Village Idiot

Old Wembley is a sacred place for Barcelona fans, hosting our first EC win after many many tries. I was too young to have gone to the final but was one of the first things I went to when I first went to London in 1996 (four years after the fact). Walked the steps, observed the goals, imagined where Koeman stood when he took that FK... When it was demolished, FC Barcelona bought both goals, which are part of our museum (although they weren't in display last time I was there).

Hehe, didn't realize you were richer than us in the early 2000s! (Not surprising given how extremely poorly run we were under the previous board)

To be honest Spurs have always looked to me an exceptionally well-run club off the field.

Some assorted news: - Higuaín's contract extension stalled after he has demanded Galáctico wages (which he deserves tbf) - Negredo has said that he "doesn't want to favour Barça" when Sevilla plays against his boyhood club Real Madrid. - Barça's squad reportedly restless because there still isn't an agreement for player bonuses (club reportedly wants to lower them after the treble season saw payments of €50m) - Zidane said today that "rather die than apologize to Materazzi"

Lack of glamour isn't what is stopping players from going to Germany. It is the lower wages that are doing that. It is nice to play in front of 70, 00 every week, but that's not worth giving up half your wage for. As long as German clubs stay financially prudent, there is no way they can compete in the modern market. Isn't their prudency sort of enforced by the German FA? That doesn't allow them to get in much debt or they will be relegated from the Bundesliga. Not a bad approach if done Europe-wide, mind. I wouldn't know, man, but that sounds fantastic. This article explains their system a little. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1074354/Solvent-Bundesliga-clubs-example-debt-ridden-Premier-League-counterparts.html

Lack of glamour isn't what is stopping players from going to Germany. It is the lower wages that are doing that. It is nice to play in front of 70, 00 every week, but that's not worth giving up half your wage for. As long as German clubs stay financially prudent, there is no way they can compete in the modern market. Isn't their prudency sort of enforced by the German FA? That doesn't allow them to get in much debt or they will be relegated from the Bundesliga. Not a bad approach if done Europe-wide, mind.

Do they? Stamford's Bridge capacity is 41,841 just a few hundred below the average in that list (which honestly is a bit hard to believe)

You got a link for that mate? I'd be interested to see where Newcastle figure. Not to steal KSH's thunder, but I was just looking at them myself after that post : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs a solid 18th. Chelsea need a new stadium, one of the top teams of Europe can't have such low attendances (although I'm aware they fill up Stamford Bridge nicely)

Still can't wrap my head around the fact you're the 20th richest club in the world and yet got relegated. But I guess you have beaten that horse to death and took it to the slaughterhouse for steaks already. I wonder how many currently Premiership teams will you still beat when this season's numbers are published.

When I have seen you lot play he seems to be terrified of the midfield line, dunno where that goal is going to come from if he doesn't cross it.

Don't think Hiddink will have time to do much with the CIV team before the WC surely?

We would be closer to Real if we had a paid shirt sponsor. I hope we aren't forced out of the UNICEF deal in order to compete though, I prefer it that way.

Bale in midfield, time to make some transfers in my FF team

Who are you going to play on the right with Bentley and Lennon out?

There isn't that much money in the MLS as you may think. Outside LA and NYC there aren't teams that would be able/willing to meet his usual wages. What kind of contract does he have at ManU? Is it pay-as-you-play or a regular one? He might be better off seeing that one out, he may even win some silverware too (I think he already has the 10 games this season for a medal too).

How strange though, as I would say the same of La Liga this season outside of the current top 4. You can include two of the top four in England, though. Arsenal are woefully unconvincing. Liverpool, well, the most important point from them is the fact that they're in the top four at all. Sevilla and Valencia have blown hot and cold too. But what I mean is that it really seems we are destroying the depth of our leagues.

How strange though, as I would say the same of La Liga this season outside of the current top 4.

That's pretty unlikely. That you'd lose the 4th spot. We haven't had two teams past the quarter finals in quite a few years and are comfortably second (we have won the thing a couple times but so have you). You'd need Germany to improve significantly in order to challenge Italy/Spain/England and it really doesn't look likely to happen in the next few years. Germany can oust Italy this year according to the Guardian podcast. Changes would be season after next though. Ah yes I see, Germany had two dreadful seasons in 2005-06/06-07 that are due to fall off the coefficient. Still, if they gained back 10 points they would still fall back behind Spain and England, and both are on track to get an even higher coefficient that the one about to fall off. And I know that Germany has the most profitable clubs, but not the clubs with highest turnover (only Bayern in the top 10). It may work for them in the long run when La Liga and the EPL burn in the fire of their debts, but not yet. Honestly, you have to think that in order to lose your 4th spot, you need to consistently perform worse than all of the Italian, German and Spanish leagues over the next few years. It just won't happen, certainly not because Villa or Spurs qualify for the CL (and if they fail they still get a chance to contribute more points to the league through the Europa League, like Liverpool are doing)

That's pretty unlikely. That you'd lose the 4th spot. We haven't had two teams past the quarter finals in quite a few years and are comfortably second (we have won the thing a couple times but so have you). You'd need Germany to improve significantly in order to challenge Italy/Spain/England and it really doesn't look likely to happen in the next few years.

Villa then scores in injury time and we win the ET, sorted. Epic final.

Slip, score and break leg would be ideal. To be honest, England >>> Owen. For ENGLAND's sake I want Owen to score. Miss and someone like Lampard or whoever bags the rebound.

Wouldn't be surprised is this is the last time Jenas' puts on England shirt unless it is at the pub

Groin injury

I don't think Owen fondly remembers his years at NUFC either. Really, you'll sooner see Given signing back than Owen. It will never happen.

Aye, players with impressive athletic assets usually perform better at lower divisions. He's still young though, I wouldn't rule him out just yet.