ponsaelius

In a lot of ways it has been the perfect signing if you're a fan of Italian football. It was good for the league's image while at the same time being an act of hubristic self-sabotage to the betterment of competitiveness

I don't see what that list of players does to refute anything that I've said. It is hardly a net spend as in the same time they've sold over 400 million euros worth of players. And the two years prior to signing Ronaldo they'd made a profit on transfers. In the economics of current Italian football dropping 250 million euros across 4 seasons on one player (who will ultimately leave on a free) is undoubtedly a poor allocation of resources and it has contributed significantly to making the team worse. Last summer they basically signed 3 players on loan (as you've included in your list) because they couldn't afford to stretch to buy them upfront. "He's the only thing keeping them alive at the minute". He's really not. His 1 goal from open play against the top 4 teams, and his two assists in the league this season, is that of a player who has simply scored goals against lots of poor sides. Lots of average players manage to score plenty of goals in Serie A so it would not have been difficult for Juventus to get somebody else to do the same, for far less money, and have them in exactly the same place in the league. Ronaldo was signed for them to do better in the CL - and that hasn't happened. And they've at the same time gone backwards domestically. I don't have a problem with him as a player at all - he's certainly still a very good player. He's just not at his current age worth anywhere near they've paid for him - particularly in terms of the wages. And I'm also absolutely delighted that they made the decision to completely hamstrung themselves with him because they're a hateful club, and it's great for the competitiveness of the league.

The people in this discussion who actually watch Serie A and Juventus regularly have been able to objectively make a reasonable assessment that Ronaldo has scored goals, but that the team has got worse, in a clear and marked decline over the last 3 years in all competitons. His best individual goalscoring season statistically this year has coincided with the teams worst season in terms of actual on pitch results. It's also in terms of actual performances been Ronaldo's worst season as he inevitably declines at this age (and nobody can blame him for that). As I have said previously, Juventus have not historically been a club that signed aging star players for big money. They never have been. They have bought players in their prime or brought through young players and made stars. They also never had problem selling star players for big money - be that Zidane or Pogba. Zidane went and Nedved came and the team was more successful. Pogba went and they made a CL final that season. They have also always had a core of Italian players that was the clubs consistent identity. The signing of a 33 year old which so fundamentally broke their existing wage structure, to a point to where it absolutely hamstrung their ability to spend properly on the squad - represented a fundamental shift in the clubs identity and transfer policy. This has clearly been to their detriment where it actually matters on the pitch - regardless of other failed signings and failed managerial appointments that followed. The above culture shift and resulting economic reality from can be perhaps most clearly summed up with the signing of Chiesa. This is the kind of player they would have signed previously for relatively big money, from another Italian club, but of a good age and on sensible wages. He has undoubtedly been their best performer this season in all the big games - CL, Serie A and in the Coppa Italia final yesterday. However in order to sign him they've had to fudge the books and basically delay most of the transfer fee by a season. This is a direct result of bad squad building and bad fiscal management in previous years - of which Ronaldo, for all his goals, is emblematic of. But anyway. This is a boring argument. Because with Ronaldo and Messi fanboys it is seemingly impossible to engage in rational discussion.

They did sign Ramsey too though. On a freebie. Because they'd blown their entire budget for the next 4 years on one player.

I'm sure the Juve Ultras are delighted that they sacrificed a dynasty of domination for shirt sales to the benefit of a German sports brand.

Of course it is fair. The team has got demonstrably worse year on year since he joined. If they'd spent his 100 million fee and 32 million a year wages on refreshing the team they'd be better off. There is absolutely no doubt about it. Instead they built their team around Ronaldo to the detriment of on pitch results. At least he's finally managed to beat out Quagliarella and Immobile to the top scorer award though. Happy days for the brand.

Atrocious second half from Atalanta. Pure Steve McClaren tactics at the end.

Forza Atalanta!

Anybody bought the sticker book? I've resisted temptation so far but it's getting harder all the time.

I should be alright for next Wednesday. Will put my tinfoil hat away for it.

Piss poor Milan.

Nah it goes on H2H. If they drew and Real won then title would be Real Madrid's

Delighted Atletico won but they really are never convincing. Wouldn't bet on them winning next weekend under pressure with Valladolid also needing to win.

Atletico bottling it.

Simy just hit an injury time equaliser (20th of the season) for 10 man Crotone there to relegate Benevento. Good news for Milan perhaps as it means Cagliari are safe and have nothing to play for tonight now.

Still need Milan to win later against Cagliari who are in good form. Wouldn't fancy Milan to win away at Atalanta last game who will be trying to finish 2nd.

VAR getting it bang on there for the Inter goal.

Genoa 3-4 Atalanta now. They love making it nervous FFS.

Yeah that's what I mean. Milan would only need 1 more point and Napoli only one more win.

0-3 now. Absolutely cruising. Free to air as well for anybody looking for a game to watch. I think if Inter take anything from Juve later then it's over. Napoli have Verona last day who's form has been atrocious for months and are marrooned in 10th.

And they've just gone 1-0 up!

4th division side (promoted from 5th last season) playing in the Coupe de France semis against Monaco. Such a brilliant competition.

Ha ha ha. I'm not sure by impressive really. I don't have that many rare ones - just stuff I've picked up when travelling or on a whim because I liked a player. What's a bit of a shame is that a combination of ClassicFootballShirts and vintage fashion has sent the price of rare older kits through the roof. My favourites that I have are probably by Bari 1999/2000 (Cassano #99) and Udinese 2010/11 (Di Natale #10).

How could we say for sure that Armstrong is only Championship level. He's never played in the top flight and has clearly gotten better year on year. 28 goals this season is a brilliant return. It's a shame we mismanaged him as badly as we did. The lad played at every level for England up to U21.

A Europa League tie between Santa Clara and Luch Energiya Vladivostok or SKA Khabarovsk is the dream. Santa Clara are heavily linked to Benfica I think - their badge is almost the same.