Tag: Ibrahimovic

Best of the Best…

After a weekend of football, there is always major reaction or should we say overreaction to the events we have witnessed. But that’s football isn’t it? We react to what we see. And how we react as individuals is what makes the debate and dialogue that much more interesting.

This is not about who is the greatest ever footballer. Our Top 10 Best Players in Europe list is about who we think is great right now. The criteria for making the list is based on recent form, goals scored, assists provided and overall performances and general brilliance of each player.

So get mad, get riled up or simply agree with who we think is lighting up Europe from a football perspective.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo = Real Madrid

2. Lionel Messi = Barcelona

3. Robin Van Persie = Arsenal

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic = AC Milan

5. Xavi = Barcelona

6. David Silva = Manchester City

7. Thiago Silva = AC Milan

8. Wayne Rooney = Manchester United

9. Sergio Aguero = Manchester City

10. Robert Lewandowski = Borussia Dortmund

Money, money, money…

Forbes magazine announced the top 10 richest clubs on the planet yesterday and Manchester United still rule the school when it comes to money.

Biggest surprise is Barcelona dropping from 4th to 5th place, even after their treble winning season. You would expect them to be in the top 3.

1. Manchester United {$1.86 billion}   2. Real Madrid {$1.45 billion}   3. Arsenal {$1.19 billion) 4. Bayern Munich {$1.1 billion}   5. Barcelona {$975 million}   6. AC Milan {$838 million}   7. Chelsea {$658 million}   8. Juventus {$628 million}   9. Liverpool {$552 million}   10. Inter Milan {$441 million}.

The richest players list was also revealed by Forbes yesterday. The one surprise here is that Ronaldinho is still bringing in some large coin. And John Terry must be a bit peeved that Lamps made the top 10 and he didn’t!

1. David Beckham {$40 million}   2. Cristiano Ronaldo {$38 million}   3. Lionel Messi {$32 million}   4. Ricardo Kaka {$25 million}   5. Ronaldinho {$24 million}   6. Thierry Henry {$21 million}   7. Wayne Rooney {$20 million}   8. Frank Lampard {$18 million}   8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic {$18 million}   10. Samuel Eto’o {$17 million}.

Cristiano Ronaldo once said “footballer’s are like slaves.” What do you think?

One thing is for sure, the next round is on one of these guys. And if  they were getting in the drinks, who would you like to be buying yours?

A star is born…

live_2_-_Stevan_Jov_898856aA future superstar was born in Europe last night. His name is Stevan Jovetic and he plays for Fiorentina. Dubbed the Montenegrin Messi, Jovetic is still only 19 and is being watched very carefully by the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United. It won’t be long before he’s playing for a much bigger club. No disrespect to Fiorentina, but they won’t be able to hold onto this boy wonder for much longer.

Jovetic tore Liverpool to shreds and made them look like an average team who got lucky to qualify for the Champions League. His touch and finishing was a technical master class. This might seem like high praise for a player who is still so young, but if you watched the same game I did, I’m thinking you’re thinking what I’m thinking. Are you?

As for Liverpool, they were woeful. And as for football, it’s a crazy game. Liverpool bang in six against Hull at the weekend and they can barely muster a kick of the ball against Fiorentina. Benitez needs to pick his men up. I’m sure they will recover, but they will have to put in a better performance than that. Shocking stuff from the scouse house. What happened to Liverpool? Do you think they were outclassed by Fiorentina?

Elsewhere across Europe it looked scary for Barcelona for about five seconds but they pulled through. Ibrahimovic is starting to shine and this was undoubtedly his best game so far for the Spanish side. After much debate following his record transfer from Inter Milan, Ibrahimovic could end up being a surprise star for Barcelona this season. How can you not become a better player when you are surrounded by Messi, Iniesta and Xavi? Right?

Arsenal took almost 80 minutes to finish off Olympiacos. The Greek goalkeeper Nikopolidis was sensational. He made one amazing save after the other and frustrated the Gunners at the Emirates. It was a good overall performance by the North London lads. Do you think Arsenal are looking good so far in the competition? Do you think Mannone can keep Almunia out of the team?

How about Rubin Kazan people? They should have won that game against Inter Milan. The Russians had plenty of chances to finish the game off but they just couldn’t find that final touch. And right at the end their captain had a golden chance to be the hero but he struck the post. They were a delight to watch. Inter Milan on the other hand did not have a good night. Jose Mourinho must have caused an avalanche of spit in that dressing room. It wasn’t a good result for the Italians. This just proves that every game is a tough game and nothing can be taken for granted in the Champions League.

Goals of the night…1. Stevan Jovetic’s 1st for Fiorentina. Classy. Clinical. Future superstar 2. Pedro for Barcelona. What a touch with both feet in the box to score a beauty. 3. Alejandro Dominguez for Rubin Kazan. A dart of a shot to shock the Italians to their core. Delicious! Honorable mention goes to Arshavin for Arsenal. Even though it was a touch offside, you can’t help but admire the brilliant build-up and then the cheeky finish for the Gunners second goal. What goals stood out for you? Who buried the best?

Talk around the pub is…

42-17021668John Terry a.k.a JT and Mr.Chelsea is staying at the Bridge. This could mean he’ll be on his way to Manchester City in a week or so!!! Stranger things have happened but it does look like the Chelsea faithful got luckier than a lottery winner this summer. Their boy has vowed to fight on for the Blues. Could be one of their best signings this summer! What do you guys think?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sealed his switch from Inter Milan to Barcelona. Eto’o is supposedly going from Barcelona to Inter Milan. I think we’ll go larger on these two stories once we see the lads in their new pin stripes! Who would you prefer on your team…Zlatan or Eto’o?

Peter Crouch is on the verge of moving from Portsmouth to Tottenham. I guess he misses his old boss Harry Redknapp. What is it about ‘Arry the lads love so much? I’d play for ‘Arry. But will he partner Keane or Defoe or will he come off he bench?

Looks like Arsenal might lose yet another player. Kolo Toure is close to joining Manchester City. Adebayor desperately wants his dancing pal to join the City revolution. Will Toure leave Arsenal for the megabucks of the North? Should Arsenal be worried about losing another player? Can Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela, Eduardo, Djourou, Kieran Gibbs & Co step in to save Wenger if he doesn’t splash the cash a little this summer?

Darren Bent, the 17 million pound Spurs flop could be bound for the North of England and a place in the Sunderland starting line-up. Crouch leaving…Bent arriving…makes sense to me, how about you?

Stuart Downing joined Aston Villa from Middlesborough even though he’s injured and won’t be able to kick a ball until October! Never saw the fuss about this player and don’t rate him as an international at all. Lots to prove as far as I’m concerned. Do you guys rate Downing?

Honorable mentions…Zat Knight joins Bolton from Aston Villa. Sam Ricketts joins Bolton from Hull City. Dean Whitehead leaves Sunderland for Stoke City.