Not sure you can blame ETH for recruitment. But there is plenty he doesn’t seem to be doing right.
Rashford has gone from being able to walk into most teams in the world, to a player I’d not play in West Ham’s reserves.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The 2024-2025 Football Thread
- Thread starter Scepticalscribe
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Rashford has gone from being able to walk into most teams in the world, to a player I’d not play in West Ham’s reserves.
Antony and Onana are on the payroll because ETH wanted them. So far they look like awful signings.
On the other hand, he did choose Licha, who has been very good when fit. I still think Højlund will be good, but he's still very young and currently injured. Casemiro wasn't ETH's choice, but was a last minute stopgap after they spent so much time chasing de Jong. Mason Mount, I have absolutely no idea why United signed him or who advocated for him.
Azerbajdzjan - Sweden 1-3
Happy that our Swedish male team are having better games and atmosphere with their new national team captain, Jon Dahl Tomasson, then with the earlier clown.
It was no broadcast, but from what I heard and read, it was a good 1st competitive match in Nations League for them against Azerbajdzjan. A lot of younger Swedish guys in the team now, and I need to inform myself more about them for sure, but cool.
I lost all interest with the old setup, but not because of the guys, but the clown that were suppose to lead them. But he sure did, but not to any harmony for the players.
Happy that our Swedish male team are having better games and atmosphere with their new national team captain, Jon Dahl Tomasson, then with the earlier clown.
It was no broadcast, but from what I heard and read, it was a good 1st competitive match in Nations League for them against Azerbajdzjan. A lot of younger Swedish guys in the team now, and I need to inform myself more about them for sure, but cool.
I lost all interest with the old setup, but not because of the guys, but the clown that were suppose to lead them. But he sure did, but not to any harmony for the players.
vs
I cannot stand loopholes. Remember the racist chant towards French players by the Argentinian players during celebrations of winning the Copa America? Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez was caught in a mobile phone video of a number of Argentinian players singing the racist chant. Because Enzo plays in an FA sanctioned league and therefore as FA licensed player (have to be FA licensed to be able to play in any of the English leagues) which means he acts as a representative of the FA by the mere fact of being an FA licensed player, the FA was going to punish Enzo but according to a number of UK football press articles, Enzo cannot be punished by the FA because of a loophole in football disciplinary procedures/rules. What the news articles are pointing out is that because the racist chanting was done on international duty during the time of the Copa America, only the governing body of the event and the world governing body, in this case CONEMBOL (organizers of the Copa America tournament) and FIFA (the world governing body), can hand out punishments, the English FA have no jurisdiction. This means Enzo cannot be given any league game bans only international game bans for his racist chanting. Chelsea can fine him for breaking their rules but that is about it.
The reason the UK media is picking this up because Spurs player Rodrigo Bentancur was charged by the FA for making racist comments about Spurs team captain Son Heung-min and the reason why the FA were able to do this is because Bentancur made the comments during a TV interview in Uruguay not under the guise of international duty meaning he was acting as a Spurs player ergo he can be charged by the FA. He is expected to get a 12 game ban which is what football critics were expecting Enzo to get until the loop hole manifested itself.
The news articles also point out that Manchester City's Rodri escaped FA punishment under the same loop hole when he made disparaging comments about Gibraltar during Spain's recent Euro triumph celebrations. UEFA gave him a international one match ban, much much less than what the FA would have done.
Which is why when you read the news articles you get a sense the author of the articles are not happy that Enzo caught singing a racist chant about France will escape severe punishment.
The reason the UK media is picking this up because Spurs player Rodrigo Bentancur was charged by the FA for making racist comments about Spurs team captain Son Heung-min and the reason why the FA were able to do this is because Bentancur made the comments during a TV interview in Uruguay not under the guise of international duty meaning he was acting as a Spurs player ergo he can be charged by the FA. He is expected to get a 12 game ban which is what football critics were expecting Enzo to get until the loop hole manifested itself.
The news articles also point out that Manchester City's Rodri escaped FA punishment under the same loop hole when he made disparaging comments about Gibraltar during Spain's recent Euro triumph celebrations. UEFA gave him a international one match ban, much much less than what the FA would have done.
Which is why when you read the news articles you get a sense the author of the articles are not happy that Enzo caught singing a racist chant about France will escape severe punishment.
Football profiles and people from Värmland bid farewell to “Svennis”: “Had the ability to see everyone”
Football profiles and ordinary people from large parts of Värmland and even further away said goodbye today to Sven-Göran “Svennis” Eriksson, who was buried in Fryksände Church in Torsby.
Among the guests, David Beckham was the most famous. Svennis’ companion Tord Grip was, of course, present, as well as former national team coach Tommy Söderberg and parts of IFK Göteborg with the 1982 team at the forefront.
From later generations, Kim Källström from the Swedish Football Association was there, alongside Andrea Möllerberg.
Of course, Svennis’ family was also present. His 95-year-old father, Sven Eriksson, had to bury his son, who lived to be 76.
– He enjoyed the good life with fine meals and drinks and loved to travel in first class; he was a great hedonist, said assistant minister Ingela Älvskog, who led the ceremony at Fryksände Church. Her words were translated into English by priest candidate Drew Baldwin.
Among the song choices were “Amazing Grace,” Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” “Volare,” Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” and finally “Värmlandsvisan” performed by Sven-Ingvars frontman Oscar Magnusson.
“Had the ability to see everyone”
– He had an iron will and never gave up and had the ability to see everyone and was very respectful. Despite the illness, the last period was full of life and he could meet all the tributes in person. We remember how he walked out with his grandchild Sky hand in hand at Liverpool's arena. Many of you carry his coaching work in your hearts.
Outside the church, which accommodated 600 people (150 specially invited), hundreds of people gathered to follow the ceremony on a large screen, many with chairs they had brought with them.
Additionally, around a hundred media representatives were present. British Sky Sports and BBC broadcast live with a reporter reporting outside the church.
– Sven-Göran was never late. Preferably five to ten minutes early. Taking it easy on vacation was never an option. It was breakfast at 08:00, a walk at 09:00, and so it went on. There had to be routines, said assistant minister Ingela Älvskog.
– Take care. We will meet again. We believe that there is something beyond the mountains and that God will receive us with open arms at the last gate. We hope to be reunited again someday.
(From svt.se)
He had many friends and people that liked him here, on the other side of Europe. We won't forget him.
Last edited:
They are looking pretty dire to be honest. They have a good manager in terms of getting them out of it, but has he still got the dressing room? They need a win fast.
We salvaged a draw that we probably didn’t really deserve tbh. But there you go. Hopefully all the new faces can start to settle in along with the new managers vision for the team.
I saw part of that game, and Everton were in it most of the way. They have yet to win a game, but they look at least fairly competent. What I saw looked like a breaking-style team, that relies on fast plays rather than ball control. I mean, look at Forest, that just won in Anfield controlling the ball for 30% of the game: all it takes is that one goal.
Harvey Barnes is an asset for Howe. Very good at effecting games when he comes on
Arsenal's defence flex their muscles in the NLD. Saliba/Gabriel probably the best partnership in Europe currently.
Gone are the days of Kane, Bale, Van der vaart, Alli, Modric, Eriksen. Spurs' forward line look remarkably toothless.
Arsenal's defence flex their muscles in the NLD. Saliba/Gabriel probably the best partnership in Europe currently.
Gone are the days of Kane, Bale, Van der vaart, Alli, Modric, Eriksen. Spurs' forward line look remarkably toothless.
Delighted with our point at Brighton on Saturday. On another day it could have probably been 3 or 4-0 to Brighton but we rode our luck at times and defended really well.
A huge weekend ahead now, where we face Southampton and it's Leicester v Everton. Big chance to hopefully get our first win and push on from there. But to be above the relegation zone after playing Liverpool, Manchester City & Brighton in our first 4 games is a great building block.
A huge weekend ahead now, where we face Southampton and it's Leicester v Everton. Big chance to hopefully get our first win and push on from there. But to be above the relegation zone after playing Liverpool, Manchester City & Brighton in our first 4 games is a great building block.
Today is the day when the Premier league and Man City go head to head with the 115 charges against them. It is expected to take 10 weeks with a final decision being made in early 2025. I bet the camps of Everton and Notts Forest are looking at this case with interest. Especially when you consider Man City are denying all 115 charges against them.
Where do you lot stand on this?
Basically Man City's Rodri is complaining the new format champions league and new format world club cup means teams could end up playing more games in a season than before. In the BBC article it mentions that Rodri appeared 63 times for club and country, that means he appeared on the pitch 63 times in a year which he say's he 'need's a rest'. I can only assume the rest of the year he was training and having days off.
I did some checking, the majority of workers work a 5 day week (yes I know many people also work weekends but just for arguments sake lets stick to the traditional 5 day working week). So, minus weekends, it means there is 261 working days in a year (different when it's a leap year). Many workers also get holidays (paid or unpaid) and national holidays. Therefore lets for arguments sake an employee gets 20 paid company holidays and 6 national holidays. This makes the total of there being 235 working days in a year if an employee were to take all their allocated holidays as well.
As well all know, there many physical labor intensive jobs in the world and these people will be working 235 days a year. Rodri is complaining about being tired out after only having played 63 times in the year..63!!!. Yes I know they run around for 90mins but Rodri only did that 63 times last year when there are millions upon millions of people around the world putting in sometimes 12 hr hard days work 5 times a week just to be able to put food on the table and here we have a multimillionaire player complaining that he may to have play more games due to the changing format of the champions league and the world club cup.
I know my wording may appear biased towards Rodri but what do you lot think. Do you think his complaints are justified when you consider how many days of the year he actually appeared for club and country? Do you also think it is wrong to compare his job profession to that of others who work extremely hard 235 days of the year because that is what their job profession requires of them?
Note: Before anyone thinks of mentioning it, yes I do know footballers do more than just the 90mins of a football game BUT they are not exerting themselves 5 days a week like many workers have to do if they want to feed themselves and their family. I know footballers need to keep fit so they have days when they are at the gym, the have 'drill' days out on the training pitch, they have 'tactic drills' so they are ready for their up and coming game. They do this for a few hours a day. It is not done all day. So for most of the day they are in 'winddown mode', seeing the physio, looking at games of their next opponent. I just wanted to make it clear that a footballer is not physically exerting themselves 8-12 hours a day like many many workers do.
Manchester City: Rodri says players 'close' to striking because of fixture increase
Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to striking in protest at an increase in fixtures.
www.bbc.co.uk
Basically Man City's Rodri is complaining the new format champions league and new format world club cup means teams could end up playing more games in a season than before. In the BBC article it mentions that Rodri appeared 63 times for club and country, that means he appeared on the pitch 63 times in a year which he say's he 'need's a rest'. I can only assume the rest of the year he was training and having days off.
I did some checking, the majority of workers work a 5 day week (yes I know many people also work weekends but just for arguments sake lets stick to the traditional 5 day working week). So, minus weekends, it means there is 261 working days in a year (different when it's a leap year). Many workers also get holidays (paid or unpaid) and national holidays. Therefore lets for arguments sake an employee gets 20 paid company holidays and 6 national holidays. This makes the total of there being 235 working days in a year if an employee were to take all their allocated holidays as well.
As well all know, there many physical labor intensive jobs in the world and these people will be working 235 days a year. Rodri is complaining about being tired out after only having played 63 times in the year..63!!!. Yes I know they run around for 90mins but Rodri only did that 63 times last year when there are millions upon millions of people around the world putting in sometimes 12 hr hard days work 5 times a week just to be able to put food on the table and here we have a multimillionaire player complaining that he may to have play more games due to the changing format of the champions league and the world club cup.
I know my wording may appear biased towards Rodri but what do you lot think. Do you think his complaints are justified when you consider how many days of the year he actually appeared for club and country? Do you also think it is wrong to compare his job profession to that of others who work extremely hard 235 days of the year because that is what their job profession requires of them?
Note: Before anyone thinks of mentioning it, yes I do know footballers do more than just the 90mins of a football game BUT they are not exerting themselves 5 days a week like many workers have to do if they want to feed themselves and their family. I know footballers need to keep fit so they have days when they are at the gym, the have 'drill' days out on the training pitch, they have 'tactic drills' so they are ready for their up and coming game. They do this for a few hours a day. It is not done all day. So for most of the day they are in 'winddown mode', seeing the physio, looking at games of their next opponent. I just wanted to make it clear that a footballer is not physically exerting themselves 8-12 hours a day like many many workers do.
Last edited:
Barcelona have announced that Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí has signed a new four-year contract, extending her stay at the club until 2028. Sources says that Bonmati becomes the highest-paid player in Women's football.
Cristian Martín, Bonmatí's agent, revealed last week that Chelsea were prepared to pay the €3 million ($3.3m) release clause included in her last contract.
What Barça will pay her is not public, that Women's contracts seldom are in Women's Football.
www.fcbarcelona.com
Cristian Martín, Bonmatí's agent, revealed last week that Chelsea were prepared to pay the €3 million ($3.3m) release clause included in her last contract.
What Barça will pay her is not public, that Women's contracts seldom are in Women's Football.
Agreement to extend Aitana Bonmatí's contract to 2028
Current Ballon d'Or holder to remain at FC Barcelona through to 30 June 2028
he he heWhere do you lot stand on this?
Manchester City: Rodri says players 'close' to striking because of fixture increase
Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to striking in protest at an increase in fixtures.www.bbc.co.uk
Basically Man City's Rodri is complaining the new format champions league and new format world club cup means teams could end up playing more games in a season than before. In the BBC article it mentions that Rodri appeared 63 times for club and country, that means he appeared on the pitch 63 times in a year which he say's he 'need's a rest'. I can only assume the rest of the year he was training and having days off.
I did some checking, the majority of workers work a 5 day week (yes I know many people also work weekends but just for arguments sake lets stick to the traditional 5 day working week). So, minus weekends, it means there is 261 working days in a year (different when it's a leap year). Many workers also get holidays (paid or unpaid) and national holidays. Therefore lets for arguments sake an employee gets 20 paid company holidays and 6 national holidays. This makes the total of there being 235 working days in a year if an employee were to take all their allocated holidays as well.
As well all know, there many physical labor intensive jobs in the world and these people will be working 235 days a year. Rodri is complaining about being tired out after only having played 63 times in the year..63!!!. Yes I know they run around for 90mins but Rodri only did that 63 times last year when there are millions upon millions of people around the world putting in sometimes 12 hr hard days work 5 times a week just to be able to put food on the table and here we have a multimillionaire player complaining that he may to have play more games due to the changing format of the champions league and the world club cup.
I know my wording may appear biased towards Rodri but what do you lot think. Do you think his complaints are justified when you consider how many days of the year he actually appeared for club and country? Do you also think it is wrong to compare his job profession to that of others who work extremely hard 235 days of the year because that is what their job profession requires of them?
Note: Before anyone thinks of mentioning it, yes I do know footballers do more than just the 90mins of a football game BUT they are not exerting themselves 5 days a week like many workers have to do if they want to feed themselves and their family. I know footballers need to keep feet so they have days when they are at the gym, the have 'drill' days out on the training pitch, they have 'tactic drills' so they are ready for their up and coming game. They do this for a few hours a day. It is not done all day. So for most of the day they are in 'winddown mode', seeing the physio, looking at games of their next opponent. I just wanted to make it clear that a footballer is not physically exerting themselves 8-12 hours a day like many many workers do.
Quite the can of worms you've opened.
Honestly, I have very little sympathy for professional athletes who complain about stuff like this.
As a former educator I find this type of hubris, for lack of a better term, pretty ridiculous.
I am anxiously anticipating @Scepticalscribe 's take on this... among others...
Last edited:
Don't think it was ever really in doubt she would leave Barca. Catalonian through and through.Barcelona have announced that Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí has signed a new four-year contract, extending her stay at the club until 2028. Sources says that Bonmati becomes the highest-paid player in Women's football.
Cristian Martín, Bonmatí's agent, revealed last week that Chelsea were prepared to pay the €3 million ($3.3m) release clause included in her last contract.
What Barça will pay her is not public, that Women's contracts seldom are in Women's Football.
Agreement to extend Aitana Bonmatí's contract to 2028
Current Ballon d'Or holder to remain at FC Barcelona through to 30 June 2028
He's become very opinionated. I get he's won some trophies recently but he's not exactly doing for free. He's on £220k pw and thats probably gonna increase with a new deal. And has access to the best of most things in life.Where do you lot stand on this?
Manchester City: Rodri says players 'close' to striking because of fixture increase
Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to striking in protest at an increase in fixtures.www.bbc.co.uk
Basically Man City's Rodri is complaining the new format champions league and new format world club cup means teams could end up playing more games in a season than before. In the BBC article it mentions that Rodri appeared 63 times for club and country, that means he appeared on the pitch 63 times in a year which he say's he 'need's a rest'. I can only assume the rest of the year he was training and having days off.
I did some checking, the majority of workers work a 5 day week (yes I know many people also work weekends but just for arguments sake lets stick to the traditional 5 day working week). So, minus weekends, it means there is 261 working days in a year (different when it's a leap year). Many workers also get holidays (paid or unpaid) and national holidays. Therefore lets for arguments sake an employee gets 20 paid company holidays and 6 national holidays. This makes the total of there being 235 working days in a year if an employee were to take all their allocated holidays as well.
As well all know, there many physical labor intensive jobs in the world and these people will be working 235 days a year. Rodri is complaining about being tired out after only having played 63 times in the year..63!!!. Yes I know they run around for 90mins but Rodri only did that 63 times last year when there are millions upon millions of people around the world putting in sometimes 12 hr hard days work 5 times a week just to be able to put food on the table and here we have a multimillionaire player complaining that he may to have play more games due to the changing format of the champions league and the world club cup.
I know my wording may appear biased towards Rodri but what do you lot think. Do you think his complaints are justified when you consider how many days of the year he actually appeared for club and country? Do you also think it is wrong to compare his job profession to that of others who work extremely hard 235 days of the year because that is what their job profession requires of them?
Note: Before anyone thinks of mentioning it, yes I do know footballers do more than just the 90mins of a football game BUT they are not exerting themselves 5 days a week like many workers have to do if they want to feed themselves and their family. I know footballers need to keep feet so they have days when they are at the gym, the have 'drill' days out on the training pitch, they have 'tactic drills' so they are ready for their up and coming game. They do this for a few hours a day. It is not done all day. So for most of the day they are in 'winddown mode', seeing the physio, looking at games of their next opponent. I just wanted to make it clear that a footballer is not physically exerting themselves 8-12 hours a day like many many workers do.
The players will be fine.
Whilst i do detest UEFA and FIFA and think they've essentially rebadged a super league to generate more income, my sympathy for the players is less. As Tebas has said its basically the same top 200 players playing all the games. And their clubs will be financially rewarded which usually means they'll get a slice so...*shrug*
Last edited:
It is laughable that arguably the best women's football player in the world has a release clause of €3 million ($3.3m) and yet there are tens of thousands of male player's that are not fit to clean her boots have releases clauses in the tens of millions.
I remember the AC Milan days of the late 80's early 90's where they effectively had a squad full of players that was so good that they could field two separate teams for league and cup competitions and they did and it worked, winning the league and the champions league. Many teams have come close over the years but nothing like what AC Milan was able to achieve. Those days have long gone so yep it will basically be the same 200 players playing the game.
Absolutely, but I think most women realized a long time ago, in football, sports in general as well as in other matters, it's useless to fight or even compare us with men.
Just a waste of energy, we fight for our cause, not against or comparing us with men whatsoever.
Spent quite a bit of time in the car today and they played an interview with Alison basically saying the same thing.Where do you lot stand on this?
Manchester City: Rodri says players 'close' to striking because of fixture increase
Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to striking in protest at an increase in fixtures.www.bbc.co.uk
Basically Man City's Rodri is complaining the new format champions league and new format world club cup means teams could end up playing more games in a season than before. In the BBC article it mentions that Rodri appeared 63 times for club and country, that means he appeared on the pitch 63 times in a year which he say's he 'need's a rest'. I can only assume the rest of the year he was training and having days off.
I did some checking, the majority of workers work a 5 day week (yes I know many people also work weekends but just for arguments sake lets stick to the traditional 5 day working week). So, minus weekends, it means there is 261 working days in a year (different when it's a leap year). Many workers also get holidays (paid or unpaid) and national holidays. Therefore lets for arguments sake an employee gets 20 paid company holidays and 6 national holidays. This makes the total of there being 235 working days in a year if an employee were to take all their allocated holidays as well.
As well all know, there many physical labor intensive jobs in the world and these people will be working 235 days a year. Rodri is complaining about being tired out after only having played 63 times in the year..63!!!. Yes I know they run around for 90mins but Rodri only did that 63 times last year when there are millions upon millions of people around the world putting in sometimes 12 hr hard days work 5 times a week just to be able to put food on the table and here we have a multimillionaire player complaining that he may to have play more games due to the changing format of the champions league and the world club cup.
I know my wording may appear biased towards Rodri but what do you lot think. Do you think his complaints are justified when you consider how many days of the year he actually appeared for club and country? Do you also think it is wrong to compare his job profession to that of others who work extremely hard 235 days of the year because that is what their job profession requires of them?
Note: Before anyone thinks of mentioning it, yes I do know footballers do more than just the 90mins of a football game BUT they are not exerting themselves 5 days a week like many workers have to do if they want to feed themselves and their family. I know footballers need to keep fit so they have days when they are at the gym, the have 'drill' days out on the training pitch, they have 'tactic drills' so they are ready for their up and coming game. They do this for a few hours a day. It is not done all day. So for most of the day they are in 'winddown mode', seeing the physio, looking at games of their next opponent. I just wanted to make it clear that a footballer is not physically exerting themselves 8-12 hours a day like many many workers do.
I mean come on your a goal keeper. You do even less week than an outfield player!
Yes I have little sympathy for players earning £100k a week.
But who’s interested in the club WC? Or in extending the Champions League to include even more clubs that aren’t Champions.