NO!! So why should it happen now?
23. Theo Walcott will switch to center forward to accommodate Gervinho - Walcott is not a stranger to this position and can play it if need be. Arsene Wenger will no doubt want to start both of them, and this may be his only option.
22. Malaga will qualify for the Europa League - The additions of Jeremy Toulalan and Ruud van Nistelrooy give Mallorca one of the best lineups in La Liga outside the big 4 (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia and Vilareal).
21. Tottenham will fail to qualify for any kind of European competition - With Modric and Bale most likely out and no one big coming in, Tottenham will fall down to seventh, with Everton taking the final Europa league spot.
20. Nigel De Jong will break someones leg... again - De Jong is a disaster in waiting every time he steps on the pitch.
19. All three promoted clubs in the premier league will survive - It almost happened this year, why shouldn't it eventually happen?
18. Barcelona will finally buy Fabregas for 40 Million, only for him to get injured in the first month of play - There is no real basis for this, but how funny would that be?
17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will win the golden boot for Serie A - Zlatan is mad talented and a born goalscorer. With Samuel Eto'o likely leaving for England, who better to win it than the giant Swede.
16. Wayne Rooney will get fined for swearing on live TV.... again - The guys got a mouth like a toilet.
15 - Kaka will find his AC Milan form - Wether its for Milan or Madrid, Kaka will be back and almost better than ever.
14. The three W teams in the Premier League, Wolves, Wigan and West Brom will get relegated - Wolves and Wigan are a relegation threat every year, and with Peter Odemwingie likely out, there isn't really anyone else on the Baggies roster roster who can score goals
13. Borussa Dortmund won't qualify for the Champions League - No one expected them to finish top 5 this year, and I don't see it happening again, especially after losing Nuri Sahin.
12. Ashley Young will take over Nani's starting spot in the middle of the season - Nani will make some stupid, game changing mistakes that forces Sir Alex to replace him with Young. Young will perform well on the big stage, and he will remain the permanent winger.
11. Gareth Bale will stay with Tottenham - Gareth thinks that maybe Tottenham will make the Champions League, and he will give them one more chance. But they wont, and he will go to Inter Milan next summer.
10. Shakhtar Donesk will make another surprising Champions League run - Provided they don't lose too many play makers, Shakhtar have the talent to go far.
9. AC Milan will win Serie A again - I dont see Inter Milan signing anyone talented enough to bring them back to the top.
8. Paris Saint Germaine will win the French league - PSG will sign one big name from a big club, and the loss of Gervinho will be too much for Lille to compete.
7. Bayern Munich will win the Bundesliga - This team is too talented to lose out in an average league. Last year was a flop, but next year won't be.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo will win the 2011 Balon D'or - In his defense, his stats are better than Messi's. Maybe FIFA will want to share out the award instead of giving it to Messi for the third year in a row.
5. Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League - The addition of Henderson boosts their midfield and a forward line of Suarez and a healthy Carrol scares me. Liverpool make it over Chelsea.
4. Barcelona will win La Liga for the fourth year in a row, but Real Madrid will come within 5 points of them - As Barcelona ages, Real Madrid stays young. Expect Real Madrid to win the league in 2 years.
3. Arsenal will wins the Premier league - Wenger actually signs some good, non French targets, and Arsenal strengthens their squad enough to catch Chelsea and Manchester United
2. Spain will win Euro 2012 - Spain has by far the most dominant European team, and they wont even be challenged until Xavi gets old
1. Real Madrid will win the Champions League - Barcelona will get upset in an earlier round, and Real will never have to face their old nemesis's. Being the Second best club in the world, no one will take them down once Barcelona gets out.
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