Rumors & player movements. Who should go where.

Ken, thanks for the link. I still remember that game. It was one of his greatest performances that day. I still remember his contest with Veron, and how he made Veron look like an idiot. Inter defence looked like a bunch of nervous clowns in front of Riquelme.

Ken,
I have seen you comment about the styles of ugly football Liverpool and Chelsea play. Here is my take on that:

The first priority in footabll is winning. If you win, then you think about how to win with style and beauty. Unfortunately, Chelsea and Liverpool both are teams based on hardworking, physically tough and dull players in their prime. They arent good enough to have time to think of good football. But they still keep winning a priority. Do you think Chelsea will be the same with the same players but without Mourinho? No, never. Thats where strategy is important in such teams where players are less skilful, but very physical and dedicated.

Regarding Tevez, I have always said that Tevez should stay at West Ham for two years. Even when he wasnt scoring goals, I was the one saying he is learining life there. I want him to stay, because I dont think he will be a superstar whereever he goes: Man U , real Madrid, Chelasea. Two bad games in a row, and he will be out in the bench. However, talented these youngesters may be, a few bad games, and they will be forgotten. So its important that you establish yourself first as a superstar. It doesnt take too long to become a Saviola if you dont plan your career properly.

Seeing the attitude tevez has shown recently, I can see him as the next biggest name since Maradona.
Regarding Messi, I want him to see play in a team without Ronaldinho, Etto and deco, and see where he actually stands as a performer.

And Riquelme will never come up and say that he took back his retirement and wants to come back to the NT. Somebody has to go to him and plead to come back. And I dont see that happening. But I am sure Basile is feeling his lack in the team, and would give him the role again anyday hje comes back. So its quite complicated.

Posted from  United States

Riquelme,
Great post. That pass, piercing through 6 defenders, looked so much better as a followup to your post.

He is the closest to Zidane (yet so different), Argentina has ever produced. To have a player like Riquelme in the team is a privilege.

Posted from  United States

My dream Copa line-up,

—————Pato

——Ayala—Milito—Heinze

Burdisso——Masch—Zanetti

—-Messi————Riquelme

———-Tevez

—————-Crespo

I guess, it’s general 3-5-2 formation.

Defense:
- 3 centerbacks
- 2 defensive mids, Mascherano & Zanetti. Now, Burdisso will cover both rightback & defensive mids, depending on situation
- All 3 are crucials coz defense will start as early & higher as possible to prevent counters & late-game slip-ups

Midfield – Masch, Burdisso, Zanetti, Riquelme & Messi:
- will provide solid passing, ball control & high possession
- mixed of speed & slow magicians
- enough width in the middle

Attacking – Riquelme, Messi & Tevez:
- they’re really hot right now
- deadball specialists

Crespo:
- off the ball specialist
- great, great goal (6 yards) poacher

To bloggers: Ken, Riquelme, Maradona & other beloved bloggers, it MUST be THIS YEAR! It’s about time!

Bless u’all

Posted from  Malaysia

Prediction for the game tomorrow:

Argentina 2 – 0 Algeria

Crespo
Tevez

Posted from  United States

Prediction:
3-1

Posted from  United States

Asil,
I wish your dream team becomes reality because it has a lot of thrust and looks like a winning team to me.

Riquelme, the blogger
Thanks for your response. The slow magician must decide to make the come back. The decision depends ONLY on him. With regards to your recent posting I like your description of mediocre players as “…dull players in their prime”. This is poetic justice to the beautiful game. Keep on writing sir..

I am following the Tevez move closely. I hope he stays at WestHam for just another year. He will be more than a legend. His never-die attitude is unrivalled at this time. He has been able to prove effectively that the pursue of persistence is key to sucess

Algeria ranks first in the group for African Nations Cup qualification. Basile faces certain issues regarding players fitness from Spanish league, especially top 6 teams.

Talking about Spanish League, what Basile think about Aguero?

Argentina 1 – 0 Algeria

Posted from  Malaysia

Asil,

it appears to me based on Basile’s comments, he likes to pick players that are peaking for their local clubs. Hence he Crespo, Tevez, Messi. Aguero has potential but he is not peaking at this time, unfortunately for him.

I missed Vicks and Alexa…

Maxilopez, keep on writing…

Unfortunately, Aguero doesnt make the cut. He has not impressed at Athletico yet and just hasnt had much playing time. He needs to prove himself at the club level first – live up to the hype, if you will. Currently, I would easily choose Tevez, Crespo, D Milito, Saviola, Palacio and Zarate before him.

Posted from  United States

Maradona, the blogger

good posting. I would like to see Palacio making the team at this time. I believe that he can do better than Crespo.. Will he get a chance though for Copa america? It remains to be seen…

In my previous posting, genious= genius, sorry

Life is too short for Riquelme, the blogger to elaborate about Riquelme, the unique magician. Just have a a glimpse at this one. Is n’t this greatness?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VJ_ytCamb8&mode=related&search=

To KEN & RIQUELME the blogger:
LOVE for Boca makes you blind man. I just make fun of you, it is so funny when you post video to convince me. The last video especially, pffff LOL ! It is a direct corner, a direct corner like there are hundred scored every week end in the world.
Pff, D’alessandro scored a direct against Sevilla, so D’allessandro is a magician and shoud start as enganche for the NT. Riquelme has got great flashes sometimes, it is true, I love his game, but I prefer a consisting player who fights on the pitch who is efficient each game and not once per 3 games. If Riquelme was as good as you say, why isn’t he still not in BIG european club ? You are really pathetic with you Riquelme, that’s because of you if ARGENTINA does not win any more since 14 years. That’s because of you if the team is composed a silly “beautiful game players” but “pathetic losers players” too.
Where was Riquelme against Mexico ? Against Germany ? Let Messi and Tevez work fine without this “I never defend” player. We don’t need him, moreover he quited the NT ! Who can afford to do it ? Who does he think he is to quit the NT ?
I won’t forgive him for what he did to argentina.

OK , ASIL :
You formation, I think is not good, Burdisso and Zanetti are not well used.

The real formation:

Zanetti-Ayala-Milito-Heinze
Mascherano–Gago–Cambiasso
Messi————-Tevez
Crespo

The real formation in 2010:
——Ustari
Burdisso-Samuel-Milito-Heinze
—–Mascherano–Gago—-
Messi—————-Maxi R.
—————Tevez
——Higuain——

For the people who think that Heinze or Samuel will be to old:
Never forget that a defender is in his prime after 30 years old, Cannavaro and ayala are 33 today… The older argentinian in my formation will be 31 or 32… Don’t forget D. Milito and Aguero too…

Posted from  France

wamdiego10,
You are uncouth and you obviously dont understand soccer. Gago as playmaker! – you make me laugh. I rather not waste my time on your posts.

Posted from  United States

for all of you who think that messi cannot be a playmaker,

first let’s discuss the factors behind being a great playmaker:
1)passing ability whether short or long
2)ability to retain the ball whether possession among the team (keeping it with team by passing and that will require stamina as you are going to run my friend all the time) or retaining it with him despite of marking(perfect example is requelme as i don’t recall somebody who has this ability other than him due to his physical strength & technique) or through dribbling & speed (maradona)
3)shooting ability (accuracy nd power)
4)mental streangth
5)vision (not a skill but more of tactical intelligence that could be trained)

obviously nobody has mastered all those skills, the only one who was almost there is maradona (4.9/5)who would be there if he was bigger and stronger(of course then he will be slow and no meaning of being maradona) and wasn’t on drugs (again then he will not be maradona)

out of those 5 i will give riquelme a score of 3.5/5 why? he is slow and most of the time is depressed

zidane is 4/5 he had the vision , the mental strength (except the final against italy) , passing ability, shooting but slow .

aimar is 2.5/5 ( i know that will piss all aimar lovers) but honestly that’s why i think he is an ordinary playmaker he doesn’t shoot well, not great with long passses, not that great dribbler and didn’t prove himself in big matches.

kaka is 3/5 so where is he better than aimar? only that he is a fast dribbler (on counterattacks only) and has a strong foot due to his physique otherwise he is easily elliminated with a good marker (my pal mascherano )

so where is messi?

he needs to improve his tactical vision which is not a talent that could not be trained, he needs to work on his shooting ability and am sure he has it (he showed that wc 2005),it is just that the type of game that barca plays is more of a passing game.
Other than that, the kid proved to be a man of big matches; remember chelsi last year or real this year that proves his mental strength. he is the best dribbler in the world right now and his passing whether long or short are excellent he just needs to master when to pass and when to dribble.

so if you don’t want to give him the chance and enought time in the NT don’t expect him to do it in barca (rijkaard doesn’t play that style)

adios

Posted from  Hong Kong

I really don’t understand why you people only want a single playmaker on the field. To you, Riquelme VS Aimar VS Messi. Why couldn’t we use them, SOMETIMES, together? At least 2? Any team can afford this except Argentina!

I liked your post WamDiego. Even if i don’t agree 100% with you (the Barca formation). I understand your opinion concerning Riquelme.

Bajado, if you define Pirlo as the playmaker for Italy, then Gago is a playmaker too. Playmakers in modern futbol are becoming more defensive and build more than before from behind. Riquelme does this also in front. At Villareal it was impressive, he was everywhere! I also think that Gago and Riquelme could be embarrassed playing together. Their playing is similar. In Europe, Gago can be considered like a playmaker but in Argentina.

Riquelme the blogger, think about it: Roman never defends and didn’t manage to play well against the Germans. Defensively and mentally, this is very negative in modern futbol. Very important: he left the NT, that’s why many many many people in Argentina say he’s a loser. But despite of all this, he’s an artist, a fabulous player and Argentina NT still needs him. Basile must give him a less important role than before, Roman must not feel pressure. At the beginning he should even use him as a sub. In the team, the bosses must be Ayala & Mascherano.

By the way, Riquelme has left the NT. We shouldn’t even talk about him. Maybe he even doesn’t want to come back to protect his mother. Have you thought about this Riquelme the blogger?

“Any team can’t afford this except Argentina!”

“Gago can be considered like a playmaker but not in Argentina”.

Mistakes!

guys do you know how to watching the game tonight??
please help me..
thanks..

Posted from  Indonesia

To Aron :This may help you’ll need to install sopcast which has a link there.

http://www.myp2p.us/Matches/Match3.htm

Regarding Cambiasso ,Masche & Gago are the first choices for Basile.

Cambiasso is a very good player maybe he could play in a more advanced role as he has done with sucess at Inter at times.

Give Aguero time and a sucessful u20 World Cup (similarly for Higuain next season )as we saw with Tevez as I mentioned it takes time even form the best palyers to settle into a new country & footballing pysche.

As for Aimar he can’t shoot ,his shooting accuracy percentage is on a par with most strikers.

He has never had confidence placed in him by the coach at NT level. As for Riquelme it’s no co-incidence that when he was withdrawn against Germany the midfield started to collapse & pressure started to build.

He’s an artist .His vision compensates for his lack of pace & quite a few of the assists for our WC goals came from his boots. So let’s not discard him or lambast him for the team’s perceived failures.

We played superb Argentinian football last summer but Lady Luck was not there.

Btw Maxilopez have you compiled your analysis of that game esp. the challenge on Maxi by Lahm ?

Posted from  United States

maxiLopez,

there is no problem in having two playmakers but usually playmakers are given low if no definsive role. remember offensive midfielders like gerard in liverpool particularly is given a lot of defensive duty but can we say he is a playmaker …the same thing goes for lampard….so who is the coach that will free two of his midfielders of the dirty work?

i agree with you that a deep playmaker like pirlo is becoming more attractive nowadays..remember veron in inter…however i think such scheme needs good midfielders in both defence and offence like maxi rodreguiez who is one of rare argentinean midfielders who can do both jobs with excellence…lucho and cambiasso are not rounded as this player that i wish i see him soon with the NT…

Posted from  Saudi Arabia

What time is the game??

Game starts at 12pm PST

Posted from  United States

Thank you Messi

Has anyone found a decent link that is online at the moment? All the links have a clicked on either do not work or say the channel is offline!

Posted from  United States

bajado :
Pff I make fun of you ! my god ! can’t you see ? Gago is a defensive midfielder, on the front of the defence !
Don’t read my post because you can’t read !

Argentina 1:2 Algeria?

What is happening?

Posted from  Australia