Village Idiot

I just love arguing about football, forgive me Regarding Xavi/Messi, I do think that Messi sits on the throne that Xavi builds.

What about his thoughball for Torres in the Euro 2008 Final, or his pin point cross to Messi in the Champions League Final? Frankly you don't have a clue what you're talking about and should quit while you're behind. Well that would simply mean that he was unable to reproduce his Barcelona form for this World Cup (at least in terms of assist). This again puts the comparison with Zidane into perspective who had no problems reproducing his Madrid form for France. Aye, France 2002 was a smash after he had won the CL with Real. Funnily he had a shit season at club level in 2006 before carrying France to the final. Again, this wonderful Madrid form that people talk about made him win a grand total of two trophies in 5 seasons there. I know it's a team game, but if people keep bringing out how he turned in at big moments, etc... surely I can say how after winning the CL in 2002 he failed to help Madrid progress from the friggin first knockout round for the remainder of his career? That he has lost more European (3) finals that he has won (1)? Fine, you can ignore me because of my colors, but I do think Zidane is overrated. Wonderful player sure, but not even the best player of his time.

Well they are rolling in it since Beckham's insurance money has kicked in. They probably think they need another star player on inflated wages. Big mistake. If they just stick with Buddle and Donovan they'll walk it to being champions. This is their last chance too, since Donovan is almost certainly off to Everton in January on a free. Can they have so many DPs in their books? I know that Donovan isn't one, but Donovan+Becks+Ronaldinho = two bags of crisps for the rest of the squad as the wage cap kicks in.

Not yet. But he will be sold. I can see him going for next to no money nearing the end of the window a la Gudjohnsen.

I'm trying to think of a player that would be a a good replacement for Toure. There's really none available on the market that are as good as Yaya, maybe Mascherano? Whatever happens it seems a step down imo. Touré barely played last season. For whatever reason Guardiola prefers Busquets (who is better than most people think, though), so we won't sign a Mascherano type that can't sit on the bench.

Maxwell is a bit shaky defensively. I'd have loved to get a new starting leftback (Abidal is great for us but his fitness is a concern), but that will have to wait, and with Adriano we get both an RB and LB backups.

I hope we do sign somebody to replace Touré indeed, there are no names mentioned but the Adriano signing came out of the blue without the press ever picking on it so I'm confident it's being addressed. We are likely to promote Bartra, so we'd be with Puyol/Piqué/Milito/Bartra as CBs if Márquez ends up leaving. Dos Santos, Alcántara, Fontàs and Muniesa are also candidates and will be assessed by Guardiola during preseason.

Yeah, he's not great, but he is solid and won't be a starter in any position (Abidal on the left and Alves on the right). But Puyol just doesn't have the legs anymore to deputize at the RB and he'll also provide cover on the left (we have been both without Abidal and Maxwell a few times last season due to Abidal's fitness).

Xavi had 14 assists in the league alone this season, 20 the one before that... mr 5 yard pass my arse. I have seen him giving through balls week in week out that destroyed entire defences with a single touch.

We have signed Adriano from Sevilla for €10m. Great signing actually, we needed this kind of utility man to plug some holes (RB backup, LB backup, RW backup). Pity we didn't go after Filipe Luis like rumoured these past few days, but would have cost a few more million.

To be honest, I think Silva could have used one more year in Spain, at the tail end of the very season he looked like he was developing some directness into his game that was very nice, but the move to England may come slightly soon. We'll see. No doubt about the players they are buying this season, certainly a step above the lot they got last year (bar Tévez). They will compete for the title soon, just not this season I think.

Tall call for the title just yet, I think. Squad has to gel and they keep buying themselves a new team every season.

Barça's accounts are being audited (regular procedure after a change in the presidency), and the results will be reported in a couple weeks or so, so we'll see exactly what our financial health is. Our finacial vice-president says that we still have €50m for signings (taking into account sales and purchases so far), which probably rules Cesc out. But net spending figures like the ones in the past years are simply unsustainable.

Yes, go to Arsenal!

Spain's squad looks pretty good. Great to see Thiago Alcántara has seemingly chosen Spain

Stuttgart denied that earlier today. Marca are reporting it as a done deal, to be announced officially tomorrow. We'll see. Khedira is going to be a star, I believe.

Aduriz signed for Valencia for €4m. Aduriz/Soldado can't replace Silva/Villa, but it's still pretty good value and decent enough if Soldado keeps progressing. Khedira to Real Madrid for €10m. Shit, that's a good signing.

Raul and Guti gone now, two of Madrid's players that have been there as long as i can remember. Going to be weird this. Have I missed something? Has Raul left? If so, when? And who has he joined? Linked with Schalke, plus Mou has more or less told him not to bother showing up for training.

Not saying he is better since they are completely different players as I said from the start. But certainly I consider them in the same bracket of greatness. Also think Zidane is overrated due to his performances in finals, incidentally. He wasn't that influential over a season. Zidane was awesome, but most Madrid people consider him in the same bracket as Maradona, Cruyff et al which is absolutely daft.

Banks have approved the €150m loan to Barça, details will be made available tomorrow.

Not his fault that he doesn't need to? Plus for all the talk about Zidane growing in big games, Xavi was simply immense in the EC 2008 and CL 2009 finals. But I guess if you don't score it doesn't count.

Then yes, Zidane was flashier and a more stylish footballer than Xavi. Again, different players. Although I have seen Xavi do 360º turns too

david may has many more medals than alan shearer. Xavi has been a cornerstone of the teams he's won those medals with.

One in three last season, nice for a winger.