Topic: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

[SwedenRed]

Shut up you big massive queen, I'm winding you up.

Apologies... I've thrown you a kiss.

Agree to disagree though... I have analyzed this player since his Malmö days and watched his carreer closely. I have even met the guy on a couple of occasions, and on this one I couldnt change my opinion about him.
I hope he proves me wrong however because I have always thought he is a massive talent, but rarely deliverred. Oh dear, those Qualifiers for Sweden where they really needed him to shine were embarrassing for him... Woeful performances.

[Terry De Niro]

Oh dear, those Qualifiers for Sweden where they really needed him to shine were embarrassing for him... Woeful performances.

Maybe he's one of them rare breeds who cares more for the team who pays his wages week in, week out.
I like him even more now..

[CHOPPER]

hahahaha not another Swedenred taking it all too seriously again shocker mocca chocka.

Did your mate ever get back to you after the Ireland game (the 4th ref)? I hung on for 5 days and no reply
some said you made it up, i didn't believe them, say it aint so sfffeden, say it aint so?.......

[L6 Red]

Apologies... I've thrown you a kiss.

Agree to disagree though... I have analyzed this player since his Malmö days and watched his carreer closely. I have even met the guy on a couple of occasions, and on this one I couldnt change my opinion about him.
I hope he proves me wrong however because I have always thought he is a massive talent, but rarely deliverred. Oh dear, those Qualifiers for Sweden where they really needed him to shine were embarrassing for him... Woeful performances.

Do you not there is a difference between a striker and a talisman, though? Would you not consider Fowler a great striker because he didn't do it in 'big matches' just to use one example off the top of my head? Or even van Nistelrooy at United? Strikers score goals, they can't always be expected to be all over the pitch, pulling their team out of the mire. Some just aren't in that mould.

[Cruiser]

Doing well but still think Eto'o is better

Agree. Eto'o at Barca was fuckin amazing.

Very few strikers have the skill and control that he did at such pace.

Devastating.

[SwedenRed]

Maybe he's one of them rare breeds who cares more for the team who pays his wages week in, week out.
I like him even more now..

haha...I see what you are getting at! You have a good point there, and I always thought he cared more for his Club than Country... HE just doesnt seem to give two hoots about them.
One thing about his skill ability... He has a black belt in a martial Art, hence how he can jump high and do those trick ect.

[SwedenRed]

hahahaha not another Swedenred taking it all too seriously again shocker mocca chocka.

Did your mate ever get back to you after the Ireland game (the 4th ref)? I hung on for 5 days and no reply
some said you made it up, i didn't believe them, say it aint so sfffeden, say it aint so?.......

Oh shit that... No, I didnt make it up.... I have known him for years, a relly nice fella in our little town. He wasnt up for talking about it because of all the BIG mess surrounding the incident... But he reiterated the fact that he wants technology to help refs... But they have their hands tied because of the Powers who run football. He said the ref didnt see it clearly, and everything went so fast.

[Bob Loblaw]

Absolute codswallop. Define 'a big game' will you? Because he's been doing it in Milan derbies and against Juventus for the past three years. He did it in Euro 2004 against Italy and against Spain in 2008. And now he is doing it against Real Madrid, arguably the biggest club game in club football. He came on half-injured and changed the match.

The fee was over-the-top on paper because he is not £40m better than Eto'o but it's not like they can't afford it. As well as that, take into consideration how Barca wanted to play a different style this season and the fact Eto'o was a moaning fuck who disrupted the dressing room (apparently).

Fair enough on the big game thing. I've just seen him fail so spectacularly to live up to the hype in the CL is what i meant i guess. Against us and United especially, had great chances in both games and missed. Chances a "big game" player doesn't miss, no matter what you're clubs record in that tournament is.

Also think people take it a little too literally when they read people calling him shit and all that. It's obviously an exaggeration to call him shit. He's obviously amongst the best strikers in the World, but imo, still some way off the likes of Torres, Drogba and Villa. I'd even have Luis Fabiano  ahead of him.

But there's no denying he's probably one of a few that can do that job Barca were after whilst still being technically very good. Not surprised either that he's coring often for them because quite frankly you'd have to be hopeless not to.

[SwedenRed]

Do you not there is a difference between a striker and a talisman, though? Would you not consider Fowler a great striker because he didn't do it in 'big matches' just to use one example off the top of my head? Or even van Nistelrooy at United? Strikers score goals, they can't always be expected to be all over the pitch, pulling their team out of the mire. Some just aren't in that mould.

I agree with you N1 Red... I think he could have been a great player a long time ago if he shook away the arrogance that plagues him. I just dont see him quite there yet.

[Spanish Fan]

I agree with you N1 Red... I think he could have been a great player a long time ago if he shook away the arrogance that plagues him. I just dont see him quite there yet.

Arrogance is a very common trait among elite players. I can name quite a few top footballers who were/are anything but modest.  Maybe what he lacks is the ability to step up when the chips are down. But playing as a center forward is not the ideal position to exert influence when your team is playing badly.

[amir87]

Not quite sure how the argument that he doesn't score in must win games comes about.
During his time at Inter there were games where the match was going nowhere only for Ibrahimovich to work his magic and score a goal out of nothing. Those games got Inter the much needed 3 points hence winning them the league eventually.
If you want to win the title every game should be must win, shouldn't it?

[amir87]

He's obviously a very good player, but I wouldn't have admitted that to Jens from Sweden. 

He would have battered you to the ground mate!

[CF999]

I'm absolutely delighted he's succeeding because it was extremely frustrtaing arguing wth the sheep who, based on watching two champions league games yearly, decided he was 'shite'.

[Terry De Niro]

He would have battered you to the ground mate!

I've had many a sleepless night since that threat..

[Agger]

A 'big game' for me isnt a derby where only 3 points are at stake... For me its in 'must win' games, for which the fella really has failed to impress.

What about when he came back from injury in the last game of the campaign and scored the goal that won the league title for Inter?

[Xxavi]

Ibra is world class for me, but I wouldn't want to compare to EtoO as of yet. EtoO won multiple league titles with Barca and two Champions League titles. He was a world class striker banging in goals for years. Ibra has done well so far, but the ultimate judgment for comparison will come after 1-2 seasons and list of titles, if any.

I am not even talking about the transfer fee. Just Messi is not on his last season level, nor is Henry, so sometimes I think Ibra didn't adapt to his role 100% as of yet, which is not surprising. Also, EtoO used to score some goals thanks to his pace, so up front we were little more mobile. Anyway, right now, I would say, he is doing good, but I will wait with my judgment until the latter stages of Champions League.

[Franck Le Poof]

Fair enough on the big game thing. I've just seen him fail so spectacularly to live up to the hype in the CL is what i meant i guess.

People say that but Inter, of all the big European clubs, have consistently failed to live up to their expectations in the Champions League. He's fucking good, but he's not the type that can carry a team on his own in those big games, and his team certainly did him few favours in that respect.

[Xxavi]

People say that but Inter, of all the big European clubs, have consistently failed to live up to their expectations in the Champions League. He's fucking good, but he's not the type that can carry a team on his own in those big games, and his team certainly did him few favours in that respect.

This is why I don't say that "Ibra is in top 5 among strikers" as of yet. EtoO scored against Chelsea, against ManU, against Madrid, basically against any top club that we met couple of times, it seems. In a match like against Chelsea last season, he will have to prove his advantage over EtoO. He has to open up spaces, hold the ball, win the crosses etc.

[C]

wasn't it ibra last game of the season, an away game inter had to win - to win the league and he scored 1 if not a brace?

[rafathegaffa83]

Class player with great technique for his size. He's definitely given Barca that added dimension and Plan B they have lacked in recent years.

A 'big game' for me isnt a derby where only 3 points are at stake... For me its in 'must win' games, for which the fella really has failed to impress.

What about Italy against Sweden at Euro 2004 when he scored that audacious back heel? I'd say that was a pretty big and decisive game.

He hasn't done it infront of the Sky or ITV camera's yet, so he must be awful.

And therein lies the rub for most people

[Alf]

I have a feeling that if he does play an English team this season with Barcelona, then he'll show the easily-led mindless SKY viewers exactly what he is capable of. He played against us for Juventus over four years ago in a tie that even Pele would have struggled in given how awesome we were. People have also seen him in an Inter Milan shirt, a team who haven't performed well in Europe since they cheated us out of the final in 1965.

Our press said the same about Eto'o and Messi prior to the CL Final this year. Been surprised with how well Zlatan has done at Barca so far though.

[Kiko Narváez]

he's class. but also there's Xavi, Iniesta, Keita, Henty, and Messi behind him..

[oyetunde]

Well, I thought he would do well but I think he is grossly overrated by Swedes (and other continental Europeans) and grossly underrated on RAWK. I would say he ranks alongside Villa. Better than Eto'o but not as good as Torres or Drogba.

are u saying dat torres is better that villa who has outscored him every time they have played in the same league/team, or is it as i think simply cause torres and that thug drogba(whos incompetence knocked chelsea out vs barca) play in england league which is the only league in the would

[Spanish Fan]

Class player with great technique for his size. He's definitely given Barca that added dimension and Plan B they have lacked in recent years.

What about Italy against Sweden at Euro 2004 when he scored that audacious back heel? I'd say that was a pretty big and decisive game.

And therein lies the rub for most people

[Gnurglan]

Don't know how much longer people will keep doubting him, but that particular case is getting thinner by the day. He's was top scorer in Serie A and he's adapted very quickly to Barca and scored plenty of goals already. The guy is a world class player. I know he's a "love him or hate him" kind of player, but the quality can't be denied when it's so obvious.

I think he's won the league title in all of his last 5-6 seasons. If he had not been so pricey, I would have liked to see him at LFC.

[Una cerveza, por favor]

are u saying dat torres is better that villa who has outscored him every time they have played in the same league/team, or is it as i think simply cause torres and that thug drogba(whos incompetence knocked chelsea out vs barca) play in england league which is the only league in the would

That is exactly what I am saying. Torres>Villa. Fact. And Drogba despite his cheating and general c*ntishness is a top, top player. I rate him higher than Villa.

[Lethal]

Zlatan's Boss.

[kungfudancer]

That is exactly what I am saying. Torres>Villa. Fact. And Drogba despite his cheating and general c*ntishness is a top, top player. I rate him higher than Villa.

why do you think drogba is better? didnt he score like 5 goals in league last season? his goal scoring record has never been that impressive, although he is in hot from now.

[Una cerveza, por favor]

why do you think drogba is better? didnt he score like 5 goals in league last season? his goal scoring record has never been that impressive, although he is in hot from now.

Well, as a defender myself, I am much more intimidated by strong, fast and powerful strikers like Drogba. He is also fast, has a good presence and isn't a bad finisher either. That's why I said I prefer Drogba rather than simply saying he's better than Villa because I could be wrong there.

[Frank.]

Always thought he was abit laxidasical and didn't show up in big games, but he really has made a terrific start for Barca and he's really gone up in my estimation

[SMD]

Really think it's time for him to step up his performances in Europe. He's got no excuses now.

[CHOPPER]

He runs dead funny.

[C]

Drogba can be, on his day the best striker in the world - the only truely unplayable striker in existance.

He has had a good few games recently, but Villa scores so many goals in a topsy turvy team who can be brilliant or dire - either way Villa will get goals.

as for Ibra, always been a huge fan and hope he bags a few in the CL now we are out to shut up a few people, his goal vs Real was an excellently controlled finish, he sticks his arms out almost as soon as the ball touches his foot, haha.

[Soap]

Still over-rated?

[Chakan]

not as good as crouch apparently....

[foreveragnome]

Still over-rated?

Yep. He's the weak link in that Barca line up for me. I hope we never see it but Barca would be unstoppable with Nando up front for them.

At least he's finally scored in England though.

[stevensr123]

zlatan = shit.

[killer_heels]

David Villa would have been the perfect signing for them.

[L6 Red]

Still over-rated?

I agree if you ignore the fact nobody seems to rate him.

[SMD]

Still over-rated?

I know it sounds like a joke given he scored twice, but he really is a donkey and should've scored more.