AXD

Why? I seem to remember both of them leaving for Manchester when they got the chance as well. The step-up when they left wasn't even that big, we were in the european spots at the time. I do agree grealish is not a legend though. You have to lead us to some tangible silverware (championship play-offs doesn't count) or stay over a decade in the first team to earn that title. The latter is probably why Gabbby is called a legend, though he didn't really do much after his first few years.

I agree If a player is not playing at the level the club wants, he should leave (eg Hourihane, Green). If a club is not playing at the level the player wants, he can't leave? that's not fair on the player Still gutted he left, but the IG post shows he left on good terms despite what people on here suggest. He left for a record fee. I wish him well except in the games against Villa.

Those stats are impressive, no way around it. Messi is a very good player. However, this is looking at sports like an American, just go by the numbers. There is more to it. A few things to keep in mind 1) Messi is a 10, the other two are 9s, so their position on the field is different as is their role. A 9 will more often be on the end of an attack. Other way round, lower on the pitch you are more involved in the build-up (passing, assists,...). For some stats, this makes Messi more impressive, others not so much (eg: I wouldn't be surprised if Mings has better stats on 'tackles' & 'recovery' than all three, because he plays in defence). Another thing invisible in stats is runs: what stat did El Ghazi get for his run against Brighton, creating space for Watkins? (other than distance covered). A 9 has to make runs to allow wingers/10s to come into play and to create space. Both Lewa and Benzema do that more often, as it's their role. 2) Messi played for Barcelona, a possession based team. Bayern and Real play more direct football, so less passing. Players for Barca often decide to pass even when they have a chance, just because some team mate could have a better chance. 3) More games played by Messi, in a way impressive, but that puts some other stats in perspective (eg Lewa has more shots on target per game) 4) Those bottom five in blue are related to team results, it's a lot harder to be man of the match in a good team than in an average team (eg Grealish), if your team mates score loads as well your goals/assists won't win matches or points on their own. 5) I always wonder what the metric is for a 'big' chance. What constitutes the difference between a 'chance' and a 'big chance' To be clear, I don't begrudge Messi the win. he is the best player out there. But he didn't have his best season and wasn't a standout player. Maybe he set the bar very high for himself, that's why people question this win. Edit: just seen @a m ole post above. Indeed where are the physical stats: headers won, duels won, distance covered, number of sprints,... ?

So as long as Messi plays, he deserves to win no matter what. Based on your logic, the better footballer should always win and Messi will always be the better footballer, regardless of form. Totally disagree btw, Messi did well in the 20/21 season, but has been mediocre since his move.

How is that an unpopular opinion? They’re the first thing I take

A good performance this. We should have gotten a second bases in performance (a penalty for the first in watkins)

Not this again

What was the opposition about this time? Of course it's politics and not giving the other side a win, but what do republicans say they do not like about the bill? Too costly? because I imagine that would be hard to sell as voters from both sides seem to agree that investments in infrastructure were very much needed.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgd85a/qanon-dallas-jfk-trump Surely Republicans can't keep associating with this

Similar to the past EC, where the new formula of playing across the entire continent (during a pandemic) was then classified afterwards as 'yeah, let's not do that again'

It is an elephant and it symbolises the republican party. Keep up.

(The) Smith(s) OUT!

there's no 3 place game in the euro's either. Only in the World Cup.

If I am not mistaken (honestly not 100% sure), the German clubs don't have this problem of massive debts. I just disagree with the whole 'you have to overspend to compete' (eg Brentford, though not at the top of the table). If you cannot afford to buy a new galactico, then don't buy one if you're already in debt. The players only ask the high wages becasue they know they will get it.

that's the superleague logic: 'I overspent in buying players and paying their wages, so now I have financial problems. Let's solve this with more games to get more revenue so I can do it all over next summer' No, don't overspend.Simple

it's not like they are important for the sport

In any job, you would change companies if they offer you 30-50% more money, but that doesn't mean companies can change a 40h workweek to a 44h workweek (unless stated in the contract). Fans are all claiming money ruins the game (hence this topic) but are not doing anything about it. Maybe players can if they speak up like this.

He's not wrong.

Didn't know that, thanks. That does mean there are quite a few coaches failing at Molde, with only one title in the last 5 years or so.

strange this. Spurs (and their supporters) happy to waste time in the corner against a team they should comfortably beat from their perspective as CL contenders. They know we are at their level and are struggling to beat us.

Well they have scored more goals than us...

Good sub, push further up the field

about time

Lampard did a season at Derby, Ole did Some seasons at Molde and I wouldn’t call Rangers a golden job. I agree with hour point that he doesn’t have an easy job though.