MoroccanBlue

He probably will. Maradona is immortalized at the Bombonera. Just as Messi is at the Nou Camp. Fairly certain his farewell to Barcelona would produce a similar atmosphere considering the turn out Xavi got for his. Argentine passion for football is something else however. I prefer analyzing a player's overall ability and don't rely on team accomplishments as a barometer. Because it brings forth so many fallacies and inconsistencies. There are a select few players in history who's ability transcends goal scoring, so to say Messi is far behind and won't ever get there genuinely confuses me. How has Messi not revolutionized the game? There's a bloody movie made by Jorge Valdano with your beloved Johan Cruyff saying Messi revolutionized the game. Just off the top of my head: 1. Messi revolutionized the 'false 9'. 2. Messi was the key clog in Guardiola's system that revolutionized modern football with it's expansion on Michel/Cruyff's system. (Where Michel's was more about freedom, Guardiola's wanted an absolute respect of his tactic.) 3. Messi beat Gerd Muller's record of goals in a calendar year. 91 goals. In a year... 4. Messi has averaged 55 goals a season for 10 years and has maintained this elite level of consistency for 10 years. 5. Messi has won the most Ballon d'Ors' in history. This talk about not revolutionizing the game I will just laugh off personally. I mentioned there are a select few players in history who's ability transcends goal scoring. Messi isn't just in contention for being one of the best goal scorers in history, he's in contention for being one of the best dribblers, one of the best passers, one of the best visionaries, one of the best free kick takers, and one of the best technical players. But yeah, he's far off according to you. The shitty defences argument always gets me. Other than Aguero and Vardy, Messi has more goals against the Premier League Top 6 than any player in the actual Premier League for the past 10 years.

Interesting post. Few things I take issue here. 1. The Argentina 1986 team was quite possibly the best footballing example of tactics formed by its composition. It honestly makes me cringe when I see comments of Maradona single handedly carrying that team. They were an efficient unit that knew their roles and supported Diego as the main creative outlook. 2. You mentioned Messi had a better supporting cast compared to Maradona. This is a fallacy itself. The issue with Argentina for the past decade were players and managers failing to cope with the immense pressure they had. When you have household names in Aguero, Higuain, Icardi, Di Maria, Lavezzi, Papu Gomez, Pastore, Dybala, etc being absolutely shunned by Argentina fans for their inability to produce for the national team, you can see the issue lies far deeper than one man to fix. They are night and day incompatible compared to the 1985-1990 Argentina team. And yet, Messi is still the country's highest ever goal scorer. 3. I have a big gripe when people base their opinions on hypothesis contrary to fact. Because it reeks of bias and it can't be realistically proven. You're also faulting a player based on circumstances. I could very much say the likelihood of Messi winning silverware with Napoli is higher than Maradona playing for Barcelona and replicating Messi's 60 goals a season for 10 years. Also, for all we know, the only difference between Maradona and Messi regarding WC glory could be as simple Burruchaga/Higuain. Reverse the two and who knows what would happen. Pretty sure had Burruchaga been through on goal against Neuer, he wouldn't of fluffed his chance like bottle job Higuain. Can it be proven? No. That's the issue with this fallacy.

Messi > anyone, personally. Mental the similarities between he and Maradona.

In terms of intensity, a lot depends on who plays Thursday for Spurs. I'm still fully expecting Spurs/Mourinho to not press us given the 48 hours they've had inbetween games. I'd start Kai for the sole purpose of having more match winners on the pitch against the inevitable brick wall we will see Sunday. Toss up for me. Tammy's in form but we can't ignore how Giroud performed last season against the same Spurs defence. Good thing is there's enough games to rotate both. Something you embarrassingly discredited in the Giroud thread.

Diego Maradona has passed away. Fuck 2020

Right. After watching last season's highlights at the Bridge, Giroud had a field day against Spurs' back line. Also looks like Pulisic will be available off the bench. Mendy James--Zouma--Silva--Chilwell Kante Havertz---Mount Ziyech----------------------Werner Giroud

Really am stuck on Giroud or Tammy here.

Alderwiereld is out for Spurs. Mourinho will be hard pressed to not play 3 at the back

I’d keep Werner. Even when he’s not scoring his overall game is vital. Loves playing Spurs too

Is Pulisic fit?

Rennes will also give Sevilla a game considering Europa still on the line

Always the case with Jorginho in the team unfortunately.

Can’t wait until Gilmour is fit. Can’t remember the last time Jorginho won a 50/50. Id take off Werner for Ziyech. Shift CHO to his natural side.

Giroud being saved for Spurs? Should be playing here.

They look to be relying on KDB the same manner we relied on Hazard for years. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they finish outside Top 4.

Will be better for us in the long run with a Liverpool win

Leeds upgrade Klich and Bamford they will be incredibly dangerous

Someone get Bamford off the pitch

Nah he’s got two years minimum

We should be looking to do the double over Leeds. Shocking up front

The bloke who’s better than both Ziyech and Havertz subbed at half. No injury.

Dodgy Arsenal 1-0 win here with how things are going. Leeds just wasteful

I’d rest Mount for sure. He loves playing Spurs

Having both Mendy and Silva at the back can give us lots of confidence with the likes of Emerson, Rudiger, Jorginho, or CHO being thrown in.

I don't like celebrating any injury but Alderweireld is unavailable for Spurs. Muscle tear. Only emphasis the importance of rotation. Still think this game would be great for James, Chilwell, Kante, Mount, and Werner to get some rest.