Here come Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds United team. I am so excited about watching his team play in the EPL from next season.

macjireh:

D's should even be our discussion now rather than senseless arguments about who have carried their league already... well 4me I think lampard will rest players on Sunday and go all out against Liverpool and get at least a point... wolves game will be do or die,,,even sef Roman can buy DAT Match so DAT we can win easily... I believe we can get at least 4 more points

Liverpool will want to have a decent result against us to lift the cup though. A win against Liverpool is crucial.

chic2pimp:




You two should make up abeg. I don't even know the events that started this una beef sef as I seem to remember you two getting along in the early days. Whatever it is, you Guys need to let this inhouse fighting die it's natural death.

Argue and squabble alright but abeg let's leave the Name callings and swear words for the trash can.

Chief, while i appreciate your concern on this case, there is no point in trying to patch things up with someone who clearly has something against you. I'm not going to force myself to get along with someone when the feeling isn't mutual and me supporting Bayern has nothing to do with what anybody does and says. So make everyman just dey him lane.

OtemAtum:
What do you expect from a thief and his god Jehovah? They don't know more than cursing. Their holybook is filled with curses from Isaiah to Malachi.
Jehovah must be hungry to be asking people for money upandan

pls Lord OtemAtum open you mouth and say the words “It will end in tears for shekpite” and you’ll get yourself a new disciple.

96forever:
pls Lord OtemAtum open you mouth and say the words “It will end in tears for shekpite” and you’ll get yourself a new disciple.

. Take that to a religious centre. They will always mindlessly repeat whatever you ask them to say.

PlainJay, i sight you o! E don tey wey I see your moniker for here. How far?

pkasso:
PlainJay, i sight you o! E don tey wey I see your moniker for here. How far?

I'm good, bro.

I've been following the thread silently, glad to see different personalities emerge including our own resident 'god'

Long time, how are you doing ?

PlainJAY:


I'm good, bro.

I've been following the thread silently, glad to see different personalities emerge including our own resident 'god'

Long time, how are you doing ?

I dey o. Otem is one interesting character

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCvKIN7ps-i/?igshid=1icqrcd4vqf3t

Fvckery everywhere

macjireh:

not a consolation post,, u guys can go on and win d FA cup,,UCL qualification is most important to us now

So, UCL is not important to us.

GPOD MORNING TO ALL ARSENAL FANS OUT THERE... sorry in anticipation

airmark:


That is the point.

Benzema didn't score in those matches. Like many sensible Madrid fans noticed, he was sh1t in those 11 matches, but others scored for him.

Nobody should try to talk as if he was the one that dragged Madrid to the title. Courtois was more consistent and influential in the season than him. That is the point.



Is Chelsea not scoring goals, why didn't we win the epl? 21 league goals in a season, is not stunning playing for a team with great midfielders behind you. In fact he was supposed to hit 30+ goals like Lewandowski, but for his wastefulness in front of goal and poor positioning.

I watched many Madrid's matches, so i know what i am talking about.



This must be in Burundi or Rwanda, not in elite European division.

Benzema didn't score in those matches, yes. But Madrid scored that is why they won those matches. Stop making it look like it was all defence that delivered the league.

You only need to look at Madrid's top scorers to know the importance of Benzema this season. With 21 goals, the next best scorer is a defender with 10 goals (a large chunk being PK).... Doesn't that tell you that Madrid's attack is shit if not for Benzema?



Chelsea didn't outscore their opponents, simple.



2009/10 Chelsea must have played Burundi or Rwanda league when we were scoring 6 to 8 goals for fun...

raumdeuter:


You are sensible. If you dont score you dont win simple

It's as simple as that.

I don't know why people will downplay the importance of someone who scored 21 goals when the next best scorer in the team is on 10 goals (that's a 11 goal difference).

BlueMann:



But it took two defensive additions for Liverpool to become the dominant force they are


And let's be realistic. There's really no way you can score four five six goals every time, not in this era.

Just sayin

The two defensive additions only tightened the defence. It only made them concede less. If not for the wicked front three, and the marauding full backs, do you think Liverpool will win the league?

And let's be realistic, will there be a way the defence will keep a clean sheet all season?

odizeey:

So, UCL is not important to us.

DAT is ur consign na ...since 4/4 is sweet to u guys at d detriment of top4,,den go ahead

airmark:


Timbros watches Estonian league a lot, don't mind him.

Man City 2017/18 that ended the league with 106 goals must have played Estonian league to be scoring 3 to 5 goals per game almost consistently.

Ibime:
No doubt Benzema has produced but the argument is not as simple as pointing at his goals.

If Benzema doesn't play, will Real Madrid play with ten men? Another striker will surely take his place and any decent striker that plays no9 for Madrid will score at least 18 league goals, at which point the clean sheets is the real Championship winner since you can replace Benzema with any Madrid-level striker and still win the League.

This your post goes both ways.

If Courtois doesn't play, will Real Madrid play with 10 men? Another goal keeper will surely take his place and any decent goal keeper that keeps for Madrid will keep at least 3/4 clean sheets, at which point the goals is the real Championship winner since you can replace Courtois with any Madrid-level goalkeeper and still win the League.

This is why I told you in an earlier post that "if" arguments is pointless.

Going with the reality on ground, Benzema played a prominent role in Madrid's title win.

timbros:


This your post goes both ways.

If Courtois doesn't play, will Real Madrid play with 10 men? Another goal keeper will surely take his place and any decent goal keeper that keeps for Madrid will keep at least 3/4 clean sheets, at which point the goals is the real Championship winner since you can replace Courtois with any Madrid-level goalkeeper and still win the League.

This is why I told you in an earlier post that "if" arguments is pointless.

Going with the reality on ground, Benzema played a prominent role in Madrid's title win.

But it could be argued that the drop from Courtois to another keeper is steeper than the drop from Benzema to another striker, and could tip the title away from Madrid.

21 goals is an average season to expect from a starting Madrid striker. He hasn't done anything you wouldn't expect, infact he's got exactly the same goals at last season, however the defence has improved by exactly 100% - going from 46 goals conceded to 23.

The defence and keeper therefore have had a season way above and beyond above the normal Madrid season in terms of goals conceded and clean sheets. Their improvement is what has tipped the league in Madrid favour. Benzema has equalled and bettered this seasons goals twice without winning the league. The difference is that the defence ensured his 21 goals is enough to win the league this time.

So he has played a prominent role, but statistics and antecedents will place the improvements in defence as the no1 ranking catalyst for the title win.

Bro this your analysis no be am ooo
Conte did not revert to three at the back because of any weak defense, that has been how Conte plays before Chelsea, he did that with Juventus and even with Italy
Luiz might be inconsistent oooo, I am not talking about the Luiz of now but the Luiz of then might be inconsistent but on a good day, Luiz is a good defender and a leader. He shout at his fellow defenders or players, something Chelsea currently lack in that defense. We don’t have any leader at the back. Azpilicueta; Chelsea’s captain can’t even voice out

There was never a time Leno was rated or better than Ter Stergen, never Bro

And yes Courtois performance have never been bad so because Messi score am for kolo, na why you wan talk say Courtois bad. Who Messi no fit disgrace?

Guardiola kick out Joe hart because of one reason, he was not ball playing. You want to keep for Guardiola, you must be ball playing as well

BlueAngel444:
a compliment is only worth it to the correct consitituent. Which in this case is a good defense.

I agree about de gea. Look at de gea post Maguire (as much as make fun of him) and also AWB, and look at de gea now. In fact it has added confidence and helped Matic look like a magician in midfield. That's what a good defense does, it improves the team. No wonder it is said a good defense wins one the title. Like in the case of Leisceter, Man City and also Liverpool. Once VVD entered they went to UCL finals and then rest is history.

Managers know this, look at Conte he wanted a CB immediatly he joined Chelsea, he was given Luiz he had to revert to a 3 at the back not because of the GK or our attack but because of our weak defenders, something Mou had issues with that 2015/16. Conte still wanted a CB, if not bonucci, how abouy VVD, Rudiger was given it's like buying Ramos and Boateng but getting the weaker version of both on a bad day. So Chelsea still needed a tough tackling CB, which Chris tried to be anyway.

City spending millions on CB, understand this.

Look at Arsenal, cech went there struggled, leno who at one time was if not better than stegen was equally rated, is struggling. Juventus current GK, that played for arsenal is doing well, he even did well in Roma. Why? Good defense.

When you said Courtios performance has never been as bad. Bro Courtios has given me nightmares of ball creeping into the net. What you would say is Kepa has never been to Courtios heights before.

Look at Nick Pope, remove james lets see if he wont turn to pickford. Shey Joe hart was shinning because of Kompany wat happened after pep kicked him out for what reason self.

Ibime:



But it could be argued that the drop from Courtois to another keeper is steeper than the drop from Benzema to another striker, and could tip the title away from Madrid.

21 goals is an average season to expect from a starting Madrid striker. He hasn't done anything you wouldn't expect, infact he's got exactly the same goals at last season, however the defence has improved by exactly 100% - going from 46 goals conceded to 23.

The defence and keeper therefore have had a season way above and beyond above the normal Madrid season in terms of goals conceded and clean sheets. Their improvement is what has tipped the league in Madrid favour. Benzema has equalled and bettered this seasons goals twice without winning the league. The difference is that the defence ensured his 21 goals is enough to win the league this time.

So he has played a prominent role, but statistics and antecedents will place the improvements in defence as the no1 ranking catalyst for the title win.

We can argue that Benzema basically carried Madrid with historically poor support attack cast to the title An attack That contributes almost nothing in assists and goals

Benzema is leading goals and he is at the same time leading assists. Its usually players like Messi that leads both stats in the same team or how many teams do you see the same player topping goals and at the same time topping assists

The other attackers combined Isco Hazard Vinicius,Asensio, James Bale Vazquez combined have less goals than Benzema

His goals won the most points by any player in the league

raumdeuter:


We can argue that Benzema basically carried Madrid with historically poor support attack cast to the title An attack That contributes almost nothing in assists and goals

Benzema is leading goals and he is at the same time leading assists. Its usually players like Messi that leads both stats in the same team or how many teams do you see the same player topping goals and at the same time topping assists

The other attackers combined Isco Hazard Vinicius,Asensio, James Bale Vazquez combined have less goals than Benzema

His goals won the most points by any player in the league

8 assists is nothing for a striker and is not extraordinary. Madrid assists are shared around so no one ever posts high assists numbers in that team.

You can't downplay his prominence but you can't rank him no 1.

His goals scored and team goals scored is just another season for Madrid. Benzema goals have improved 0% from last season while total team goals have declined just 7% (the defence clean was good enough to still swallow the 7% decline in output and not only improve position, but win the league outright)

The goals conceded though is an extraordinary improvement from a normal Madrid season - an exactly 100% improvement on last year.

raumdeuter:

His goals won the most points by any player in the league

If defence has kept clean sheet for you, scoring a goal a game will be worth 3 points. If defence is conceding anyhow, your goals start to become worth 1 point or 0 points.

Ibime:



But it could be argued that the drop from Courtois to another keeper is steeper than the drop from Benzema to another striker, and could tip the title away from Madrid.

21 goals is an average season to expect from a starting Madrid striker. He hasn't done anything you wouldn't expect, infact he's got exactly the same goals at last season, however the defence has improved by exactly 100% - going from 46 goals conceded to 23.

The defence and keeper therefore have had a season way above and beyond above the normal Madrid season in terms of goals conceded and clean sheets. Their improvement is what has tipped the league in Madrid favour. Benzema has equalled and bettered this seasons goals twice without winning the league. The difference is that the defence ensured his 21 goals is enough to win the league this time.

So he has played a prominent role, but statistics and antecedents will place the improvements in defence as the no1 ranking catalyst for the title win.

@bolded: It depends. Courtois>Areola vs Benzema>Jovic. Judge for yourself which drop is steeper.

Benzema's numbers is not the best in Europe neither should it be a standard for any no. 9 in a top team. But fact still remains he is the highest goal scorer by some miles without even taking penalties! The next best scorer is Ramos with just 10 goals (6 penalties). Look at other attacking players, their numbers is what you guys call "poverty numbers" in this streets...

Real Madrid won the league with 68 goals and only Benzema scored 21.

Atletico concede 26 goals but is in 3rd position. Barcelona concede more (38) but are in 2nd. Why? Because they scored more and as a result won more matches.

Bottom line is, if Benzema didn't score that amount of goals, Madrid won't win the league by conceding less.

His numbers is not the best for an elite striker, but its the best for a title winning Madrid team.

Ibime:
8 assists is nothing for a striker and is not extraordinary. Madrid assists are shared around so no one ever posts high assists numbers in that team.

You can't downplay his prominence but you can't rank him no 1.

His goals scored and team goals scored is just another season for Madrid. Benzema goals have improved 0% from last season while total team goals have declined just 7% (the defence clean was good enough to still swallow the 7% decline in output and not only improve position, but win the league outright)

The goals conceded though is an extraordinary improvement from a normal Madrid season - an exactly 100% improvement on last year.

If defence has kept clean sheet for you, every goal you score will be worth 3 points. If defence is conceding anyhow, your goals start to become worth 1 point or 0 points.

The drop from Cortouis to a Madrid standard goalkeeper is also not as steep as you are making it to sound. Keylor Navas won them the last league and 3 CL titles. Benzemas 8 assists is about tp 5 in the entire league

When you are the main goal outlet recording 20+ goals then 8 assists is generous output. Lewandoski for example has 4 assists, Aguero has 4 assists Lukaku has 2, Aubameyang has 2 assists
Infact of all the golden shoe chasers in Europe this season players with 20 goals or more only Messi has more than 8 goals

While a player like Lewandoski will look at his attack and see Muller behind him breaking assists record, he has Gnabry behind him with 11 assists, the best Benzema can get is Hidden Hazard with 3 assists the entire season
How are Madrid assists shared around? when no other Madrid player has g+a > 10 none of the other Madrid attackers have more than 3 assists

Basically Benzema ran the Madrid offence both in goals and in assists. I can even say very few strikers in the world will thrive in the poverty numbers that other Madrid attacking support cast are delivering

Atletico dont concede but lack of goals, Simeones side have conceded just 3 goals more than Madrid but are 20points behind Real Madrid because they scored 18 goals less than Madrid. That mean they will never win, All their clean sheets is wasted because no one will do the business on the other end I am sure Atletico with their solid defence will die to have a striker to deliver >= 29 g+a like Diego Costa did for them in 2014

timbros:


@bolded: It depends. Courtois>Areola vs Benzema>Jovic. Judge for yourself which drop is steeper.

Striker position is a confidence and match-rhythm position. There is hardly any club with a starting no9 where people are not frustrated with the substitute no9. This is why I like to have my substitute no9 that can play wings to keep up his rhythm, sharpness and confidence. So that when Drogba is injured for example, Anelka can step in to no9 position and still win golden boot like in 08/09 season.

I can't guarantee that a starting and confident Jovic won't score 21 goals same as Benzema.

Conversely, I can almost guarantee that swapping Ramos for Militao won't keep the same number of clean sheets. Areola would push Courtois close but will also fall slightly behind for goals conceded and clean sheets.

raumdeuter:


The drop from Cortouis to a Madrid standard goalkeeper is also not as steep as you are making it to sound. Keylor Navas won them the last league and 3 CL titles. Benzemas 8 assists is about tp 5 in the entire league

When you are the main goal outlet recording 20+ goals then 8 assists is generous output. Lewandoski for example has 4 assists, Aguero has 4 assists Lukaku has 2, Aubameyang has 2 assists
Infact of all the golden shoe chasers in Europe this season players with 20 goals or more only Messi has more than 8 goals

While a player like Lewandoski will look at his attack and see Muller behind him breaking assists record, he has Gnabry behind him with 11 assists, the best Benzema can get is Hidden Hazard with 3 assists the entire season
How are Madrid assists shared around? when no other Madrid player has g+a > 10 none of the other Madrid attackers have more than 3 assists

Basically Benzema ran the Madrid offence both in goals and in assists. I can even say very few strikers in the world will thrive in the poverty numbers that other Madrid attacking support cast are delivering

Atletico dont concede but lack of goals, Simeones side have conceded just 3 goals more than Madrid but are 20points behind Real Madrid because they scored 18 goals less than Madrid. That mean they will never win, All their clean sheets is wasted because no one will do the business on the other end I am sure Atletico with their solid defence will die to have a striker to deliver >= 29 g+a like Diego Costa did for them in 2014

You've made all the points clear.

[quote author=raumdeuter post=91831235]

The drop from Cortouis to a Madrid standard goalkeeper is also not as steep as you are making it to sound. Keylor Navas won them the last league and 3 CL titles. Benzemas 8 assists is about tp 5 in the entire league

When you are the main goal outlet recording 20+ goals then 8 assists is generous output. Lewandoski for example has 4 assists, Aguero has 4 assists Lukaku has 2, Aubameyang has 2 assists
Infact of all the golden shoe chasers in Europe this season players with 20 goals or more only Messi has more than 8 goals

While a player like Lewandoski will look at his attack and see Muller behind him breaking assists record, he has Gnabry behind him with 11 assists, the best Benzema can get is Hidden Hazard with 3 assists the entire season

Navas was never a Madrid standard, we won matches then by outscoring opponents. we were just fortunate to have the BBC in attack

You can't compare the prime BBC era with this attack

Ibime:


Striker position is a confidence and match-rhythm position. There is hardly any club with a starting no9 where people are not frustrated with the substitute no9. This is why I like to have my substitute no9 that can play wings to keep up his rhythm, sharpness and confidence. So that when Drogba is injured for example, Anelka can step in to no9 position and still win golden boot like in 08/09 season.

I can't guarantee that a starting and confident Jovic won't score 21 goals same as Benzema.

Conversely, I can almost guarantee that swapping Ramos for Militao won't keep the same number of clean sheets. Areola would push Courtois close but will also fall slightly behind for goals conceded and clean sheets.

So basically Areola can give similar of what Courtois gave while Jovic can't give what Benzema gave.

raumdeuter:
While some are celebrating Relapsti in 15th position with almost half his goals from penalties

We are celebrating the Big Benz 20 league goals most from open play and lifting the La Liga without C Ronaldo and with minimal contribution from Hidden Hazard
While some are attracted to success some hate success
This life no balance sha

Isn't LA Liga a local trophy again? He should do it without Ronaldo in the UCL...

timbros:


So basically Areola can give similar of what Courtois gave while Jovic can't give what Benzema gave.

Why can't Jovic give a 21 goal season as starting striker with confidence on his side? He's come close before in lesser team.

I rate Areola, that's why I'm not just going to rubbish him completely. Goalkeeper position is also a match-rhythm and Confidence position

Can Militao or Nacho what Ramos gave?

patrickmuf:
Isn't LA Liga a local trophy again? He should do it without Ronaldo in the UCL...

That is the trophy that has been denied Madrid for so long. Only twice in the last 10yrs. While they have won 4CL in the same time

As we speak of all active players Benzema has the 3rd highest CL goals

Ibime:


Why can't Jovic give a 21 goal season as starting striker with confidence in his side? He's come close before in lesser team.

I rate Areola, that's why I'm not just going to rubbish him completely. Goalkeeper position is also a match-rhythm and Confidence position

Can Militao or Nacho what Ramos gave?

How will Jovic give it when his support attackers are dropping 3 assists a season. You think every striker will be like Benz that can score and also assist. Most of the strikers look for players that will be serving them plenty assists not 2,3 assists attackers

When people are comparing the exploits of 5 people i.e the Madrid defence to the exploits of 1 person i.e Benzema then you already know the answer to the question.

You can’t say you are making a fair comparison when you have to do Courtois+Ramos+Varane+LB+RB in order to rubbish Benzema.

Benzema was the single most important individual player responsible for the league title.
The Madrid defence is not a player.