Topic: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

[-Paddy-]

It still is, he was a big fish in a small pond and only once scored ovr 20 league goals in a season.
He didn't do it for Ajax at all and only once for inter in the same season 32 year old Marco Di Vaio did it.

Torres and Rooney have only scored 20 league goals in a season once. If you watched Inter over the last two years, he won them the league, twice.

[wardides]

If you watched Inter over the last two years, he won them the league, twice.

Is right.

[Degs]

Torres and Rooney have only scored 20 league goals in a season once. If you watched Inter over the last two years, he won them the league, twice.

Rooney played left wing the past 2 seasons and Torres played right wing at Atleti.
I watched Serie A while Ibra was there and still do, I agree he won them the league...that's what makes it such a shite league.

He is presented with tons of chances every match and misses from 5 yards out. 

[-Paddy-]

Talking about how clinical he is, I'm using this as a source http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/laliga/stats

It's probably not the best, but it gives us a fair idea. Anyway, as you can see, he's been just as efficient as Villa and Forlan when it comes to taking chances. Granted, it's fair to say of the three Ibra has the best service of the three players I've mentioned, but do Forlan and Villa bring the same link up play he does? I don't think so.

[wardides]

I cant say i agree with that theory that he would get more chances then Villa/Forlan..For example a team coming to the nou camp will most likely set up camp to hit them on the counter but most importantly stay tight at the back.Compare this to a team going to the Mestalla or the vincent calderon and they wont be near as focused at being tight at the back,seen as they would probably fancy there chances at getting a point or 3..I also think,strangely enough, Atlético madrid are as attacking as barcelona.There just not as effective.

[hoonin]

Does anyone still think he's shit or the most over-rated (arf) player in the world? If you do then I respect your opinion, but it's completely and utterly wrong. Easily one of the top five front men in the world, alongside Torres, Villa, Drogba and whoever else you want to stick in there.

Well in Zlatan lad.

I dont rate him that much, based on the times I've seen him in the flesh and on TV.

A good striker but I really dont understand what all the fuss is about L6? Question marks over his close control and finishing and his over confidence reminds me of a grown up Bendtner.

[afcgooner]

He's no Fernando Torres.

[stevensr123]

Talking about how clinical he is, I'm using this as a source http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/laliga/stats

It's probably not the best, but it gives us a fair idea. Anyway, as you can see, he's been just as efficient as Villa and Forlan when it comes to taking chances. Granted, it's fair to say of the three Ibra has the best service of the three players I've mentioned, but do Forlan and Villa bring the same link up play he does? I don't think so.

The thing is though, they didn't need a creative forward who's best attribute was linking up player ( Zlatan) and slowing down play. barcelona have the most creative midfield in the world,  what they "need" now is a striker that can finish the chances they create (drogba, villa, torres etc) but then, they already had a striker that could finish those chances (eto'o)

[Xxavi]

Buffon was in god mode in the first few months for Juventus till he got injured. From, then on he has has been injury prone. To label a world class player who hasn't been able to perform his best due to injuries is appalling.

Mate, there are many excuses for past greats like Ronaldinho, Del Piero, Raul etc. including Buffon. It happens you know... the world's best players can turn into very average players. Buffon has nothing to back up the claims that he is in top 10 keepers in the past year. In fact, he wasn't on the radar after Juventus was sent to Serie B. I specifically watched Juventus games to see if this guy is as faultless as they claim.

The fact that teams like Barca are watched and Valdes's every single mistake gets highlighted is really really unfair. Buffon makes plenty of them, and Italian media not concentrating on it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It has been very quick that Cech fallen of the grace for 3-4 mistakes. And rightly so. But Buffon has been worse than Cech for 3-4 years now, IMO.

And besides injuries and generally being average, I wouldn't swap Valdes for Buffon because Valdes is younger.

PS
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/nMVLQSFgK-M&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/nMVLQSFgK-M&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;</a>
Look at the first Genoa goal. Its basically a pass to a near post and Buffon just sat on his ass. Second goal is even worse, he basically gifted that cross to an incoming player to tap in. A performance like this from Valdes would be enough for people to go on for about a year saying how shit Valdes is and that he is the weak link in Barca. It might be true given Barca has a cracking squad right now, but it is also unfair. People like Buffon and Casillas have been piss poor in past year or even more, but ask any fan to make top 3-5 keepers in the world, and 90%+ of case either one of those will be heading the list.

Here's highlights of Ajax-Juventus game.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/FTk0Wspt1Y0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/FTk0Wspt1Y0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;</a>
Watch the first goal. Valdes would be crucified for that. And these are the only two matches I watched carefully. If I wanted to find his more errors, I can just go through the goals that Juventus conceded in past two seasons. I am confident there are plenty of them.

[matchyg]

I prefer Eto'o, so Ibra scored against Arsenal, a team not know for their defensive organisation. He's not very likable either. If Inter make the final it'll be all because of Eto'o and because Ibra isn't there anymore.

[Degs]

I prefer Eto'o, so Ibra scored against Arsenal, a team not know for their defensive organisation. He's not very likable either. If Inter make the final it'll be all because of Eto'o and because Ibra isn't there anymore.

Not really.
It'll be because of Lucio, Sneijder and Milito.
The first 2 more than anything, solid spine now, we should have got Sneijder instead of the pansy Aquilani.

[wardides]

I prefer Eto'o, so Ibra scored against Arsenal, a team not know for their defensive organisation. He's not very likable either. If Inter make the final it'll be all because of Eto'o and because Ibra isn't there anymore.

Theres so much wrong with that sentance..Eto'o is a much more disruptive influence then Ibra as i think everybody knows.That was the reason Mourinho got such a big deal, was because Pep needed rid of him quick.If Inter make the final its in only a tiny bit down to eto'o.Sneijder,Milito,Walter Samuel,Lucio,zanetti,Cesar..Apart from his goal against chelsea hes only got 1 more which was against Rubin Kazan.Inter won the league by 10 points last year, thanks to Ibras 25 goals, top scorer in the league.Ibra was also the only Inter player in the top 15 scorers in the league.Inter sit only a point clear now after 31 games and if(which is a big if) they win the league(which i dont think they will) they can put that down to Mr.Milito bagging 18 goals so far and the best defence in the league.

[jotirori]

Not really.
It'll be because of Lucio, Sneijder and Milito.
The first 2 more than anything, solid spine now, we should have got Sneijder instead of the pansy Aquilani.

What About Maicon? how do you rate Him?

[Degs]

What About Maicon? how do you rate Him?

Best right back in the world.
Thing is though if Inter progress this year then it's not because he's still there, although that's a big help, but it's because they've strengthened their spine with those mentioned above.

They've really stepped up from Muntari, Ibra, and Materazzi.

[BazC]

Lucio's been such a class act in the games I've seen (not a great deal of them). Reminds me of Carra 2-3 years back; a properly comfortable CB against any fucker who he comes up against. That confidence leads to top class defensive performances.

Exactly the type of CB we need to bring in asap (although one who'd be stronger in the air I guess).

[Degs]

Lucio's been such a class act in the games I've seen (not a great deal of them). Reminds me of Carra 2-3 years back; a properly comfortable CB against any fucker who he comes up against. That confidence leads to top class defensive performances.

Exactly the type of CB we need to bring in asap (although one who'd be stronger in the air I guess).

I don't see that to be honest.
Carragher's biggest asset was the ability to block the last shot, Lucio is a totally different player, he's more akin to Agger or Hansen than Carra.  Like Pique at Barca he brings the ball out with such ease that 2 of the midfield three can abandon their position and get forward.

We have a Lucio in Agger what we need is for Rafa to tell him he's allowed to go forward with it, the kind we need to bring in is a big man like Gary Cahill.

[matchyg]

Theres so much wrong with that sentance..Eto'o is a much more disruptive influence then Ibra as i think everybody knows.That was the reason Mourinho got such a big deal, was because Pep needed rid of him quick.If Inter make the final its in only a tiny bit down to eto'o.Sneijder,Milito,Walter Samuel,Lucio,zanetti,Cesar..Apart from his goal against chelsea hes only got 1 more which was against Rubin Kazan.Inter won the league by 10 points last year, thanks to Ibras 25 goals, top scorer in the league.Ibra was also the only Inter player in the top 15 scorers in the league.Inter sit only a point clear now after 31 games and if(which is a big if) they win the league(which i dont think they will) they can put that down to Mr.Milito bagging 18 goals so far and the best defence in the league.

Yeah I know he hasn't done as well in Serie A, Inter aren't a creative team, but I'm talking about Champions League, his goal against Chelsea away was very valuable, it really put Inter on the map, to be taken seriously in Europe. From flops to European force. The breakthrough they needed in Europe.

[BazC]

I don't see that to be honest.
Carragher's biggest asset was the ability to block the last shot, Lucio is a totally different player, he's more akin to Agger or Hansen than Carra.  Like Pique at Barca he brings the ball out with such ease that 2 of the midfield three can abandon their position and get forward.

We have a Lucio in Agger what we need is for Rafa to tell him he's allowed to go forward with it, the kind we need to bring in is a big man like Gary Cahill.

I know what you mean about Carra and his last ditch defending, but I do remember him having a certain sense of calm about his play. It was in that 2nd Rafa season when he and Hyypia were one of the best CB partnerships in Europe and when he was up against the bread and butter teams in the league. That was the best our defence ever got with Rafa and since it's been a steady downward slope I think.

Maybe it's just me and I'm getting confused with Sami who had that sense of utter calm and confidence about him.

But still- that should be our most important signing in the summer; a player who has that sense of calm and aura of dominance. Carra today's too nervy and on edge, Skrtel's always been like that and Agger's not going to be the 'lead' man in that CB area; at least not yet.

Watching the Manc/Chelsea game, it's annoying seeing the CBs on show there. If we had any combination of the 4 in that game this season, we'd have been right up there in my opinion. 

[C]

Question marks over his close control

Excuse me?

[wardides]

Yeah I know he hasn't done as well in Serie A, Inter aren't a creative team, but I'm talking about Champions League, his goal against Chelsea away was very valuable, it really put Inter on the map, to be taken seriously in Europe. From flops to European force. The breakthrough they needed in Europe.

They would have gone through anyway you do know that?I think if anything put them on the "map" as you say it would have been the 2-1 win before that.People expected chelsea to go there and get at least a draw and milito got a very good goal..Have a look at that game at stamford bridge.Eto'o must have missed at least 2 very very good chances.They still only reached the quarters so i dont know how a first round knockout win could be said as "putting" them on the map..And if anybody did that its Mourinho.Inter arnt as good as people make out IMO and i think they might come undone in moscow,and still think Ranieri will pip them to the title too.

[Jack Barrels]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAnGtGhrIpE 

[choi]

Just heard on Football Focus that he only ran 400m more than Victor Valdes on Tuesday !!!

[Gaz123456]

Obviously a good player, but a World Class one never.

Needs too many chances to score. In a poor team he wouldn't be looked as a top player

[matchyg]

Just heard on Football Focus that he only ran 400m more than Victor Valdes on Tuesday !!!

He's too big to run too much, he lacks agility. He looks a bit Unco.

[BazC]

Just heard on Football Focus that he only ran 400m more than Victor Valdes on Tuesday !!!

Fucking hell what a lazy c*nt. I probably did more than that when we won the CL in 05.

[rowan_d]

He's too big to run too much, he lacks agility. He looks a bit Unco.

No offense, but bollocks to that. He's lazy, pure and simple.

[-Paddy-]

Needs too many chances to score. In a poor team he wouldn't be looked as a top player

Better shots/goal record than Rooney, fact.

[Vinay]

I have heard some comparing him to Berbatov.  But for me, Ibrahimovic >> Berbatov.

[Jack Barrels]

I agree he tends to be a bit lazy, but he has been injured for a while now and that surely played some part in the lack of work-effort aswell.
He seems to be quite popular among the Barca fans though!
http://www.fcbfans.com/ranking/en/ranking.html

[AriGold]

FC Barcelona  16 Goals, 26 Games  4 Goals, 9 Games (Champions League) 

Shit though.

[Degs]

FC Barcelona  16 Goals, 26 Games  4 Goals, 9 Games (Champions League) 

Shit though.

Take away the penalties.

[AriGold]

Take away the penalties.

How many has he got? Messi takes them, no?

[alett]

Take away the penalties.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/estadistiques/jugadors/Ibrahimovic/fitxa.html

2 pens total. Still shit though.

[-HH-]

It's never been an issue of talent I don't think, besides the mindless few who will tell you he's shit - realistically for most it's always been a question of his application rather than his talent. Say what you like but the reality of the situation is that he's a talented, lazy fucker. Always has been, always will be. The talent makes him worth having anyway, particularly if you're a football machine like Barca are.

I agree with you that he's up there with the other best strikers in the world, but for his laziness alone I'd have below all the others in your list, which is a shame because he's possibly the most skillful of all.

[Degs]

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/estadistiques/jugadors/Ibrahimovic/fitxa.html

2 pens total. Still shit though.

Compared to how many Eto'o got last season?

[Degs]

It's never been an issue of talent I don't think, besides the mindless few who will tell you he's shit - realistically for most it's always been a question of his application rather than his talent. Say what you like but the reality of the situation is that he's a talented, lazy fucker. Always has been, always will be. The talent makes him worth having anyway, particularly if you're a football machine like Barca are.

I agree with you that he's up there with the other best strikers in the world, but for his laziness alone I'd have below all the others in your list, which is a shame because he's possibly the most skillful of all.

Very Rich man's Berbatov

[AriGold]

Anyone who says he's shit doesn't understand Football.

It's that simple.

[rafabenihill]

It's never been an issue of talent I don't think, besides the mindless few who will tell you he's shit - realistically for most it's always been a question of his application rather than his talent. Say what you like but the reality of the situation is that he's a talented, lazy fucker. Always has been, always will be. The talent makes him worth having anyway, particularly if you're a football machine like Barca are.

I agree with you that he's up there with the other best strikers in the world, but for his laziness alone I'd have below all the others in your list, which is a shame because he's possibly the most skillful of all.

i think barca would do just as well with a less talented but more efficient striker.. like milito, fabiano etc.. just look at how inter coped without ibrahimovic

[rowan_d]

Anyone who says he's shit doesn't understand Football.

It's that simple.

Nobody's saying he's shit...

[Degs]

Anyone who says he's shit doesn't understand Football.

It's that simple.

Nobody is saying he's shit but is he vastly over-rated, over priced, and a downgrade on Eto'o of course he is.
He has the most envious job in football and yet pouts his time out.

He moaned at Pedro in the press because he didn't pass the ball to him, you know why Pedro didn't pass, because he was too busy scoring.

He's talented but he's in a league where he needs to put the effort in, there's only so many times he can stick the ball in from 5 yards out before the Barca fans/team demand more.  He's in a team that prides itself on off the ball work and he doesn't do it at all.   

This season he has been shown up by David Villa massively, if he was willing to shift his lazy arse he'd have about 30 goals this season, like Eto'o did last.

When he's on fire (start of the season) he's brilliant but when he's not he's the epitome of what is wrong with modern day footballers.