ponsaelius

Agents know the game and how things work better than any footballer. They look out for the players' interests and help to stop them getting screwed over by the huge corporations that football clubs are. They're more powerful than an individual player too, since an agency will usually represent loads of players. That in itself acts as a kind of collective unionisation that a player on their own wont have. Clubs won't want to piss off an agency if it'll impact them in the future when wanting to sign a different player, and in the same way being on positive terms with an agent can have benefits. They're not ideal, and it's clear that a significant number of them are dodgy as fuck. However if they weren't around you'd have players being exploited, particularly those that aren't playing at the top level and aren't on huge money. Necessary evil, probably.

Aye, lots of foreign-born residents who don't have full citizenship. A bit similar to Switzerland and their immigrant population. Can imagine that's offputting for somebody like Pjanic that half of his family didn't have passports but they wanted him to play for their team. I think they greatly relaxed the laws on naturalisation recently though.

They've seemed to have improved in recent years. Yep. Like I mentioned before Pjanic grew up there and came through their system, so they were unlucky to lose a star player there. Population wise they're bigger than Iceland and about the same size as Montenegro, so they really shouldn't be quite as bad as they have been.

Tbf, Luxembourg are probably a bit underachieving. 600k population and surrounded by major footballing nations. Also a big immigrant population from other footballing nations (Portugal in particular). You'd expect them to be a bit better than a total minnow, but I guess growing up to become a banker or some shit is more pervasive to the youth.

Nearly hit the roof when Luxembourg hit the post there

Although he's not playing now, It's weird how Nani is that for Portugal. Aye I did a double take recently when I saw he had well over 100 caps. Quaresma too. It's weird how that golden generation belatedly came good together last year even if it was in the most boring way possible.

Vincent Thill the #10 for Luxembourg. 17 years old, born in 2000 and into double figures for caps already. Similar career path as Pjanic from Luxembourg and then through the Metz academy, but Luxembourg won't be missing out on this one if he comes good.

Yeah Kadar seems to have gradually forged out a decent career for himself. He's one of the experienced heads in that Hungary side in terms of caps.

Great video but Bleacher want to sack whoever did the subtitles. "Should of" ffs.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/sep/03/darius-vassell-goat-sacrificed-book-ankaragucu?CMP=share_btn_tw

Not born in Germany. Probably not 12 years old.

Looks like a schoolbairn. Some story. Thing with Wales is their squad pool is always so thin they regularly seem to include any promising teenager. Bale scored at 17. They had a 16 year old on the bench today as well.

That kid who scored for Wales was 5 minutes into his debut at 17. Amazing.

Spain are clearly miles ahead in terms of midfield talent but it's been a dreadful performance. The one thing Italy have always been good at is setting up to negate other teams strengths and exaggerate their own. Conte managed that with a weaker Italy side last year. Now they've got Verratti instead of Parolo, Belotti instead of Pelle, Insigne instead of Giaccherini - and look far worse. No idea what Ventura is doing. They just extended his contract last month as well.

Spain absolutely destroyed Italy in 2012 when Italy played a 4 man defence. Confed Cup in 2013 and Euros last year Italy beat them with a back 3. I know Chiellini is out but Rugani is no mug to step in. Otherwise you have to have 3 in midfield against Spain if you've not got the extra CB. Playing 2 in there on their own and little help from the wide players is really insane. One of the worst team selections I've ever seen from any manager.

Shambles from Ventura. It's like a team you'd play in a video game not in a real match.

Yeah this system is ridiculous from Ventura. Has he never watched Spain play?

It was 4-2-4 in their last two qualifiers, with the wide players playing way up the pitch. Unlikely to be the case today admittedly but Insigne is not really somebody who can do defensive work. Was expecting them to play a back 3 today but I guess Chiellini's injury forced their hand.

And Italy are playing 4-2-4

FA Cup not the Trophy. Good result winning 0-2. N. Shields vs Dunston for me today. Decent crowd of 352. Shields were shite losing 1-3. Cracking hattrick from Dunston lad.

Part of the furniture.

Butthurt Isn't this bloke well past middle age?

USMNT continuing to make a mess of things. Absolutely gasping for a USA vs Syria play-off.

Tremoulinas has had endless debilitating knee injuries, still crocked now.