Premier League (Official Thread)

[TooTall]

On another note Mario Balotelli is quickly surpassing Ronaldo as my favorite player at the moment.

He brings humor to a game that lacks it and is just a lot of fun to watch.

It's going to be fun watching him progress into one of the best players in the world.

Him and Dzeko are vital to this team, believe it or not.

 

[Buckeye513]

I hate Manchester United, I've hated them for over a decade, and I'll hate them for the rest of my life, but City represent everything wrong with the sport right now. Fuck them.

 

[OH10]

Balotelli is a petulant asshat. I'm glad Citeh laid the wood to the red devils, but he's the Terrell Owens of the soccer world. A true "me first" player that won't listen to authority or reign in his ego and antics.

 

[TooTall]

I hate Manchester United, I've hated them for over a decade, and I'll hate them for the rest of my life, but City represent everything wrong with the sport right now. [censored] them.

Because they are buying themselves championships? It's what Man U's done for decades. It's what Barca and Real have always done. It's big stage soccer, like it or not, it's here to stay.

 

[Buckeye513]

Because they are buying themselves championships? It's what Man U's done for decades. It's what Barca and Real have always done. It's big stage soccer, like it or not, it's here to stay.

They've spent almost $570,000,000 in three years. No one has done that. Ever. The way they're spending and the wages they're paying has fucked over EVERYONE, more so than any other team including Chelsea ever did. I'll bitch about United and Barca spending cash as much as anyone, but at least they earned it. City fell ass backwards into a bottomless arab money pit because some sheikh got bored.

I realize that they're you're FIFA 12 wet dream, but spare me the "this is big stage soccer" bullshit.

 

[Wells4Heisman]

I've been on the Man City bandwagon for a while now, it's nice to see the balance of power shifting in Manchester.

 

[TooTall]

They've spent almost $570,000,000 in three years. No one has done that. Ever. The way they're spending and the wages they're paying has [censored]ed over EVERYONE, more so than any other team including Chelsea ever did. I'll bitch about United and Barca spending cash as much as anyone, but at least they earned it. City fell ass backwards into a bottomless arab money pit because some sheikh got bored.

I realize that they're you're FIFA 12 wet dream, but spare me the "this is big stage soccer" bull[Mark May].

My FIFA 12 wet dream.

 

[IronBuckI]

When do the UEFA fair play rules kick in? And how does everyone think that will affect "big stage soccer"? As fast as they've grown, there's no way that City is bringing in as much money as they're spending.

 

[Merih]

I think City and Chelsea are refreshing because for the longest time if you weren't a supporter of either ManU, Arsenal, or Liverpool, then you might as well not even have title aspirations. It's fun to see more international flair in England and more teams involved in the title chase.

As far as fair play is concerned, City is the largest symptom of a larger problem. Go through the books of every large club and you'll have issues. I personally think it started with Los Galacticos and those Real Madrid sides of the late 90's.

There is no player on the planet worth ?50M. Never has been. But now that the market is set there, it's an arms race.

 

[Buckeye513]

When do the UEFA fair play rules kick in? And how does everyone think that will affect "big stage soccer"? As fast as they've grown, there's no way that City is bringing in as much money as they're spending.

City were 120m (pounds) in the red last year. I read in early July their losses for this year were also 120m. Obviously they've spent a ton since then.

I see a lot of people saying to just wait until FFP kicks in, but UEFA will never, ever sack up and ban any of their money-makers from the Champions League. People want to see City now, and that's enough to protect them.

 

[CHU]

I see a lot of people saying to just wait until FFP kicks in, but UEFA will never, ever sack up and ban any of their money-makers from the Champions League. People want to see City now, and that's enough to protect them.

Yep, it's not like Michel Platini is un-corruptible too. He could try to enforce the rules, then all of a sudden he'll have a new villa in Russia, Abu Dhabi or Spain and then he'll say the rule isn't needed.

Nothing's changing in the near future, unless there's a global oil crisis and people stop using gasoline (as far as City goes).

 

[TooTall]

Not EPL, but whatever.

Italy striker Antonio Cassano to undergo minor heart surgery

Milan said in a statement that Cassano will undergo the heart procedure some time in the next few days after being diagnosed with a cardiac anomaly, which impaired blood flow to his brain.

His recovery time will be better determined after the surgery, but the Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani, said: "Presumably within four, five or six months Cassano should be cleared to play. He has a minor heart problem that caused this minor discomfort and over the next few days he will undergo surgery to close the opening."

 

[Smudger]

Certainly going to affect Milan's challenge for the Scudetto no doubt. At least they're not fairing as bad as there Milanese counterparts who are an astonishing 3 goals out of the relegation zone.

 

[TooTall]

Certainly going to affect Milan's challenge for the Scudetto no doubt. At least they're not fairing as bad as there Milanese counterparts who are an astonishing 3 goals out of the relegation zone.

I say no way. Milan is peaking right now despite injury problems. Milan smacked Catania (5th place before the game), 4-0. That was without Boateng, Pato, Cassano, Taiwo (although he's just not adapting to the Italian game), Nocerino (rest).

If anything, it hurts their chances at a Champions League run. But I can see Milan spending some money for a player or two (need a midfielder BAD, and another ST to replace Cassano, preferably on loans)

 

[Smudger]

Considering Serie A is extremely weak this season you're probably right. I can't see Udinese holding out much longer & despite Lazio improving with some well added age they are not as good as Milan. Who needs Mauro Zarate anyway ?
Juventus is Juventus, no consistency. Palermo are not the same without Pastore. Napoli have the potential but are also very inconsistent.

I'll be curious to see who they manage to get in the UCL knockout stage as I cannot see them winning the group even though they get Barca at home next matchday.

I'm shocked Ibra hasn't knocked Allegri unconscious in public yet...He's probably waiting for Pep to come to the San Siro first.