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Probably. I can understand calls for a British Football team for the Olympics but for actual football events (the Euros and the World Cup), individual countries are definitely the way to go. Out identities are too strong to be represented by the same football team. Slightly different for Geordies maybe as we don't identify with the rest of England as much in general. You can say this for so many countries, many where the divisions are vastly more important relative to the country. The UK really should not be different just because of the historical implications on the sport. Senegal can only call three overage players, it would be a bit bold to call two from the same club. Senegal has plenty of talent to choose from in the European leagues.

Same question to you: has it been confirmed that Luiz' and Cahill's injuries are so serious they are out for the rest of the season? The final is in 4 weeks plenty of time to get them both patched up. I think Luiz was said to be out for about two or three weeks a week and a half ago. I think he will probably make it.

Fully agree. I'd rather have my team have playing every game with 80 % of possession instead of scoring a goal, instead of winning a game. This is the age old art vs. efficiency debate, and it's useless to get into as it's always a polarized one. But it's a little misguided in this case, as Chelsea were horsesh1t and played like they were scared of Barca. They took their few chances well, but it still reeked of a team afraid and hanging on. It was small-club mentality on the biggest stage in world football -- a stage most of us place even higher than international football and the World Cup final. If we can't tune into the Champions League to watch an even game, where should we turn? Anyway, as I said, I'm not gonna continue this as it'll never end. Chelsea played the way most conducive to them winning the match, their attacking play has been disjointed, inconsistent, and slow for over a year now. What their team does possess is dominant physical strength and a wealth of experience throughout the side and this was utilised effectively. They were poor for 45 minutes out of 180, the first half tonight. The second half performance was brilliant from them. Absolutely fantastic defending from 9 players and great holdup play by the lone striker.

Possession is an obsolete, useless, and generally incorrect statistic. If you ever studied the way it is computed, you would realise that it has no place in a football discussion such as the one we are currently engaged in. The only way to really judge what occurred in a football match is to have watched the football match, and this is unfortunate.

Why is McLeish still employed, btw? His name doesn't even get mentioned as someone who could lose their position, as the club slide further and further down the table.

The length of that "sound" is incredible, it is nearly ten seconds. In the video it lasts from the 9 second mark to the 17 second mark. Just another mental thing about tonight, man.

Dear me. I know. It's f***ing laughable. Yeah, let's just forget about the two goals that he actually scored in the two CL finals that he's played in and won, and use one penalty miss to judge him forever. He's the best player in the world against anyone other than Chelsea it seems. I cannot actually believe he's failed to score against them all of these years. He must have played them nearly ten times.

Follow a different sport. Game was fantastic. My heart was beating at a crazy rate, and I didn't even have a supporting interest.

If we finish 3rd, 5th, or 6th, I than I won't begrudge Chelsea winning the title at all. It will be fully deserved, and I have an affinity for any team that knocks Barcelona down. If we finish 4th, I hope all of their players receive overstretch their hamstrings and they lose by ten.

There is a reason that Malouda and especially Essien weren't playing today or in the first leg.

This is amazing. Everything about this is amazing. What an incredible match.

Sky will be wanking themselves silly at the prospect I don't mind. When's the last time we had a proper title-decider. In England? Manchester United-Chelsea the last two seasons?

This is absurd. Great play by the Moroccan as well.

That goal just seemed far too easy. Ridiculously so.

Mascherano is quite rubbish in central defence. Barcelona generally have defended disgracefully in the last two matches.

Tello looks nervous. Should replace him. I cannot imagine how this is possible.

He is just a mad Area boy. Nothing more.

Take you nonsense to the NBA thread. It is Clasico and also QPR. "What a day for Newcastle"

If you want to talk about overrated players, please discuss Adam Johnson. Never seen anyone be rated so highly by supporters while failing to contribute anything of substance. He looks talented and skillful, but where is the production on the pitch.

I don't have the information, time, or energy to calculate medians, deviations, and outliers. Take the information at face value, for the love of God. You cannot possibly think that Simpson will accept the idea of "Everyone here is better than me and i am actually detrimental to the team's success. I should receive wages a fraction of what they earn". No athlete has this mentality. Coloccini is on 80 per week or something like this. Santon, and both Taylors will earn more than 25,000. Only Williamson will receive comparably low pay. It is not a Guthrie situation, there is no reason for the player to think he is not indispensable.

A quick search finds a Daily mail article that states the average Premiership wage as £22,353 a week. Danny is a player who played in every single match for a team that will compete in Europe next season. Hardly average. You can understand why he believes he is worth more. If the parties representing the club and those representing the player have a fundamental disagreement regarding his value, then let him leave for the good of both.

If he's physically assaulted/raped her, then jail is where he belongs. If the girl is telling stories, then she should have to serve a sentence. I've seen both sides of this. I know women that have been raped and men (an athlete, in fact) who have been falsely accused. I sympathise with both. Wild things happen when you mix foolish young girls, sexually aggressive young men, and drugs. Lines are blurred.

Mertesacker is a bit dodgy and Djourou is s***. Perhaps shifting Vermaelen to left back? Mertesacker is an international defender of many years for a reason he will come good, Djourou is not s*** imo atleast for a 4th choice defender i cant think of that many better 4th choice defenders and Verm is s*** at LB imo Never once been impressed with him in that position. To me they should buy some Sagna back up, a proper LB, Cesc replacement( that might be Wilshere tho), Podolski and perhaps a DM. Despite his size, he is weak and slow. He's an acceptable Premiership defender but he will never be great. Arsenal have a good defensive midfielder in Song. The problem is the super aggressive attacking style they play. Watch the DMs at other clubs. They sit back, block the opposition, and spread the ball. Song is often in and around the penalty box making runs and attempting dangerous passes that can easily be intercepted. Even Vermaelen pushes forward a crazy amount when they have the ball. I don't understand why they chose to leave themselves so exposed.

Kalou is actually quite a decent player. Quick, good feet, and always fairly prolific in terms of goals and assists considering his role the last few seasons. Frankly, I would be somewhat surprised if he leaves. Boas froze him out (along with a few other players who have performed decently under Matteo) but he has constantly been in and around the starting eleven under the new management and seems to be preferred to Sturridge.

Monaco haven't lost since February or something like that. They spent most of the season looking like hey would drop to the third division.