Atlas Lion

Hopefully Wenger doesn't look into buying another CF now. Giroud's link up play is brilliant, but he is a god awful finisher.

This one's almost impossible considering it's astounding how they are both incredibly similar. Even though they both lack physical stature, their ability came natural to them, almost if they were born to play football. Messi has the continuous broken records, club trophies and individual awards that I don't think will ever be matched, then you have Maradona who's influence alone won his country a world cup in '86 and his historic and memorable contributes in Napoli that to this day spews greatness at club and National team level. It would seem that for this assessment, one has to take into consideration the reasoning with rational thought behind these triumphs, like for one, a big reasoning for Messi's individual success is being on a club that plays a philosophy that get's the best out of him and with Diego, being a main factor in hand selecting the players that would guide Napoli to a Italian title. I really don't have an answer for this one as I class both Diego and Lionel as my all time greats, DiStefano as well.

Your 'bet' is nothing more than an assumption mate. Lionel Messi's prime (if you could even brand him one) was most definitely 2011 yet he continues to break record after record like his historic 91 goals in a calender year triumph. Let's not forget even though Messi lacked height and physical stature like the phenomenon, Messi still played far deeper than he did as a striker whilst still scoring more goals and linked up with the midfield as well as contributing to the whole style of play that benefited the team as a whole. He can't get that kind of balance on the national team because they put him in a different role, almost as an attacking midfielder just because Messi is that diverse in his ability. Those picking Messi would definitely have a justifiable cause. Don't even get me started on Diego Maradona....

Well no, Costa only really had one injury that kept him out for a substantial amount of time, which was towards the end of last season. (Mind you, Costa was subbed off in the CL final after 8 minutes and came to a Spain side that had zero motivation to achieve anything for the upcoming world cup). Aguero on the other had had this hamstring injury for a couple years now and has always been bang average at best playing for the national team. Having a good preseason isn't a guarantee to reflect on the upcoming season.

This, although that 4th spot is an iffy with me between Arsenal, Liverpool, or Everton. If Arsenal keep everyone fit, I can see them excel to a 3rd spot even.

Aguero has been in a long run of poor form (end of last season and world cup) and continues to have that re-occurring hamstring issue while Negredo broke his foot and won't be available till Novemberish. City will rely on Dzeko and Jovetic for the time being.

Chelsea/City City/Chelsea United Arsenal

There is no denying that. Ronaldo is still to this day the greatest striker I've ever seen, up there with Romario. Shame it had to end so short while he was on top. But as footballers, Maradona, Messi, and Di Stefano differ for me due to them having god gifted talent that came natural to them, almost as a work of art, and what's most astounding is that they all maintained their ability with continuous consistency. Their way of playing benefited the team as a whole, and that's what will be remembered about them the most.

Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Alfredo Di Stefano for me are the greatest formulations of natural and gifted technical ability. They were all born to play football. All Argentine as well, must be something in their meat.

Thought he retired during the 2nd half of the Netherlands game...

That is the only issue. Worst happening is that he is here for one more season then his contract is up in the summer.

Think it's safe to say that being a proper fan, (or is using that term forbidden all of a sudden?) is being able to identify our geographical rivalries that have spanned for decades even before we existed. When someone states that Frank should have been moved to QPR, that will inevitably raise some questions by other members. Kinell, hope there isn't a lad out there who would of suggested he moved to Millwall...

Not to mention we have struggled immensely in the final third last season. We've invested heavily in this squad and for two seasons all we have to show for it is a trophy we shouldn't have even been qualified for. This is the season where everyone needs to step up or fuck off.

You're making this more of a big deal than it really is. And did someone seriously use this as a parallel to Denis Law? I never knew a club legend going on a 6 month loan to a rival team in order to maintain top fitness and play the odd cup game is in the same bracket as a a club legend being transferred to a city rival and scoring the goal that inevitably got them relegated.

Can I change my name to Marlon Brando if available. Paying homage to the greatest actor who ever lived.

That's a big 'if'

. Going a tad over board mate.

Luis needs some time to gel with our current team, looks a bit off and shaky, as if things are never going his way.

That's what currently stopping us from becoming Champions. That only, 'big game mentality'.

And I reckon there are sad cunts out there who would go ten seasons of Torres not scoring a fucking goal and they wouldn't care cause it's El Niño

Some fans on here... Un fucking real

Many people are failing to see that his contract is up next summer, so at worst we will only have him for one more season. Or if we are in the twilight zone and our board offer him a new contract, by then I will probably jump off a cliff plunging to my death.

And what might you be basing that on? One game?

Did someone just say Pepe and Ramos are the best CB's in Europe?

We have the best young GK in the world, we already have the best Defence in the league now stronger with Filipe Luis, arguably one of if not the best central midfield in the league with Matic and Cesc, the best attacking trio in the league, and one of the worlds best striker and a returning World Cup winner. We are more than ready for this season to start.