The One with Neymar to Barcelona…

messi-et-neymar-barcelone-santos-10604955ghaax_1879 La Liga Lounge returns with a Brazilian blend, dedicating the entire show to one man…Neymar!

The most talked about transfer in football over the last two seasons is finally done. Neymar joins Barcelona from Santos and we look at how this deal could work out.

Will Neymar complement Messi or will he try to compete with him? Can these two superstars co-exist? Or are there too many cooks in the Camp Nou kitchen?

Neymar is also slight and doesn’t carry too much weight. Can he bulk up and also change his style of football to adapt playing in Europe? Will he be a huge success like Ronaldinho or will he end up a high-profile flop? Remember Keirrison?

We dissect this subject like a frog and are also joined by Brazil legend and 1970’s World Cup winner and captain Carlos Alberto. The scorer of the greatest goal ever seen in the World Cup doesn’t hold back when talking about Brazil’s current football starlet.

Sit back. Relax. Grab a chair in the lounge. It’s happy hour. It’s a special. It’s “The One with Neymar to Barcelona.”

A Conversation With…Janusz Michallik

Talking Italian in A Conversation with Janusz Michallik from ESPN. AC Milan are going through a huge change in personnel having lost some legends together with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. How will the Rossoneri cope? Is Allegri the manager under the most pressure in Europe before the season starts?

And what of the Old Lady? Can Juventus repeat their magical season? How will they perform in the Champions League? We even dabble in a little Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Robin van Persie, plus Janusz shares his thoughts on the players he’s most excited to see as the new season approaches. You won’t want to miss this conversation. Pour a glass of fine Italian wine and enjoy!

The Weird Science of Football…

John Hughes provided many happy memories for angst ridden teenagers everywhere.

He was the man who gave birth to the more than cool 80’s Brat Pack. He was the man who let Ferris Bueller run riot on his day off. He was the man who dared to give Saturday detention to a bunch of troubled students in the Breakfast Club. And he was the man who made us believe we could create the perfect woman on a homemade computer in the completely outrageous Weird Science.

And that’s the John Hughes flick that got my football brain thinking…

In Weird Science, the nerdy teenage boys were desperate for some girl attention. Problem is, they had no game. They were hopeless, immature and lacked confidence. They couldn’t even attract bees to honey if their lives depended on it.

You could liken the characters from Weird Science to Arsenal in the transfer market. No matter what Arsenal do, their hopelessness and inability to buy quality players is evident. So what do you do if your team doesn’t buy? You build right?

How wonderful would it be if you could really utilize the Weird Science theory and manufacture the ultimate football player? Some would say you should just re-create Lionel Messi. But where is the fun in that? The beauty of this little exercise is to mould your player by using the best parts of all the great players available in today’s game.

Physically who would be your guy? Ronaldo of Real Madrid? Hulk of Porto? Both are sculpted like Greek Gods and could battle with anyone on a football pitch.

Mentally you would want someone like Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs wouldn’t you? A player who has experienced everything in the game can be of high value in the mental stakes.

Technically the talent of Barcelona’s Iniesta would be beautiful wouldn’t it? And what about Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger’s grit and determination? Or the strength and courage of Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol? Then there is the endurance of a British player like Wayne Rooney who is used to the gritty requirements of a long football season.

The choices are endless because the football talent in today’s world is vast. From Europe, to South America and beyond, dare to dream. Put your geek on just like those Weird Science boys. Start building your perfect player today. It’s actually quite comforting and you don’t have to be an Arsenal fan to enjoy the Weird Science of Football…

In the land of Donovan…

donovanMany in the media had suggested that Landon Donovan couldn’t hack playing football in Europe. And you really couldn’t blame the media for doubting the American star’s potential.

After a disappointing 4 years at Bayer Leverkusen and an unsuccessful loan spell at Bayern Munich last season, the hope for Donovan’s talent to transcend to the European game were all but over. But as we all know, anything is possible in the funny old game of football.

In the MLS season that just ended, Donovan led the LA Galaxy to the championship game and even though they were defeated, his MVP performances throughout the year grabbed the attention of Europe’s elite clubs once again. Donovan was being given another chance to prove himself on the big stage of European football and he was determined to make the most of his opportunity, especially heading into a World Cup year.

This time, the American chose the right club and the right country to play his trade. Everton are one of the most famous, traditional and prestigious clubs in England. And they have a great manager who is able to identify talent when he sees it. David Moyes didn’t hesitate in signing Donovan on loan to Everton. He needed him. With Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and a host of other fantastic players on the injury list, it seemed a perfect fit for both club and player. Sure it was a risk based on Donovan’s past European experiences, but Everton’s injuries meant they had to gamble. Donovan was given the famous #9 shirt by the club and he has certainly worn it proudly.

There’s no doubt Donovan has been inspirational at Everton. He has risen to the occasion, taken his opportunity with both feet and has starred for the Premier League team in many games, including victories over Chelsea and Manchester United. Donovan was just voted Player of the Month and a certain love affair might be brewing between the American and the Toffees faithful. His performances have engaged the British media and many are seeing Donovan as a completely different player. In fact, some Brits are a little more afraid of facing the United States team in their first game at the World Cup because of how Donovan has played!

Donovan now faces a very difficult decision. He finds himself in a similar situation to David Beckham following his successful loan deal at AC Milan last season. When football superstar Beckham extended his loan deal with the Italian club, Donovan was a huge critic as he questioned Beckham’s loyalty and dedication to the LA Galaxy team. After being quoted in the book “The Beckham Experiment”, Donovan made his feelings about his teammate’s contributions or lack thereof crystal clear. With things going so well at Everton, should Donovan follow in Beckham’s footsteps and extend his deal? If I were an Everton fan, I wouldn’t want to lose him. If I were David Moyes I wouldn’t want to lose him. If I were the LA Galaxy, I would want him back. But what does Donovan want? After all the criticism of Beckham, would he even consider staying with Everton until June?

As Donovan continues his preparation for the World Cup, surely staying in Europe is best for him and the United States team. Right now, it’s great to be in the land of Donovan…

What’s your tipple on Champions League nights..?

CA-8266 Salut!When it comes to those fancy European nights filled with sexy Champions League football, do you stick with the ice cold brew or do you shift to wine? Is it even possible to make football and wine work together? Do wine and football only speak to chicks and metrosexuals? Wine wouldn’t really go with a dirty burger right? Absolutely wrong. If we’re able to drink wine with a rancid plane meal, then surely a glass or two of red or white could wash down a dirty burger or meat pie?

Perhaps it’s the evening kick-off schedule that makes us feel like having wine as we’d be consuming less carbs. Or is it the spirit of the competition taking place in cultural Europe that drives us to the Off License or Liquor Mart before the game starts? Does it make more sense to be drinking a Merlot or Cabernet if you are watching Bordeaux vs Marseille or Barcelona vs Sevilla? Would wine work if you are watching Steaua Bucharest vs CSKA Moscow? At that point wouldn’t we all whip out the vodka?

It’s Champions League night. It’s time to order a drink. What’s your tipple?

Champions of England again…

APTOPIX Britain Soccer Premier LeagueCongratulations Manchester United. They’ve done this 18 times now and they’re not getting bored. Sir Alex Ferguson is amazing. The greatest manager in football history. Nobody can match what he’s done. It’s a shame the F.A. couldn’t convince him to be England manager. He’d probably have won them the World Cup by now.

For me, Manchester United’s best player this season was Michael Carrick. In fact Carrick makes me want to start a whole new category on the BSD…”Unsung Hero.” Carrick is certainly one of those. His passing is sublime. He threads the ball, he caresses it, he strokes it. If he scored more goals, people would put him in the same bracket as Gerrard or Lampard. For me he is in the same league as those guys. Next term could be a breakthrough season for Carrick. If United win the league again and also do well in Europe, how could Fabio Capello ignore him for England and the World Cup?

The only sour note about United’s end to the season is the whole Tevez saga. Do you guys think he will stay? Would Sir Alex Ferguson ever sell him to a Premiership rival? He wants to stay in the Premier League and the word is Tottenham and Liverpool want him. But United have shown if they don’t want to sell to a particular team they won’t. The manager and board refused to let Gabriel Heinze join Liverpool a couple of seasons ago. Argentina’s left back was desperate to be a Liverpool player but he ended up at Real Madrid. I can’t see United letting Tevez join Liverpool either. What is it about Manchester United and problems with their Argentine internationals? Remember Juan Sebastian Veron, then Gabriel Heinze and now Carlos Tevez. No matter what happens with Tevez, Sir Alex Ferguson has proved life at United goes on regardless who leaves. It doesn’t seem to affect their winning formula does it?

Who do you think was United’s best player this season? Will Sir Alex Ferguson keep going? Who should United bring in during the summer transfer window? Can any other team catch them?