FIFA 2014 World Cup all-purpose thread

[ImperialOrange]

That's a terrible idea. That would reduce the need for MLS teams to develop academy players into pros and in turn would severely hurt US Soccer.

The MLS becoming the "minor league" for the EPL would be a catastrophe.

I don't think MLS teams would be a "minor league" set up to an EPL club, rather a first option for players to go on loan vs sending them to a different league. I'm thinking max would be 2-3 guys per year that are too good for U21 and not yet seasoned enough to a full run of games in the EPL.

The benefit for the EPL clubs would be greater visability. The benefit for the MLS teams would be having foreign players considering MLS at the beginning of their career instead of the end.

Example for me would be Andre Wisdom. Not a sexy name because he is a defender BUT he is extremely talented and I feel will make the Liverpool senior side next year. He's 21 at the moment, spent last year on loan at Derby and will spend this season on loan to West Brom. What if he, instead, spent 1 or both years on loan in the MLS? If he ends up instead being sold by Liverpool, wouldn't it be better for an MLS club to have an established relationship with him to aid in the prospect of buying him?

If the MLS team doesn't need a player in the position or doesn't rate the player highly enough the option to loan elsewhere would still exist. It's not as though EPL teams would be shipping their garbage stateside.

 

[cusefan88]

I don't think MLS teams would be a "minor league" set up to an EPL club, rather a first option for players to go on loan vs sending them to a different league. I'm thinking max would be 2-3 guys per year that are too good for U21 and not yet seasoned enough to a full run of games in the EPL.

The benefit for the EPL clubs would be greater visability. The benefit for the MLS teams would be having foreign players considering MLS at the beginning of their career instead of the end.

Example for me would be Andre Wisdom. Not a s e xy name because he is a defender BUT he is extremely talented and I feel will make the Liverpool senior side next year. He's 21 at the moment, spent last year on loan at Derby and will spend this season on loan to West Brom. What if he, instead, spent 1 or both years on loan in the MLS? If he ends up instead being sold by Liverpool, wouldn't it be better for an MLS club to have an established relationship with him to aid in the prospect of buying him?

If the MLS team doesn't need a player in the position or doesn't rate the player highly enough the option to loan elsewhere would still exist. It's not as though EPL teams would be shipping their garbage stateside.

I guess it depends on if the club thinks getting PT in MLS vs the championship. You make a great counter point. I saw it through the lens of the "minor league" comment versus the normal situation you just described.

 

[bnoro]

I don't think MLS teams would be a "minor league" set up to an EPL club, rather a first option for players to go on loan vs sending them to a different league. I'm thinking max would be 2-3 guys per year that are too good for U21 and not yet seasoned enough to a full run of games in the EPL.

The benefit for the EPL clubs would be greater visability. The benefit for the MLS teams would be having foreign players considering MLS at the beginning of their career instead of the end.

Example for me would be Andre Wisdom. Not a s e xy name because he is a defender BUT he is extremely talented and I feel will make the Liverpool senior side next year. He's 21 at the moment, spent last year on loan at Derby and will spend this season on loan to West Brom. What if he, instead, spent 1 or both years on loan in the MLS? If he ends up instead being sold by Liverpool, wouldn't it be better for an MLS club to have an established relationship with him to aid in the prospect of buying him?

If the MLS team doesn't need a player in the position or doesn't rate the player highly enough the option to loan elsewhere would still exist. It's not as though EPL teams would be shipping their garbage stateside.

I don't see a guy like Wisdom going to play for NYCFC if he's not good enough for Liverpool though. He could play for a mid table/recently promoted premier league team and not have to leave England.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I guess it depends on if the club thinks getting PT in MLS vs the championship. You make a great counter point. I saw it through the lens of the "minor league" comment versus the normal situation you just described.

For me, as an ardent Liverpool supporter, I go through 2 ranges of emotion everytime they announce US tours. First is excitement and thinking "wow I would love to go see them" but second is "but that's a lot of money and they probably won't be playing many starters if any at all. Imagine my dismay if I had spend hundreds of dollars to go to the Fenway game and not see any of our big name players play?

The flip side is, I do follow our youth players, and would very much travel to a cheaper venue to see them play knowing that's what I'm signing up for. A group of Andre Wisdom, Jordan Ibe, Conner Coady, Teixeira, etc would all be worth the price of admission knowing that's what I was going to see.

 

[General20]

For me, as an ardent Liverpool supporter, I go through 2 ranges of emotion everytime they announce US tours. First is excitement and thinking "wow I would love to go see them" but second is "but that's a lot of money and they probably won't be playing many starters if any at all. Imagine my dismay if I had spend hundreds of dollars to go to the Fenway game and not see any of our big name players play?

The flip side is, I do follow our youth players, and would very much travel to a cheaper venue to see them play knowing that's what I'm signing up for. A group of Andre Wisdom, Jordan Ibe, Conner Coady, Teixeira, etc would all be worth the price of admission knowing that's what I was going to see.

And lets not forget that Wisdom, Ibe, etc. are better than 99% of MLS players, despite their age. Plus the HUGE extra bonus is, eventually one of them will turn out to be a star on the highest level of soccer which is something the MLS has never produced and is unlikely to ever produce without EPL influence.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I don't see a guy like Wisdom going to play for NYCFC if he's not good enough for Liverpool though. He could play for a mid table/recently promoted premier league team and not have to leave England.

Correct but money talks. If he, or any other young talented player, is looking at the option of playing in the championship or a smaller club abroad for similar or less money they may well choose to relocate to an English speaking top league vs an english speaking minor league. There are some immensly talented players on the recently promoted championship teams that could potentially make more money and be super stars if they played state side instead.

Hop on youtube and check out David Nugent. Played in the Liverpool youth system before working his way through league 2, league 1, championship, and now into the PL. I'd imagine an MLS team could've paid him higher wages early in his career vs Bury, Preston, etc.

 

[ImperialOrange]

And lets not forget that Wisdom, Ibe, etc. are better than 99% of MLS players, despite their age. Plus the HUGE extra bonus is, eventually one of them will turn out to be a star on the highest level of soccer which is something the MLS has never produced and is unlikely to ever produce without EPL influence.

I'm not sure 99% is correct but point taken. Still, it would also give US fans a connection to foreign clubs if they cheered for them during their developement. Ibe is fantastic to watch and could well be a star in the MLS for a couple summers before returning to Liverpool as a squad player.

I think the offset MLS schedule could work in their favor as well. If a foreign club loans to the MLS they could still have their player back by the January transfer window. Could save EPL teams from making purchases there.

 

[Bortukal]

Drogba just signed a 1-year deal to return to Stamford Bridge. Didn't see that coming.

 

[PoppyHart]

Welcome Back, Didier!

 

[ImperialOrange]

I don't see a guy like Wisdom going to play for NYCFC if he's not good enough for Liverpool though. He could play for a mid table/recently promoted premier league team and not have to leave England.

True but there are multiple other players that end up being not quite good enough for top clubs that could excel in different leagues. I'm sure you can name a bunch of guys you thought were going to make it in the Spurs youth set up only to see them never get a chance and end up in lower leagues. A lot of them are still quite young when they are let go as well. They could well be great career MLS players if they so choose and few could end up being stars that decide to stay vs going back across the pond when other teams come calling. For all that we ***** about, the US is still a damn nice place to live and raise a family.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Drogba just signed a 1-year deal to return to Stamford Bridge. Didn't see that coming.

Wonder if they'll make Oscar give his number back?

 

[Alsacs]

I wouldn't want the MLS to become a full fledged minor league to EPL, but if clubs affiliated they would benefit each other. Give cross promotion to cities between both leagues. It would help both leagues I would put a cap on how many players could get loaned and with the MLS ending in the fall the players would be available for the EPL team in January.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I wouldn't want the MLS to become a full fledged minor league to EPL, but if clubs affiliated they would benefit each other. Give cross promotion to cities between both leagues. It would help both leagues I would put a cap on how many players could get loaned and with the MLS ending in the fall the players would be available for the EPL team in January.

The other side of this could be standout MLS players going on loan for half seasons to the PL in the January window. Would potentially get some longer looks from big clubs at that point and maybe get them eventually signed. MLS would then have bigger transfer money coming in.

 

[General20]

Drogba just signed a 1-year deal to return to Stamford Bridge. Didn't see that coming.

Maybe Fernando Torres will end up in the MLS, lol.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Maybe Fernando Torres will end up in the MLS, lol.

He is an immovable object. His wages are too much for any team to take on and why on Earth would he take a pay cut?

http://www.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...o-see-out-chelsea-contract-three-years-042413

http://thetoptenner.com/top-10-footballers-salary-per-week-wages/

Even if they allow him to go on free transfer he STILL costs too much.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Idk why Lahm retired so young... Does not make much sense to me. Doesn't bother me much either, but seems a little stupid IMO. They could take Euro 2016 and The next world cup in 2018 (i bet it isn't in Russia btw). It seems Germany is just getting started.

Wants to save his legs for his club team. Bayern pays his bills. Leaving the club 4 times a year for International duty and not having a summer vacation for many years in a row wears a player down and makes him susceptible to injury. Just look at Messi, he's a shadow of who he was a couple years ago, and he's only around 25.

 

[IthacaMatt]

He is an immovable object. His wages are too much for any team to take on and why on Earth would he take a pay cut?

View attachment 19062

http://www.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...o-see-out-chelsea-contract-three-years-042413

http://thetoptenner.com/top-10-footballers-salary-per-week-wages/

Even if they allow him to go on free transfer he STILL costs too much.

I think he'll got to Monaco for about 18-20M

 

[IthacaMatt]

I watched some of the Sporting KC game after and their crowd is pretty good too but I've only really ever seen Portland, Seattle, KC and Galaxy tbh. Starting to watch some MLS now so I'm sure ill see what you're talking about.

Those are the most entertaining teams. Throw in NY Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake and those are the "must watch" teams.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Question. Why can't Agudelo get a work permit? How do these things work? Is it discriminatory/arbitrary or is there a valid reason like a felony on his record or contagious disease or something? Just seems weird.

It's determined by how much professional experience a player has, and is the league highly rated enough. Playing for one's national team can help someone overcome playing in a lower league.

 

[IthacaMatt]

-Chiriches was one of our better defenders if he wasn't hurt last season. A bit like David Luiz in that he loses concentration sometimes but very comfortable on the ball.
-Eriksen will be world class, put up similar numbers to Ozil last season under two bad managers.
-Soldado, jury's out, but at the time he was the 3rd leading scorer in Spain over the last 3 years behind Messi and Ronaldo.
-Chadli will play a role, wasn't utilized properly by AVB/Sherwood.
-Capoue/Lamela were both hurt most of the season. Lamela was the next big thing at Roma.
-Paulinho was voted 3rd best player in the tournament at the Confederations Cup the summer before last.

These were all big name players outside of Chadli and Chiriches. Unfortunately AVB decided he didn't know how he wanted the team to play football and the season was a disaster.

The biggest adjustment for players coming to England from Spain are (1) how physical the defenders are allowed to play, and (2) what it's like playing in really nasty weather. It rains for months of the season in England.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Prediction: I think Chelsea's starting 11 looks like this:

4/1/1/3/1

Courtois

Azpilicueta Terry Cahill Luis

Matic

Fabregas

Schurrle Hazard Willian

Costa

Oscar doesn't get the start. Hazard gets first shot at the No. 10. Ivanovic doesn't start but he'll play a lot because he is so versatile and JT is an injury risk. Betrand gets loaned or sold (He has Liverpool player written all over him). Torres stays. Van Ginklel pushes Obi for back-up holding mid. Ramires and Salah are next options off the midfield bench after Oscar. Marin gets shipped out. Cech plays good soldier, then leaves next year.

The big question though: What happens to Lukaku. Does he stay, get loaned or shipped out? If Drogba indeed comes back as a player/coach, I'm assuming he'll be the third option up front. Lukaku is good enough to start. Something has to give and it looks like Torres is staying. There are no rumors about Fernando leaving.

I think you won't see both Schurrle and Willian start - it'll likely be one or the other. I think Mourinho will play a lot of 4-3-3 and use both Oscar and Cesc at the top of an inverted triangle with Matic holding. Hazard on the left and either Wilian or Schurrle on the right.

I hope they keep Lukaku and that Drogba is the third striker, tasked with teaching his tricks to Diego Costa and the big Belgian Baby. I hope they sell Torres to Monaco, so we don't have to keep hearing about him and how he has disappointed at Chelsea.

 

[cmr27]

Wonder if they'll make Oscar give his number back?

Foreshadowing, perhaps. Oscar didn't factor much late last season. There were questions about his strength. He seemed to get weaker as the year went on. Plus, he apparently doesn't like playing in cold weather... Sounds like Mourinho's kinda guy. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets sent away like Mata last season.

 

[cmr27]

I hope they sell Torres to Monaco, so we don't have to keep hearing about him and how he has disappointed at Chelsea.

Costa/Lukaku/Didier is a great striking force but Imperial is right about Torres. They can't move him because of his weekly wages. It's going to take something creative or a miracle offer to get rid of him. Or maybe he'll take less to return to Atletico. That's probably the best play for him in the end.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Costa/Lukaku/Didier is a great striking force but Imperial is right about Torres. They can't move him because of his weekly wages. It's going to take something creative or a miracle offer to get rid of him. Or maybe he'll take less to return to Atletico. That's probably the best play for him in the end.

Perhaps the knicks would take him for Amare Stoudemire?

 

[CanadianSU]

Wants to save his legs for his club team. Bayern pays his bills. Leaving the club 4 times a year for International duty and not having a summer vacation for many years in a row wears a player down and makes him susceptible to injury. Just look at Messi, he's a shadow of who he was a couple years ago, and he's only around 25.

International > Club.