johnnythefirst

Actually, English sides never REALLY ruled Europe in the past decade. Chelsea and United came close, but there was always Barca, Real, Bayern and (until recently) Milan to compete with, who were better most of the time. There was one completely English CL final in I don't even know how many years. There's been two Spanish finals in the last three years. You've had the strongest league for years, but you never really had the absolute strongest teams. Even Fergie's 90's Man Utd wasn't the strongest team in the world at the time, that would have been Juve/Barca.

This rivalry is weird to me actually. There are some Belgian teams I really really hate, but if they're playing in Europe, I'd always support them. Kind of a national pride thing (and as Belgians we barely have national pride outside sports. :p)

I really think he's finished on the top level. I don't know how many years he's still under contract but they can't risk losing a defender after 5 minutes in every big match...

I just want him to get at least one more chance to go for an international cup. I don't think he'll get it though. That's why I want to see him lead the national team should he retire. Image they make it. I'd cry like a bitch. Best story ever.

Goddamned Kompany. Heartbreaking. Sorry to say this on a Chelsea forum again, but I genuinely feel bad for him now. He works so fucking hard and it's just over and out. If he's forced to retire, I'd kick Wilmots out and make him NT manager in a heartbeat.

Read it in a Belgian newspaper today. Original source: Mundo Deportivo.

That he wants to go to a "Winning team" or something like that. Don't know the source or whether it was bullshit or not.

Are you serious? What would make you feel safe, a brick wall?

Hmm, after his last few comments, chances are he'll be gone this summer. There are only three clubs able to buy him (Bayern has no need of him and they'll never sell him to a PL rival) and I can't see him going to PSG. I think he'd prefer going back to Atletico, but that's not an option budgetwise. It's either Barca or Real, but I still think he'll eventually stay.

I've noticed that too. He's probably playing the CL finals again as well. Very strange.

Not really in my eyes. His natural position seems to be DM (6), but for Belgium he often played higher on the pitch. He'd be close to KDB or whatever playmaker we had with Witsel in his back. He's more versatile than Ramires and would probably offer more to the team. Don't just see him as a workhorse, the guy is a great counter attacker for example. Does not slow down the game at all - in stark contrast with Witsel in recent years.

What a beast. Such a shame he had to wait until his mid twenties to get true recognition.

Didn't think he'd leave Italy, but if true this is a fantastic transfer. He's a hardworking bully, but he also has a good pass, good technique and a very decent long range shot. Very good start to fixing the Chelsea midfield problems. Absolutely essential player to the Belgian NT in my opinion as well. Better than Witsel and much better than Fellaini on that position.

Might be actually rested for the first time in 2 years.

Courtois is far from dumb, he just doesn't give a fuck about what people think of him. 'Boohoo, he's telling the truth so he must be dumb.' He knows he's not gonna win any more prizes with this defense in front of him so he says what he thinks. 'Invest in a better team or i'm off.'

Well Duh. Why lie?

We miss 4 of our best players and we can still field a more than decent team. Ah, the times we live in.

Chelsea have hit rock bottom and are probably on their way up. United is still firmly on the way down I think. Wait and see what happens next year... Getting José would be suicide. They need a relatively young coach with a long-term vision more in line with what Ferguson was doing. I'd look at some ex players if I were them.

Shearer is one of my favorite English players of all time, so both of them are obviously below him as far as I'm concerned, but I don't know why he should be considered the lesser of Costa this season.

I know. He still won a title at 17 though. And once he's off to a top team, I'd say after next season, he'll probably start competing for them again. Also, winning a title is never easy, unless there's one completely overpowered team in a league like PSG or Bayern.

Shearer was 24 when he won his first and only title. Lukaku was 17. Let's wait and find out what happens next. ;-)

Man, you can say what you want about how the Spanish league only has a couple of decent teams and that it's in general weaker than the Premier League, but 6 out of 7 of their teams are qualified for the QF. Germany has three, England two, Italy none,

I actually think he might be finished on the highest level. It's always the same injury, no matter how hard he works on his recovery. Makes me sad. Guy is a shining example of how a football player should act and has an iron mentality, but he just can't stay fit anymore. Reminds me of Ronaldo. When I saw him get that last (yet another) knee injury while playing for Milan, that was soul crushing. Probably my favorite striker of all time, that guy.

Titles are not the only correct comparison though, because that would make a guy who stayed faithful to his mediocre team like Alan Shearer not a world class striker (ok, he got one title with Blackburn).

Yes it does. People can say what you want, but it's not an easy league for top goal scorers. Holland quite often used to have a top scorer with 25+ goals a season. Belgium rarely has because lots of teams completely park the bus. Romelu was bullying defenders as a 16 year old though. I remember him playing Ajax in the Arena. The home team thought it would be a walk in the park. Half an hour later it was 0-2 after two 16 year old Lukaku headers.