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Media discussion - 2024/25
- Thread starter Ric
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Kinkybyname
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- Manchester City
a gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
As usual, a very well thought out piece. No one in authority will take any notice but he is bang on the money. The clubs that run the league have pressed the self destruct button, all to try and stop City. They have already stopped Newcastle (whose fans don't seem bothered.) Villa, Brighton and others cannot grow because of PSR, (to be regularly contesting for a top four spot) and the rest just seem happy to get scraps from the top table.a gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
Lessons in stupidity and greed part 1.
But at least they'll eventually have their favourite three teams contesting the top spot every season.As usual, a very well thought out piece. No one in authority will take any notice but he is bang on the money. The clubs that run the league have pressed the self destruct button, all to try and stop City. They have already stopped Newcastle (whose fans don't seem bothered.) Villa, Brighton and others cannot grow because of PSR, (to be regularly contesting for a top four spot) and the rest just seem happy to get scraps from the top table.
Lessons in stupidity and greed part 1.
a gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
Funny one or two clubs never stops spending! The scum PSR cheats billion in debt bought 4 players and probably still buy more ten bob has spent near on 550m! That is the problem they feel untouchable as a club no media criticism about there finances there spending! Also knowing asking for way over the top Covid money it will get given because they have written up documentation the Money there has lost because of missing out on summer friendlies!
searsleftpeg
Well-Known Member
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a gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in
All done in the name of "Stop City" .a gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
And Tebas has an issue with us & the PL administration!! Blinkered or whata gloomy forecast from Mr Samuel:
Well, we had a good run. It was in 2018 that Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid and 2021 when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona. So for three full seasons the Premier League had the field to itself ? and blew it.
"We are in a golden age of Premier League football," cooed the competition's preview to its season last week. "We are in a sweet spot." No, we were, but it's over. Normal service has been resumed. Real Madrid are, once again, the team to beat, Barcelona have a crop of young Spanish players that are the envy of Europe, including the sensational Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Meanwhile, English football has descended into a squabble about who spent what and why, that may be decided in the coming months, or not. As acts of selfharm go, it is quite incredible how the competition has let this slip.
The summer transfer window, normally a time of high excitement, is by comparison dead. Niclas Füllkrug, a hard-working centre forward, 32 in February, who has reached double figures in the Bundesliga three times in his career, is being built up as though he is Erling Haaland, having signed for West Ham United. The biggest transfer of the summer took Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and the self-proclaimed biggest and best league in the world was nowhere near it. Below, there was a pattern of big transfers in which
English football lost good players ? Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa to Juventus and Moussa Diaby from Villa to Al-Ittihad ? and the biggest domestic transfer of the summer took Bournemouth's striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. And Solanke's a very good player, exactly what Tottenham need. But pulses aren't racing as a result. If that's the summer's marquee signing, we've seen it done bigger, and better.
When Juninho signed for Middlesbrough in 1995 one correspondent called for torches to be lit across the hills in the north because "Brazil's No10 is coming to England". As recently as January 2023, João Gomes, of Flamengo, turned down Lyon for Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was only a £15million transfer, and seemingly insignificant, but at the time Lyon had qualified for Europe in 24 of the previous 26 seasons, while Wolves had made it once since 1980-81. They were fighting relegation at the time too.
Yet the deal showed English football on top. Then came the great Profitability and Sustainability Rules inquisition and now Premier League clubs are running scared. A significant number were linked with Dani Olmo, another of the breakout stars of Spain's European Championship success, but he went to Barcelona from RB Leipzig; just like the old days.
It is not only stellar names that are affected. Newcastle United have been trying to shed players to ensure financial adherence. Miguel Almiròn is 30 and on that list. He's a cracking footballer, wholehearted, skilful, he could do a job at any number of clubs outside the very elite of the Premier League, and
Newcastle want a little more than £15 million. Yet no nibbles. Newcastle tried to do a deal with MLS franchise Charlotte FC, but were offered half of what they wanted. And clubs here are just frozen in fear. Sean Dyche confirmed last week that every member of Everton's first-team squad is for sale, yet business is slow, beyond Manchester United's low-balling for Jarrad Branthwaite. In January, Brentford wisely bought Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for a record fee in Belgian football, in anticipation of a summer bidding war for Ivan Toney. Tumbleweed.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, braves it out publicly but if he is not concerned privately he is a complacent fool. This is now a depressed market in a competition that had nothing to be depressed about. We have caused our own depression. There used to be a character on Saturday Night Live called Debbie Downer. She'd go to Disneyland and ask the guy dressed as Pluto if he wasn't worried about terrorist attacks or getting heatstroke. That's us. the Premier
League was Disneyland. Ronaldo quit Madrid. Even better. Messi moved on from Barcelona. We surely couldn't believe our luck. And we've turned that into this downward spiral: no Jürgen Klopp, no Harry Kane, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Saudi Arabia circling our biggest remaining stars, one English team left in Europe after the quarter-final stage last season ? Aston Villa in the Conference League ? a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable even two years ago.
The performance from Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Super Cup showed how far, and how quickly, English football has fallen behind. We have no idea of our best team this season because Manchester City could be dismantled, with Pep Guardiola and most of the leading players gone this time next year. And where will they go? Not to clubs here if this summer is any evidence. Madrid are already Europe's marker. The lovely pass from Jude Bellingham to Mbappé for their second goal in midweek was notice served. This team is better than the famed galactico era because Carlo Ancelotti will always ensure balance. And who will be Madrid's rivals? Most likely Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or one of several European clubs English football has turned strong again.
The Premier League made England the place to be. That's why the major clubs of Europe ganged up on it.
They needn't have bothered.
We've shackled ourselves. And if you look at the ages of the players at Madrid and Barcelona, we're going to be outside again for a very long time.
" It has been a swift decline in power and influence unimaginable two years ago
peter.evans
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- 4 Oct 2012
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It doesn't help when, with virtually his first sentence on motd, we get Joe Hart saying Liverpool are one of the greatest teams ever. What does that make City !?The Dippers football described as ”breathtaking!”
The state of the UK press……two months ago it was unfair that City were so good that the Premiership was getting boring because it was so one sided and predicting the title winners was becoming too predictable and inevitable……now the players are too old, Pep wants out etc etc.
It’s pathetic and desperation !!!
It’s pathetic and desperation !!!
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I don't know what it makes City but it makes Joe Hart into a bland boring yes man. Too afraid to go against the script he's been given.It doesn't help when, with virtually his first sentence on motd, we get Joe Hart saying Liverpool are one of the greatest teams ever. What does that make City !?