terzurum5:

Are we moving forward or backward?

Just admit he has made a valid point.

It is always a thing of pride to have majority of your players playing week in week out in top leagues.

Icon4s:


This comparison is same for most big countries. They have had better teams. Look also at Holland, Italy, Argentina, Sweden, Spain, Czech Rep, Bulgaria. With the exception of Germany, though I still feel their 80s to 90 squad was stronger than the current.
Even come to Africa only CIV and Algeria can boast of a better team than most of their predecessors.

[/b]Does it mean that footballing is on a downward trend?[b]

Icon4s:


This comparison is same for most big countries. They have had better teams. Look also at Holland, Italy, Argentina, Sweden, Spain, Czech Rep, Bulgaria. With the exception of Germany, though I still feel their 80s to 90 squad was stronger than the current.
Even come to Africa only CIV and Algeria can boast of a better team than most of their predecessors.

Does it mean that footballing is on a downward trend?

Mujtahida:

Not to come across as a cynic but I am of the view that modern football is on a downward spiral and nothing is more indicative of this than the fact that for close to eight years now just two footballers have taken turns with the world footballer of the year award. From Marco Van Basten to Ronaldinho and all the greats in between like Rivaldo, Zidane, Ronaldo and as sublime as there were none of them dominated world football as much as Ronaldo and Messi have done in contemporary times. Modern day football lacks flair. It's just passes, running, passes, running (I get tired of it) and there's too much emphasis on raw athleticism and winning. The great 10- the maestro who directs the orchestra- has gradually been phased out. Read what Fabregas had to say about the trend in modern football. http://m.goal.com/s/en-au/news/4030/english-premier-league/2017/02/09/32474462/fabregas-football-has-become-less-about-talent-and-more

komekn:


Wrong Comparison particularly where England is concerned. English football has progressed immensely from the predominant kick and rush, muscles and guts football that characterised English football.

The Neville brothers would not smell the current English team. Gary would be in the Championship and Phil would be playing none league for Stockport County.

Shearer would be in the Championship and only Campbell, Mcmanaman, Owen, Beckham would be on the premiership and playing for England.

When Ajax was the power house of European football we had almost half a dozen players in that team. We had Nigerian being the top goal scorer in thier leagues. We had players who were classed as World class in several positions. I did not say best in the World but world class.

This is not progress we are picking players from third rate leagues and teams and a good number of our players are bench warmers and fringe players.

Look at the age Oliseh, Kanu, were at Ajax as teenagers they were first team regulars. How old was Yobo when he was running the show at Everton barely 20 years old. Yakubu was one of the most consistent strikers in Europe.

The issue of attitude has come up, are these crop of players more professional or dedicated. I do not think so. You can't use endeavour and supposed attitude to substitute for class , quality and ability.

tbaba1234:


Too much flair can get you in trouble with coaches. Stick to the game plan and win. The emphasis on winning is changing the dynamics.

komekn:


Wrong Comparison particularly where England is concerned. English football has progressed immensely from the predominant kick and rush, muscles and guts football that characterised English football.

The Neville brothers would not smell the current English team. Gary would be in the Championship and Phil would be playing none league for Stockport County.

Shearer would be in the Championship and only Campbell, Mcmanaman, Owen, Beckham would be on the premiership and playing for England.

When Ajax was the power house of European football we had almost half a dozen players in that team. We had Nigerian being the top goal scorer in thier leagues. We had players who were classed as World class in several positions. I did not say best in the World but world class.

This is not progress we are picking players from third rate leagues and teams and a good number of our players are bench warmers and fringe players.

Look at the age Oliseh, Kanu, were at Ajax as teenagers they were first team regulars. How old was Yobo when he was running the show at Everton barely 20 years old. Yakubu was one of the most consistent strikers in Europe.

The issue of attitude has come up, are these crop of players more professional or dedicated. I do not think so. You can't use endeavour and supposed attitude to substitute for class , quality and ability.

Mickael2:


I have told you time and time again that no professional footballer plays only one single position hence the need to look at the formation and watch the first 30 mins of the game atleast. Messi is a RWF naturally but most times he shifts to the AMF position, I can just show you some highlights and you'd be like 'Messi is always out of position', but then if you watch the game you'd know that it's a tactical plan, it doesn't mean that Messi is no longer the RWF it just means that he is a hybrid. So because you know Ndidi's preferred position doesn't mean that he can't be directed by the coach to play as a hybrid.

Granted, I think I have watched like 20 of his games(minus the ones he has played for leicester) and he was hardly ever out of position, maybe like once in 3 games. I have watched even less of Onazi's games(including the ones he has played for the Eagles) and he always gets caught out of position atleast once per game. I have said it time and time again that Onazi and Ndidi can play together, Ndidi as the sitting DMF and Onazi the roaming DMF/midfield destroyer, I have no problem with that but Etebo is already occupying that position for us and if it comes to the DMF position solely, Ndidi takes it home for me

enomakos:
i will lov
e that

komekn:
The way football is progressing most not all are beginning to be identified in thier teens as potential World class performers.

By the team Neymar was 17 it was clear he was an exceptional talent. Pogba the same thing also Gabriel, Messi. Ronaldo.

A lot of our young teenage players kill it at youth level and after that nothing happens. Now look at the French young talents under 18 playing as regulars in respective teams.

There are two French Dembele's Killing it at the moment Dembele at Borussia D. and Dembele at Celtic all valued above £50 million. There is younger one at Celtic he is 14 at thirteen he was playing for the reserve team the development squad U21. Right now he us indisputably phenomenal.

What am I getting at if these teenagers were exceptional by now they should be making waves across Europe. They may eventually do so but there is no guarantee.

Belgium have never had it so good they have a one of the best teams in Europe well at least on paper.

goldfish80:
One thing people have to understand is that football academy culture have contributed to lack of flair we see in morden footballers.
Kids at the academy are thought to be polite, decent, less aggressive and pious, they see football as just a routine, while for Street kids it's all about escaping poverty and survival ask Tevez. Determination and the drive to beat his opponent is is what a street kid is cut out for.

Even the Brazilians ate complaining about football academies being hijacked by captialists and Drug dealers.
The end result is what we are currently witnessing.

Also the new social culture of Internet and other electronic gadgets have in no small measure contributed to the below average players churned out every year. Kids these days, prefer to stay at home and Facebook or play video games than going out to interact with their mates. I was totally different in the 80s and 90s.

Mujtahida:

Not to come across as a cynic but I am of the view that modern football is on a downward spiral and nothing is more indicative of this than the fact that for close to eight years now just two footballers have taken turns with the world footballer of the year award. From Marco Van Basten to Ronaldinho and all the greats in between like Rivaldo, Zidane, Ronaldo and as sublime as there were none of them dominated world football as much as Ronaldo and Messi have done in contemporary times. Modern day football lacks flair. It's just passes, running, passes, running (I get tired of it) and there's too much emphasis on raw athleticism and winning. The great 10- the maestro who directs the orchestra- has gradually been phased out. Read what Fabregas had to say about the trend in modern football. http://m.goal.com/s/en-au/news/4030/english-premier-league/2017/02/09/32474462/fabregas-football-has-become-less-about-talent-and-more

terzurum5:
Chelsea And Bristol City Make Contact Over Tammy Abraham



Bristol City coach Lee Johnson has provided an update on the fitness of England U21 international Tammy Abraham ahead of Saturday’sclash with Burton Albion.


Due to a thigh injury, the striker last played for the Robins in their 2-1 loss to Leeds United on February 14.


He then returned to parent club Chelsea to receive treatment and had a second scan on the injured thigh on Wednesday.


“With regards to Tammy, it’s the best case scenario in terms of the scan. The healing process has gone well, ” Johnson told Bristol City Player HD,


“We just need to have good communication with Chelsea now to see what sort of levels Tammy is up to and when we can bring him back.


“The two physios will make contact and plan what is right for him.”


Tammy Abraham has scored 21 goals for Bristol City in all competitions this season.

Igho Kingsley

www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22245

joseph1013:


Forget story...if Messi and Ronaldo were around during the Zidane, Rivaldo and Ronaldo days, they will the smell the World's best player award. These two guys, especially Messi, are extra-terrestrial. Zidane, Ronaldo and Rivaldo are on the same level as Zlatan, Pirlo, Iniesta, Xavi, and Buffon. The only era where Messi and Ronaldo would really have competition is the Maradona era, and even with that, Messi will take the lead.