Topic: Spanish Football

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Hazard is a good player no doubt, but for me he has stagnated. He is the same player he has been 4 years ago. He has not reached a level where he's in the top 3, or even 5 players in the world. A good good player but he has not elevated himself higher.

[elsewhere]

Hazard is a good player no doubt, but for me he has stagnated. He is the same player he has been 4 years ago. He has not reached a level where he's in the top 3, or even 5 players in the world. A good good player but he has not elevated himself higher.

Not to mention he is a total ghost for Belgium.

[Coolie High]

You're writing just as much nonsense as Xaavi if you think Hazard is overrated, and to bring up his numbers playing under defensive minded managers two he was the POTY for when winning the league says it all. Hazard is incredible and I can't wait for him to fuck off to Madrid to prove just that, no doubt his numbers will go up playing in a dominant attacking team in a league with a bunch of shite teams apart from two.

[Advil]

Barcelona next 2 match will be away at 'boogey side' Sociedad and Betis. Hope they lose both 2 matches and Coutinho scored OG in both matches. If Atletico win both match then they will be only 3 points behind.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

You're writing just as much nonsense as Xaavi if you think Hazard is overrated, and to bring up his numbers playing under defensive minded managers two he was the POTY for when winning the league says it all. Hazard is incredible and I can't wait for him to fuck off to Madrid to prove just that, no doubt his numbers will go up playing in a dominant attacking team in a league with a bunch of shite teams apart from two.

I didn't say he isn't good, for me personally he hasn't gone to a higher level since his POTY, he's stayed about the same. A top player, but he should be doing much more at this point in his career, defensive managers or not.

[burriana]

Real Madrid in the Europa League next season. Can't see Ronaldo enjoying that prospect.

[elsewhere]

You're writing just as much nonsense as Xaavi if you think Hazard is overrated, and to bring up his numbers playing under defensive minded managers two he was the POTY for when winning the league says it all. Hazard is incredible and I can't wait for him to fuck off to Madrid to prove just that, no doubt his numbers will go up playing in a dominant attacking team in a league with a bunch of shite teams apart from two.

So the difference between Salah and Hazard’s stats is Conte being defensive minded? You are also ignoring the fact that Hazard has been with Chelsea for 5 years now and he knows system of Conte. This is Salah’s first year with us and under a new manager, which makes his numbers even more impressive. Bakayoko has same number of assists as Hazard (2). Alonso has same number of goals. Yes he is a very good player but quite overrated imo.

[BER]

Good to see it's not just Pep Guardiola you write a load of absolute drivel on.

Last season was great, City struggled and Xxavi wasn't anywhere near as active.

[Coolie High]

So the difference between Salah and Hazard’s stats is Conte being defensive minded? You are also ignoring the fact that Hazard has been with Chelsea for 5 years now and he knows system of Conte. This is Salah’s first year with us and under a new manager, which makes his numbers even more impressive. Bakayoko has same number of assists as Hazard (2). Alonso has same number of goals. Yes he is a very good player but quite overrated imo.

No the difference is that Salah is a more decisive attacker in front of goal, he is a better finisher makes better runs, while Hazard is by far the better playmaker.

Klopp himself said Chelseas tactics against us was simply defend well and deep then give it to Hazard, well it's been like that for him for the last 4 seasons at least, still didn't stop him from putting in the best performance any opposition attacker has at Anfield this season.

He is a special special footballer to be honest, maybe more of a throwback to when everyone wasn't stat obsessed and could appreciate other aspects of football, I wouldn't call Imiesta overrated and he spent a lot of his career playing in the same position Hazard does.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

No the difference is that Salah is a more decisive attacker in front of goal, he is a better finisher makes better runs, while Hazard is by far the better playmaker.

Klopp himself said Chelseas tactics against us was simply defend well and deep then give it to Hazard, well it's been like that for him for the last 4 seasons at least, still didn't stop him from putting in the best performance any opposition attacker has at Anfield this season.

He is a special special footballer to be honest, maybe more of a throwback to when everyone wasn't stat obsessed and could appreciate other aspects of football, I wouldn't call Imiesta overrated and he spent a lot of his career playing in the same position Hazard does.

Iniesta and Hazard don't play in the same position nor do they have the same role. You are comparing apples to oranges.

[Coolie High]

Iniesta and Hazard don't play in the same position nor do they have the same role. You are comparing apples to oranges.

Same position at times is that left side of midfield/forward line, Iniesta played in the front three many a time, the roles are different because Iniesta is even more of a facilitator or playmaker.

I think you'll be surprised to see how deep Hazard drops at time, especially under Mourinho.

Even under Conte "deep defending then give it to Hazard, wow".

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-boss-jurgen-klopp-sums-13954528

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Same position at times is that left side of midfield/forward line, Iniesta played in the front three many a time, the roles are different because Iniesta is even more of a facilitator or playmaker.

I think you'll be surprised to see how deep Hazard drops at time, especially under Mourinho.

Even under Conte "deep defending then give it to Hazard, wow".

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-boss-jurgen-klopp-sums-13954528

Iniesta has obviously played there, but he has spent most of his career, certainly the last ten years, playing in midfield.

He's very good on the ball [Hazard] but he isn't Iniesta, he doesn't possess the same ability as he does, to control a game, to keep the ball like Iniesta does.

Iniesta is one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game. Hazard is not [yet]

[Gerry Attrick]

I used to be very much in the Hazard is overrated camp, but I'm beginning to come around after seeing Chelsea a couple of times this season. When Fabregas isn't on the pitch he is their only creative player and he looks levels above his teammates. If you can manage to limit his influence on proceedings you go a long way to stopping Chelsea.

[jooneyisdagod]

I used to be very much in the Hazard is overrated camp, but I'm beginning to come around after seeing Chelsea a couple of times this season. When Fabregas isn't on the pitch he is their only creative player and he looks levels above his teammates. If you can manage to limit his influence on proceedings you go a long way to stopping Chelsea.

Hazard is a sensational talent and has been wasted by successive defensive managers. Chelsea to be fair have never been a particularly great attacking team for more than a decade now. Their success has been built on a blueprint of solid defence and a midfield of power over finesse. Hazard in a team like ours would be devastating though he already is for the most part exactly that.

[mersey_paradiso]

Zidane will be gone either before or at the end of the season.

Sign Kane, Hazard, De Bruyne and Aguero please Florentino you c*nt. 

And leave Salah alone !!

[Geppvindh's]

Kane is nailed on to go to Madrid next season. They'll be dumping Benzema in the process. Hazard too I think is on his way there. That's Benzema and Bale replaced. We'll have to wait and see what happens to Zidane.

[Suareznumber7]

Yes please Madrid, sign Kane. Then Hazard.

I think they will go after these two and Courtois as well.

[Suareznumber7]

Real Madrid in the Europa League next season. Can't see Ronaldo enjoying that prospect.

I can see Ronaldo making a dramatic return to Utd to get another massive payday and really who’s ever how far he has fallen

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

Zidane will be gone either before or at the end of the season.

Sign Kane, Hazard, De Bruyne and Aguero please Florentino you c*nt. 

And leave Salah alone !!

And DeGea!

[Xxavi]

What is this based on? Salah this season is better than him and if he keeps his performances up, he will have had a better season than Hazard has ever had. He has more goals, more assists, and a better average rating per game in the CL and Premier League according to whoscored.com

Because football is more than numbers. Hazard is absolutely carrying Chelsea's attack. He has been magical, going past players at will, creating chances for fun. If he had a better striker partner than Morata, his assists would be off the chart, too.

If Hazard joins Barca with Suarez and Messi, Bayern with Lewandowski, or Madrid with Ronaldo/Bale, his numbers would look a lot different, too. His numbers would look a lot different at Liverpool, too, by the way, due to Liverpool's playing style under Klopp.

[Xxavi]

Barcelona next 2 match will be away at 'boogey side' Sociedad and Betis. Hope they lose both 2 matches and Coutinho scored OG in both matches. If Atletico win both match then they will be only 3 points behind.

Mate, let's not hope for that. Barca may start thinking of bolstering our attack by looking at high scoring wingers like Salah, if what you say happens

[Xxavi]

Seriously though, re-Coutinho's transfer, I was against this mostly because of his price tag. He will improve Barca, he is a quality player. But I look back at the times when Barca had 9/11 homegrown players in CL winning teams. The popular answer is "Barca don't have the same talent in the academy any more", but I disagree. I am convinced we don't even get to know about it as recent Barca managers don't even give Barca youngsters a chance to shine and develop in the first team. A Thiago won't emerge any time soon. It is more likely that young players would leave like Cesc, Pique, Thiago, Bellerin etc. and then Barca would need to pay $$$ to get them back.

It's a shame. Barca youngsters prove that they are among the best year after year in all sorts of youth tournaments. We have the likes of Samper who was wanted by top European clubs. He stayed, and now, he is about to become a nobody. Just this past summer Barca youngsters shined in multiple UEFA/FIFA tournaments. Interestingly, Coutinho's own story is the same. He didn't get a chance to shine at Inter Milan, left for Espanyol and then Liverpool. I am hoping that Valverde has at least some plan re-game time for Barca kids.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

Seriously though, re-Coutinho's transfer, I was against this mostly because of his price tag. He will improve Barca, he is a quality player. But I look back at the times when Barca had 9/11 homegrown players in CL winning teams. The popular answer is "Barca don't have the same talent in the academy any more", but I disagree. I am convinced we don't even get to know about it as recent Barca managers don't even give Barca youngsters a chance to shine and develop in the first team. A Thiago won't emerge any time soon. It is more likely that young players would leave like Cesc, Pique, Thiago, Bellerin etc. and then Barca would need to pay $$$ to get them back.

It's a shame. Barca youngsters prove that they are among the best year after year in all sorts of youth tournaments. We have the likes of Samper who was wanted by top European clubs. He stayed, and now, he is about to become a nobody. Just this past summer Barca youngsters shined in multiple UEFA/FIFA tournaments. Interestingly, Coutinho's own story is the same. He didn't get a chance to shine at Inter Milan, left for Espanyol and then Liverpool. I am hoping that Valverde has at least some plan re-game time for Barca kids.

Coutinho likes to keep the ball - sometimes too long. Messi won't tolerate that.

[elpistolero7]

Barca really fucked up on transfer policy.

They've spent 142 million to buy Iniesta's heir, when Thiago was sitting and stewing there, and has gone and torn shit up in Germany.

How do they have this kind of money? They blew most of Neymar's money on Dembele didn't they?

[ElMagico]

Because football is more than numbers. Hazard is absolutely carrying Chelsea's attack. He has been magical, going past players at will, creating chances for fun. If he had a better striker partner than Morata, his assists would be off the chart, too.

If Hazard joins Barca with Suarez and Messi, Bayern with Lewandowski, or Madrid with Ronaldo/Bale, his numbers would look a lot different, too. His numbers would look a lot different at Liverpool, too, by the way, due to Liverpool's playing style under Klopp.

Put Andrey Voronin in Barcas team or Madrids team and his numbers would be great.
You don't half talk some bollox.

So because a player 'goes past players', not like Salah cannot take on a man, or 'create chances' not like Salah hasn't got any assists plus all the ones missed he is twice the player?

Absolute garbage. You don't score 17 goals if your shit. Hazard has scored 6, have the keepers been more on form against Hazard? That is what you will be saying next

[Xxavi]

^ I never said Salah is shit. Hazard is much better than him, that is what I said.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

^ I never said Salah is shit. Hazard is much better than him, that is what I said.

You said Salah is not even half the player Hazard is, which is bullshit.

[ElMagico]

^ I never said Salah is shit. Hazard is much better than him, that is what I said.

Much better based on what? Goals, Assists? Winning games? Winning awards?

Oh wait, none of those

[Roger Federer]

^ I never said Salah is shit. Hazard is much better than him, that is what I said.

As a footballer Hazard is fantastic and he carries his team in attack. It’s fair, not least based on more than this season, to say he’s better than Salah, but much better? I don’t know, Salah is having an outstanding season and not just in terms of goals.

[elsewhere]

Atletico is playing a strong team against Lleida in the cup, still struggling to score. 0-0 and almost HT. They are a bit boring to watch, not United level yet but still boring

[Gerry Attrick]

Atletico is playing a strong team against Lleida in the cup, still struggling to score. 0-0 and almost HT. They are a bit boring to watch, not United level yet but still boring

They're horrible to watch.

[iamnant]

Sorry to ask something which has probably been covered before, numerous times I would imagine, but is there a reason to Real Madrid's change of transfer policy away from signing Galacticos more or less every summer?

Since James Rodriguez back in 2014, they've not signed any 'star' players and haven't been one of the biggest spenders in Europe. Is this a change of policy because they've been winning so much, have such a strong, balanced team or is there another issue?

Seems odd that in their current predicament that they aren't doing a Barca and unsettling some superstars for a record transfer.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

R.Madrid are reminding me of Inter after shitcoat left. Bunch of old and injury prone players.

[disgraced cake]

Sorry to ask something which has probably been covered before, numerous times I would imagine, but is there a reason to Real Madrid's change of transfer policy away from signing Galacticos more or less every summer?

Since James Rodriguez back in 2014, they've not signed any 'star' players and haven't been one of the biggest spenders in Europe. Is this a change of policy because they've been winning so much, have such a strong, balanced team or is there another issue?

Seems odd that in their current predicament that they aren't doing a Barca and unsettling some superstars for a record transfer.

Think this is probably going to be the summer where they start again. Definitely one where I could see them spending 200 million at least, especially considering most people thought they'd be comfortable winning the title again, and look what's happened.

I think Benzema's finished there, Ronaldo is going to be 33, so they'll want to find a younger alternative I imagine, and other key players like Modric and Ramos aren't getting younger. Bale as well, he can't exactly be relied on can he.

[Gerry Attrick]

I could see Real spending over 300m to be honest. I'm expecting 3 or 4 massive signings and they don't come cheap these days. They'll make a statement. Wouldn't be too surprised to see Neymar lacing it up for them next season.

[Chris~]

Didn't they spend something like £40m on a 16 year old last summer?

Imagine Mbappe would have gone there this summer if PSG hadn't jumped in as well.

[Gerry Attrick]

Didn't they spend something like £40m on a 16 year old last summer?

Imagine Mbappe would have gone there this summer if PSG hadn't jumped in as well.

I think Everton spent about the same on transfer fees this summer as Real have over the last 3 combined.

[iamnant]

Yeah you can definitely feel a big summer coming up. Bale is unfortunately injury prone, Ronaldo is only going one way and Benzema is looking less and less like a Madrid striker.

Question is, who would be their Galactico singings?

[Xxavi]

Vietto is having a good start to his Valencia career. Always thought he is a good pass and move player. Atleticos game is not for him.

[Gerry Attrick]

Vietto is having a good start to his Valencia career. Always thought he is a good pass and move player. Atleticos game is not for him.

Yeah, I said the other day that he could be a very good signing as he played well under Marcellino previously.

Never knew Paco Jemez was back in La Liga, now there's a guy that likes attacking football.