Non United transfer thread

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

He'll move onto Italy, he wants to be recognised as the best ever and will want to win all major honours at various clubs.

Him and Mourinho are two @#%&!ish peas in a @#%&!y pod

Originally Posted by JakeB

Him and Mourinho are two @#%&!ish peas in a @#%&!y pod

Oe two ambitious peas in a pod?

Originally Posted by MUFC One Love

Oe two ambitious peas in a pod?

Ambitious @#%&!y @#%&!s then

Never saw this coming

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...156096,00.html

Manuel Pellegrini has conceded that he does not know for sure whether he will still be at Real Madrid next season

'fraid everybody else does manuel

1 Barcelona 37 96
2 Real Madrid 37 95

Now they are proper points totals

Watching Melan vs Juve, lots of farewell's for Milan.

Seems as though Ronaldinho is off, ver emotional leaving the pitch & waving to Milan fans etc.

Still a class act (in a piss poor Milan side) would sign him in a heartbeat.

The Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted that he finds life in Liverpool less than ideal as reports suggest Barcelona may be interested in a move for the Argentinian. Mascherano has fuelled the fire by suggesting a move to the Spanish champions fell through last summer when manager Rafael Benítez refused to sell him, despite him wanting to leave Anfield.

"The situation with Barcelona really affected me," he told the Liverpool Daily Post. "It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city I wanted to live in. There were many discussions and problems during that month and a half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't.

"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing. Also we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."

Mascherano suggested his family are unhappy in Liverpool and said a lack of fellow countryman to socialise with has affected his ability to settle. "I don't do much stuff in my free time, that's the truth," he said.

"What kills me about living in Liverpool is that there are only two Argentinians here with me, Emiliano Insúa and Maxi Rodríguez. Insúa and I live in a private neighbourhood. He lives in one tower and I live in the other. There are 15 metres between us and we used to look at each other through the window.

"Sometimes [Pablo] Zabaleta comes from Manchester but there is no way Carlos Tevez comes here. If I want to see him, I have to go to his place and knock on his door. He doesn't like to leave his home. So during the winter, during those four or five months, I have to stay at home all day with my family.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool, but I think my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives – but they have to be at home all day. My wife doesn't speak a word of English, so she depends 100% on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life."

Wonder if he wants to stay?

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

Wonder if he wants to stay?

The vermin on RAWK (or at least those who are not insisting this story is media driven anti-Liverpool/Rafa bias) are demanding Xavi AND cash in exchange for the gap toothed grinning scouse rat @#%&!.

£#%&!ing demented.

Originally Posted by Pop

The vermin on RAWK (or at least those who are not insisting this story is media driven anti-Liverpool/Rafa bias) are demanding Xavi AND cash in exchange for the gap toothed grinning scouse rat @#%&!.

£#%&!ing demented.

Why does that not suprise me?

Dont even think Barca are interested in him anymore, would be mad to sell Yaya Toure to sign him especially as he does not fit there style of football.

Can see him at City, Inter or Juve

Pretty much all the top players will be in Spain in a few years.

There's probably less than a dozen left in the prem.

What the £#%&! is he wearing!

Originally Posted by Appletango

Pretty much all the top players will be in Spain in a few years.

There's probably less than a dozen left in the prem.

most of the spanish (portuguese) speaking ones will be. the rest will be spread out around the top leagues like they always have been. the relative strength of la liga is based on the strength of spanish football atm, it's just the case that lots of top players are spanish, it's a golden generation. of course, they have an advantage with south american players (language, climate, culture) but most players don't travel too much: the best english players are in england, the best german players are in germany, the best italian players are in italy etc.

la liga is basically two clubs plus one other at any one time, and often just two clubs. the gap is even bigger in financial terms than it is in sporting terms. once you get past those two clubs there's nothing in la liga that can complete with the big clubs in europe. and, of course, real's spending is unsustainable.

Originally Posted by borsuk

most of the spanish (portuguese) speaking ones will be. the rest will be spread out around the top leagues like they always have been. the relative strength of la liga is based on the strength of spanish football atm, it's just the case that lots of top players are spanish, it's a golden generation. of course, they have an advantage with south american players (language, climate, culture) but most players don't travel too much: the best english players are in england, the best german players are in germany, the best italian players are in italy etc.

la liga is basically two clubs plus one other at any one time, and often just two clubs. the gap is even bigger in financial terms than it is in sporting terms. once you get past those two clubs there's nothing in la liga that can complete with the big clubs in europe. and, of course, real's spending is unsustainable.

There isn't many great English, German or Italian players though, Probably 3 or 4 between the three nations.

In the premierleague at the moment theres Rooney, Vidic, Evra, Lampard, Ashley Cole, Drogba, Torres and Fabregas who you could truly say are world class.

Half of them looked destined for a move to La Liga in the next couple of years, probably only Drogba and maybe Rooney or Lampard, although reports suggest Mourinho wants Lampard should he become Real Boss who you could say won't ever move there.

In Italy there's Sneijder, Cesar, Cambiasso, De Rossi and Maicon - Again, wouldn't surprise me to see half of them moving to Spain especially if Mourinho takes over at Real.

Elsewhere theres Ribery and Gourcouff - Can't think of many more. Ribery looks set for a move to Spain soon.

Were skint, Liverpool are skint, most teams in Italy are skint and the league in general has fell behind in terms of spending money, Arsenal don't sign big money stars. Top players don't really move to Spain or France, some develop into top players there but not many move there at the peek of their game.

Who's left. Chelsea and City. Will be a while before top players start considering City.

Originally Posted by borsuk

most of the spanish (portuguese) speaking ones will be. the rest will be spread out around the top leagues like they always have been. the relative strength of la liga is based on the strength of spanish football atm, it's just the case that lots of top players are spanish, it's a golden generation. of course, they have an advantage with south american players (language, climate, culture) but most players don't travel too much: the best english players are in england, the best german players are in germany, the best italian players are in italy etc.

la liga is basically two clubs plus one other at any one time, and often just two clubs. the gap is even bigger in financial terms than it is in sporting terms. once you get past those two clubs there's nothing in la liga that can complete with the big clubs in europe. and, of course, real's spending is unsustainable.

The Spanish are planning a break away league like the Premiership, I'm not sure if the implications are that they have an agreement that makes the TV money evenly split like here, Germany & now Italy to help the league be competitive or if they're just going to charge more & Barca & Madrid will go further ahead.

so you think barca and real are going to sign 10 'great' players between them?

Originally Posted by Appletango

There isn't many great English, German or Italian players though, Probably 3 or 4 between the three nations.

In the premierleague at the moment theres Rooney, Vidic, Evra, Lampard, Ashley Cole, Drogba, Torres and Fabregas who you could truly say are world class. ferdinand, scholes, giggs, vds, cech, carvalho, essien, terry (like it or not), anelka, tevez, gerrard, mascherano, van persie, arshavin... just off the top of my head, thinking about just a few clubs

Half of them looked destined for a move to La Liga in the next couple of years, probably only Drogba and maybe Rooney or Lampard, although reports suggest Mourinho wants Lampard should he become Real Boss who you could say won't ever move there. there's no reason to think that more players won't be coming to the premier league than leaving it - the two richest clubs in the world are english

In Italy there's Sneijder, Cesar, Cambiasso, De Rossi and Maicon - Again, wouldn't surprise me to see half of them moving to Spain especially if Mourinho takes over at Real. again, no reason to think they would. and other players would leave if they moved.

Elsewhere theres Ribery and Gourcouff - Can't think of many more. Ribery looks set for a move to Spain soon. robben, lloris, gorcouff, neuer, lahm etc etc

Were skint, Liverpool are skint, most teams in Italy are skint and the league in general has fell behind in terms of spending money, Arsenal don't sign big money stars. Top players don't really move to Spain or France, some develop into top players there but not many move there at the peek of their game. real have gone heavily into debt, last time they needed rescuing by the city of madrid. barca spent heavily last summer, not sure how much they have to spend

Who's left. Chelsea and City. Will be a while before top players start considering City. united, arsenal, spurs, villa all have budgets that 90% of clubs in la liga can't match.

as i said, la liga looks so strong because there are so many wonderful spanish players around, and because they will always have an advantage with regard to south american players. but i think your list of top players is way off. there is far greater strength in depth in england than in spain.

Originally Posted by Sloane

so you think barca and real are going to sign 10 'great' players between them?

Nope, obviously not all of them are going to move to La Liga but it looks like certainly 3 or 4 will be over the next few years. Vidic and Fabregas are almost certain to move this year or next. Ashley Cole is a possibility as is Evra - Both Barcelona and Real's weakest position is left back, these two are the best two in the world.

Then if Mourinho does take over at Real he will no doubt want some players he has worked with before at Chelsea and Inter.

If Valencia secure some backing wouldn't surprise me if they are able to attract said players either. They already have some top players.

Sevilla have secured another season in the champions league, doubt they will ever sign these type of players though.

Athletico could assuming they have a decent couple of years in the league.

The 20% tax compared to 50% tax here doesn't help. As a footballer unless you're English, the premierleague doesn't have much to offer in comparison with La liga.

Originally Posted by borsuk

as i said, la liga looks so strong because there are so many wonderful spanish players around, and because they will always have an advantage with regard to south american players. but i think your list of top players is way off. there is far greater strength in depth in england than in spain.

I was on about top players, as in the very best players in the world. I narrow this down to the best 3 or 4 in each position so you can take out half them you have put like Giggs, Scholes, RVP, Carvalho, Anelka etc. All very good players but not in the top bracket of players.

20 best players in Spain imo.

1. Messi.
2. Iniesta
3. Ronaldo
4. Xavi.
5. Villa.
6. Higuian.
7. Kaka
8. Silva.
9. Alves
10. Ibra
11.Aguero
12. Forlan
13. Fabiano
14. Ramos
15. Alonso
16. Pique
17. Puyol
18. Iker Casiias
19. Pedro
20. Mata

Probably missed some off, likes of Benzema, Busquets, Martinez, Senna, Abidal don't even make the list.

Greater strength in depth

"Insúa and I live in a private neighbourhood. He lives in one tower and I live in the other. There are 15 metres between us and we used to look at each other through the window."