Spike

I predicted this was going to happen. If the 4-3-2-1 formation is to be used, the midfield duo or 'double pivot' will be the weakness. Mikel, Lampard and Romeu are the only players who are adept in the 'double pivot' as Meireles' defensive work leaves much to be desired besides he looks much more comfortable in a more advanced position. Besides, McEachran would probably excel in a more advanced position (I like to see him as an English Iniesta). A new CM is needed, whether it be 'Liverpool level' Morrison, 'Also Liverpool level' McCarthy, 'Not on the market' Cabaye or 'Being held hostage by Porto' Moutinho.

The last time I checked Secondary Strikers and Trequartistas are essentially the same thing. Oh, well it just semantics.

I agree with you about James McCarthy, he is quite impressive. He could be worth a look in.

You could be right, but I still dislike it when people dismiss players because their club is at a poor position on the table. A team is only as talented as the sum of its parts. Gems are often hidden in rocks.

He was almost signed when José was still in charge. I think he failed the medical due to his homesickness. It was much worse back then though, to the point where stress and anxiety induced seizures occured. He couldn't leave Sevilla without anxiety attacks and now he is playing at the Euros, so he must have gotten a little better.

Hmmm, most Italian fans I've met quite like Cannavaro, I haven't met too many that disregard his achievements. I guess I look up to him because I'm the same height (175cm) which is very small for a CB. Maldini was fantastic, but he goes hand in hand with Baresi. Maldini was better but you can't not mention Franco Baresi. Pique had a bad season, a terrible one, especially when compared to how well Puyol played. Carvalho is also a favourite of mine, his years at Chelsea were pure gold. He was a bit over the hill when he signed for Madrid, but he was no means terrible.

Puyol's problems is his health he can has trouble staying fit these days. Anyway, he is much better than that tripe that is Gerard Pique. He is a good CB, no arguing that but people act as if he is in the same calibre as John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Nemanja Vidic and Thiago Silva (just to name a few). He is also overpowered on FIFA and Football Manager. He had a poor season, but maybe he can live up to his own hype next season. It's very sad how little admiration and adulation a lot of defenders receive. I feel the only two that have gotten what they deserve are Franz Beckenbauer and Fabio Cannavaro.

It doesn't matter what club someone plays for, if they are a good player, they are a good player. Gary Cahill from Bolton Petr Cech from Rennes Jon Obi Mikel from Lyn Fotball Frank Lampard from West Ham Didier Drogba started out at Le Mans FC for crying out loud.

His penalty kick (not his terrible run up) reminds me of how Mata attempts them. Place before power.

Eh, starting XI shirts generally sell more than other numbers. Hazard 11 will probably ship a few more than Hazard 36.

I never said Cabaye would be an expensive transfer just that Morrison would be cheaper than him.

Could be a good bet for the Midfield. Not as expensive as Cabaye and Moutinho and has over 100 appearances in the Premier League. I have a feeling some users are just going to say: "Liverpool signing, move along."

I think he is more than good enough for a lot of top clubs.

Pace..power...and a bit of cheek.

Well I tried to diffuse the situation by leaving the threads and contacting Steve but unfortuantly he was AFK at the time. I knew it was only a matter of time before BlueLion made a thread about it! I'm not a snitch, I'm an informant...

SS stands for more than Schutzstaffel... :eyebrows: Anyway, the Ramires thread was more the fact when anyone argued with him [TheMadridOne] he just dismissed your opinion and called you an idiot. Tempers went off because of it. I'm more than willing to listen to anyone's opinion but when it comes with a sense of arrogance and dismissal of your own, it's hard to stay civil.

I could see that being true.

On the RW or even...(dare I say it?) RB. I dislike him at CM because his technical skills often less a bad taste and he would make life more difficult for his double pivot partner. If he is to be played in the Midfiels I believe a new formation will be necessary, perhaps a return to the 4-3-3 is on the cards? Though Lampard and Mikel did struggle with the 4-3-3 under AVB.

"Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche I'm done.

Nuri Sahin would be a great steal. He records a good amount of assists for a regista.

I am growing weary of your narcissism. You have not at any stage shown proof or souces to back up any of your statments. Not once have you debunked my arguements, you just use the logical fallacy of ad hominem i.e. your arguement is terrible and mine is better. You my friend are most immature person I have ever had the displeasure of arguing. If I'm not mistaken you edited your previous posts. You either hold double standards or are a hypocrite. & I shall quote the "master of debate" [sic]: I am finished with you. I have nothing more to say you. I wipe this disgusting mess from my hands. You are not worth my time.

You lack sufficient proof. I have supplied statments coming directly from the man himself that he would love to play for Barç again. Also, the last time I checked Real Madrid's Midfield was also stacked. Alonso Sahin Granero Diarra Khedira All fighting for the double pivot role. There is 2.5 players for each of the two midfield positions. Xavi Iniesta (also plays in the forward positions) Busquets (also plays at CB) Thiago Mascherano (also plays at CB) Fabregas (also plays in the Forward positions) Keita All fighting for a three midfield places. There is 2.333 players for each of three midfield positions.

You are generalising with Touré saying that "barcelona will never call him as they have no reason to" [sic]. Sure the Barça Midfield is stacked at the moment and there is no place for him, but you are making wild assumptions and generalising by stating he wouldn't return. Touré is also a pipe dream and you fool yourself with grandiose delusion. I give you two thumbs down and shortly afterhand two digitus medius up.

The players you listed earlier while linked by gutter press are still linked with your club. It's is hypocritical to discuss Modric while not discussing Silva even if the source is less reputable. If you puke over Silva than you most definitly should puke over Touré. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/09/manchester-city-yaya-toure-barcelona http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/9254253/Manchester-Citys-Yaya-Toure-wants-Barcelona-return.html

So Yaya Touré is a realistic target even though he often stated his desire to return to Barcelona one day?