Atlas Lion

Cesc as a false 9 would be great, if Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, and Busquets are supporting him in a possession minded transition....except we don't play that nor do we have the players capable of establishing a game like that.

Hook, line, and sinker.

Cesc. Until we purchase Thiago and beats him to it.

That story is so old mate

Last time we were there, Mourinho had Schurrle and Oscar close down Carrick because he was their main component in transition. Hopefully this time around, we won't have to play on the counter and instead bring it to them.

Can see this ending in a draw tbh.

We turned to shite the moment he left as well...

Anyone notice the banner "Liverpool, Royalty of Europe" before the match? Embarrassing They even started the better team before Ronaldo scored.

Ronaldo's instincts in front of goal are legendary

Fair enough.

I'm curious to know as how Varane is better, what does he excel at that Inigo doesn't?

Do you watch Sociedad? I'm just assuming due to Vela, but Inigo is fucking quality in every sense. Not a more underrated centre back atm.

He's played at youth level for France since he was 17. I'd take Inigo Martinez over Varane any day.

Henry, Eto'o, and Villa all managed to get 20+goals the seasons where Messi won the Ballon D'or 2009-2012 so to say they were struggling whilst trying to accommodate him is bit of a rash claim, as well as claiming the decay in attacking players due to the responsibility of as you say, 'feeding Messi', when infact that Spanish national side has been going downhill as well considering the main core of the national team pertain to Barca's golden generation. Both Xavi and Iniesta were the focal points and its become blatant that their ability is diminishing. We can't forget the fact that Barca lacked an out and out goal scorer like Villa was until the purchase of Suarez. Pedro, Neymar, and Sanchez do not have those instincts. Ibra wasn't cast aside due to Messi struggling whilst playing with him as the media portrayed it to be, it was down to the simple concept that Ibra did not complement their style of play, at all. Barca do not play with a target man and the amount of times Ibra has ruined their rhythm and attacking transition was apparent to Guardiola, hence his transfer. Argentina's biggest mistake was to continue to play Messi in the hole rather than his usual attacking free flowing self. )When you consider the variables, control, vision, versatility and the ability to play from deep, natural finishing instincts, as most importantly, consistency, that's what separates Messi from Ronaldo. That's roughly debatable but i agree with you, Ronaldo had to go against the likes of Zidane, Rivaldo, and Figo where as Messi had to go against the likes of C.Ronaldo, Iniesta, and Xavi. All players who will go down as some of the formidable best in their respective countries,

You're obsession for certain players is sickening, almost to a certain biased mentality. For a man who feels Thiago has a greater range of passing and contain Leadership qualities to a higher level of Cesc Fabregas in all reality doesn't contain a whole lot of credibility. Messi's overall game from his vision and involvement of play that makes the team work better as a unit is ever so blatant, which is recognizable by his 4 consecutive Ballon D'ors and his handful of records that probably won't ever be broken in our lifetime. Messi also made an interview on canal plus stating that Batistuta was the greatest striker he's ever seen, but you didn't bring that up because I assume that doesn't fit you're agenda? Or what about when Ronaldinho stating that Messi is the best player he's played with and will forever go down as the greatest?

Another reason why comparing players of different generations is sheer unjustifiable. The game is constantly changing. Messi's overall game is better than Ronaldo's hence his higher prestige.

Yet Messi has made the likes of Cannavaro, Puyol, Lucio, Lugano, and Carvalho look like Sunday league defenders.

Morocco's potential national side is quality -----El Hadaddi--Bakkali-------- --------------Mastour--------------- Afellay-----------------------Chadli ----Belhanda-----Fellaini----- ---Rami-----Benatia--Kaboul--- ---------------Amsif----------------

Athletic Bilbao have the best fans in the world.

Being forced to play wide to accommodate Lampard in his natural attacking midfielder role also didn't help. Owen Hargreves as well had everything to be a great.

You do realise that Jose wanted Lampard at both Inter and Madrid as well right? The sheer under rating of Lampard, especially during his prime (2005-2007) is absolutely astonishing, it truly is. Lampard could tackle, pick a pass out of nothing, finish from practically anywhere, and was the ideal box to box midfield of the premier league era. And even with the unstability of managers, he was the only player to maintain that kind of consistency. And mind you, Jose's initial interest was before the whole Lampard and Gerrard pairing for the national team couldn't work as neither complemented one another, it was merely a concept back then. Mata was POTY because we formed the team around him, to suit his strengths, whereas with Lampard, he accommodated to his role manager after manager still bringing out class.

Puyol started his career at RB as well.

This

Complete and utter bollocks. We are talking about a season where we won the title and Liverpool won the European Crown, and Gerrard didn't put his tranfer request until the summer of 2005. A year where Lampard was at his prime and came second running in the Ballon D'or nomination whereas Gerrard wasn't anywhere near the form Frank was in that year. By no means does that suggest Lampard would have secured his spot, but to openly state that Gerrard would replace a player who was in the prime of his game is mental. Jose has always showed aspiration for Frank, it was ever so likely if we got a hold of Gerrard that summer, Essien would have never been purchased. ---------------Drogba-------------- Robben-----------------------Cole --------Lampard--Gerrard------- --------------Makelele-------------