GermanBlue

What do you think are his chances to get a squad and a more or less regular starter place for us next season? I don't know the player good enough to evaluate.

I think he has to strengthen his body to get more out of his own potential. Look at Mata or Hazard, they're both approx. as small as Oscar, but they both seem to be more able to push their way through the defensive lines. I'm not impatient with him or anything, just pointing out what he's lacking atm IMO. It's his first season in a top league with 2 matches a week, it's normal he needs some time to adapt. He did that quite well though, but we could not have expected him to continue with these performances. We just have to be patient, in 3-4 years our team will be massive with an attacking midfield consisting of developed Hazard and Oscar and a Mata on top of his carrier.

As I said, I think he needs his private environment to get the best out of himself, and he'd only get it in Dortmund, so if he doesn't return to RM, a deal with BVB is probable. I don't think he'd sign at another (new) top club if he fails at LFC/RM.

Good signing for them.

From the first day I heard he'd come to CFC, I knew he wasn't going to be a starter from day 1, because he barely didn't make it in Bremen. Yes, he played in the national team a few teams, but he was disappointing there. He is a decent squad player, but don't expect much more from him, please. He's not like the "German Messi" as he was claimed to be by some people, when the transfer was announced and he won't be an option when it comes to solve serious problems in important games. I remember when we had that bad run in autumn and many were like "Oh, bring on Marin, he'll surely make it", no, he won't make it. Maybe, he'll develop into a more regular starter, but that's really the maximum, I don't expect him to start more often in the second half of the season honestly excluding that few weeks of injury.

Thanks for pointing that out, forgot that both played for Inter that season. But I think the two in their today's shape would still be a little better than back then.

Yes, we discussed that already in the other thread, but as you said, there are two side, one is your argument, and the other is that the team was still strong enough to beat QPR. I think both - the team and Benitez - underestimated QPR.

Saw that comming in some way. He was doing pretty bad in the last matches he played, too. Might be a candidate for Milan? Also, I can imagine PSG. Ibra and Balotelli in one team.

Every player needs a rest. Even a human monster like Mata is in his core just a human. The squad we played last night should've been good enough to beat QPR.

Oh my god, please not Sahin! I think he's way overrated. He was a star in the Bundesliga carrying Dortmund to their title, but he's not Real Madrid or Chelsea quality. Yes, he was injured and didn't play much, but he'd never make it here. I don't know, maybe he needs his private surroundings to perform as he did in Dortmund, who are btw thinking about making a move to get him back. Watzke said: "We'd want to have Sahin back here, if it can be done", so I think if he leaves LFC/RM, he'd go back to BVB which would be the best for him, because he'll never be better than he was there.

Just that 70 vs. 33 shots stat is interesting. Shows what a lazy ass Torres is, and you have to think about it: Ba gets these 70 shots out of midfield of a 15th placed team. Just imagine that with our midfield.

It's München, but you probably don't have the right button for it. Yeah, but I don't think Dortmund would agree on that, they are doing their best to keep their squad together. I think nothing's impossible, but I can't see Götze leaving Dortmund, and if, then not before the end of his contract in 2016. And I'm pretty sure he'd join either Real or a Premier League club then, but that's so far away.

I was at a birthday party last night, so I couldn't watch the game and had to follow a liveticker. Now, I'm actually happy, I didn't saw it.

Yup, they also wanted to have Reus, but he joined his former club Borussia Dortmund. Also they said anyday soon, it's quite probable to see Mario Goetze in a Bayern Munich trikot as well. Right now, as it's announced that Holtby won't renew his contract at Schalke, there are rumours that Bayern may want him. But I think that's just wild guesses, as he wouldn't be a real improvement to their squad IMO. Just to give a few examples.

Just like me.

This. I think he'll arrive at the weekend.

Very similar player to Ba IMO, but still needs some time to be at his level. A good alternative though.

I've been watching Marin for years here in Germany and he's definitely no playmaker. He maybe claims to be one, but even in the Bundesliga he didn't have a real impact on the central attacking midfield position. I think he's best when used as a winger to get the most out of his dribbling skills. I agree with you though. Another attacking midfielder is needed, but first, a striker.

Negotations with Leverkusen are like those with Bilbao. I don't see any chance in Schurrle leaving with a transfer fee anywhere near his market price. Not only we offered them 30m for Schurrle at the beginning of the season, but Munich offered them 40m for Bender and they rejected. They could've made a profit of 70m (!) and you'd get a lot better players for this price.

Honda would be a great addition to me. Creative and variable player and even on a free deal. Also, he's 26 years old and seems to be on top of his carrier. He'd make a good squad player and we can rotate a lot more. Sign him up for next season! 24 year old left winger from Metalist Kharkiv. I don't know him, but other users here said he's more average than a real improvement to the current first team. I don't see the point in signing him. With Marin and Piazon we already have 2 talented wingers mostly benchwarming, so why add another? Especially if he doesn't seem that good.

To be fair, I think Ramires has done really well against Everton, I wouldn't mind him playing on the right side more often if he does like that. But I do think Hazard needs to be involved more often, or at least he should've against Everton.

Did anybody notice that in the last weeks we're attacking soo much down the right side? IMO that's one of the main reasons why he wasn't such an outstanding player like he was in the first matches of the season. But tbh, nobody could expect the story to continue after winning all MOTM awards in his first 4 (?) BPL appearances.

Haha, just imagine we get a fast let's say 2-0 lead and after 20 minutes Mata comes off. No, seriously, yes, you're right. Forgot the cup matches next week.

Should be easy, but you never know. An early goal might be important. I just hope we can bench Mata for this one and don't have to bring him on to win it. Nope, if I remember right, he's out for 2-3 weeks.

Well, partly, I think yes. Ofc, the matches are always different and stats often aren't that meaningful, but a central midfielder has a much bigger impact on the overall match than a right back. If he fucks it up, every defending side struggles. And also, I wouldn't compare a legend like Lampard with a new signing like Azpi. Yes, Azpi plays his part, too, and he's getting better every game, but Frank just has a very different impact on the team in terms of psychology. He's a leader and was just what we needed in that bad run, when JT was also missing.