Demba Ba

[Henrique 9,133]

LoL .. it's funny the way you describe that Moment. Never saw it.

However, I think everybody can express their Joy the way they want as long as other People are not offended by it.

So if Demba Ba and Muhamid Salah celebrate in a religious Fashion, its their Choice. B/c one must accept that there are People who take their Religion more seriously than others. And noone can argue against it b/c everyone has the right to Self-Expression and the right to believe in whatever he/she wants.

So I see no Problem there really, and he celebrates with his Teammates as well ...

As I said, as a liberal I believe Ba should do whataver he wants to, bu it doesnt mean I dont have an opinion about that subject.

I dont feel confortable with religious celebration, but its a good thing that people are allowed to do it.

[Jype 6,398]

Inter are also believed to be strongly interested in Demba Ba. (Daily Mail)

Inter are free to buy all our rejects this summer. Torres, Ba, Mikel.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Just notice that Salah celebrates with his teammates FIRST and then does his own thing

Yeah I remember when he scored against Stoke he was moving like he was gonna go down on his knees but stopped and celebrated with his teammates first.

Ba does the praying part first then celebrates with his teammates.

I don't really care anyway how they do it, I have respect for all religions so it doesn't bother me. If someone would stop after scoring to meditate for an hour on the field maybe that would be a problem tho lol.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Just notice that Salah celebrates with his teammates FIRST and then does his own thing. While Ba seems to ignore his teammates until he's done, which for a player so dependent on assists, does seem a bit odd to me.

The club can also argue that "over" religion might be going against teamwork, unity, or whatnot. Wouldn't players of the same religion form a tight group? it ALWAYS happens as people team up with their equals. Like Henrique said it has happened in Brazil before and it has been rumored that Dunga (and Jorginho) built a weaker Brazil side in 2010 WC to accommodate a group of very religious athletes (some belong to a group known as "Athletes of Christ").

Also, imagine a player who will not play in certain places, or against certain teams. That might or might not be acceptable to the employer, the club.

People don't seem to realize being a professional player is "just" a job. And NO players CANNOT do whatever they want to do. In some countries they have some legal protections concerning religion, but not in others.

All I am saying is that this is a very controversial subject and not the "drop it" that some are trying to make it.

You have a point. Another example, more recent, was with Pappis Cisse and Wonga sponsoring NUFC.

But I think these examples are a different debate from a celebration. If the religious aspect was just limited to this, and the player agreed to this, then I don't think there's an issue. But as you say, they can't then begin to dictate the club's actions because they should know that comes with a job. There haven't been many high profile issues regarding religious practices in football because of the mutual respect between those in the sports and those still strictly religious.

[robsblubot 3,464]

You have a point. Another example, more recent, was with Pappis Cisse and Wonga sponsoring NUFC.

But I think these examples are a different debate from a celebration. If the religious aspect was just limited to this, and the player agreed to this, then I don't think there's an issue. But as you say, they can't then begin to dictate the club's actions because they should know that comes with a job. There haven't been many high profile issues regarding religious practices in football because of the mutual respect between those in the sports and those still strictly religious.

yeah absolutely, I don't think there is an "issue" per se anyway. Like Henrique, I was just expressing a personal preference, which is for the way Salah handles it.

frankly, we just don't have enough visibility into the locker room and who's friend's with who. I assure you though, it is certainly something that clubs pay attention to.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

yeah absolutely, I don't think there is an "issue" per se anyway. Like Henrique, I was just expressing a personal preference, which is for the way Salah handles it.

frankly, we just don't have enough visibility into the locker room and who's friend's with who. I assure you though, it is certainly something that clubs pay attention to.

Of course. The last thing we need again is the cliquey dressing room we all were witnessed to in previous years, especially post-Mourinho to AVB era.

[Las7 951]

Good goal, didn't do much else in the first half but had one chance and took it - that's the minimum you should expect from your strikers

[Fulham Broadway 16,705]

What made St.Stevies slip and the goal even sweeter was that Demba had been rubbish up till then.

Im still laughing. Comedy Gold

[Jase 43,479]

Had a decent-good game today. Battled hard against 2-3 players around him and held the ball up decently. Also took his goal well with the tension and pressure in the game. Cool and composed finish.

However, his lay offs and passes were horrendous! Goodness knows how many counter attacks were messed up because of that.

[Milan 17,848]

Took the goal very well. If anything, it can increase his price.

[Jase 43,479]

Forgot to mention, credit to Ba as well for the fact he has scored some big goals lately; against PSG, Swansea and now Liverpool.

[Nike 373]

I still think Ba is better than Lukaku... Right now

[LAB 1,030]

Ba finished it perfectly. Also again very good at playing with his back facing the goal. He can hold a long ball with his chest or head and kick start the play from a dangerous position, therefore making himself very useful in those type of matches.

BUT truth be told, Demba simply couldn't pass today. He was absolutely clueless. Wasted too many attacking opportunities. Overall not good performance for me.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Apart from his goal he was poor IMO, but thanks for scoring the vital goal Demba.

[5354 204]

He was so alienated up front... what did u expect him to do?

the only 1 mistake he made was the one during 2nd half when his short pass to matic broke down and liverpool almost counter-attacked us

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

He was so alienated up front... what did u expect him to do?

the only 1 mistake he made was the one during 2nd half when his short pass to matic broke down and liverpool almost counter-attacked us

He made quite a few misplaced passes. Short passes, text book passes, he could've put Willian through at one point. That aside he done very well.

[Styles 9,790]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10796767/Chelsea-v-Atletico-Madrid-How-striker-Demba-Ba-survived-life-on-the-sidelines-at-Stamford-Bridge.html

Really good piece. I have nothing but respect for this guy

[Special Juan 27,388]

Imagine if he scored the winner again tonight