₦airaland Forum

Olowoeko11:
I wish Igbo leaders could read this with open mind. Soludo made so many salient points and he his very passionate about the Igbo course

Lol. You guys sha. It's 2022 and grown up Nigerians are yet to understand that politics is a game of selfish interest. You think Soludo care about the Igbo course?

Ask yourself, if Peter Obi was a flag bearer for APGA, will he criticise Obi?

Go and read the good comments Soludo made about OBi before this time. When reading his exemplary comments on what Obi achieved in Anambra, Google with open mind and ofcourse read with open mind.

Las las, all of go learn say politics is a game

Smfh!!!

andrewbaba44:
We are all Argentina spain france Netherlands in this World Cup aren’t we ?

Brazil should be in also because we love neymar and raphinha

For me, it's Argentina, Senegal, Spain and USA

We got our 3points...unto the next one...

We were subpar no doubt but we shouldn't haul insult on anyone no matter the troll level.

I don tey for here. I've been here right from the days of Stealthy, Medjai et al. I joined in 2007, deactivated later because was getting too addicted/school project

The thing about this section was that there were rarely insults and direct attack unlike coogar et al in United/Chelsea thread. I will never have a personal attack on anyone online, never!

It's just football man. Let's be civil and maintain our mantra

Mes que un club!!!

I want him to stay but today I see why some people wanted Dembele gone in the summer. The 10minutes Raphinha went to the right, we created our best opportunity. Yet Xavi took him off hmm. Slow passing/transition; we gad work to do.

I'll repeat that his(Alonso's) signing was unnecessary because Balde and Alba are currently better

Dembele's dribbling is incredibly chaotic that it looks like a meme lol; man gives the ball away like it's nothing. That's why I love Pep. You dare not waste his balls and still start games for him.

The game is 100% on Xavi....I'm grossly disappointed.

When I saw the lineup with two turtles (Alonso & Roberto) I knew we're gonna draw or lose.

We move; let's see how Xavi and the team will respond to such abysmal showing.

The referee sha lol ....

FirstbornWds:
My predicted line-up for tomorrow.


MATS

Alonso Eric Christensen Roberto

Pedri Sergio Gavi


Dembele Lewy Raphina


Any changes would be shocking

That's the lineup right there but Pique for Garcia. Garcia will win zero headers against Dzeko. You don't want Dzeko knocking too many headers down for Lauturo to run on to. One will eventually result to goal.

Garcia should play against Celta, A.Bilbao and Madrid. This game we need Pique but again let's see what Xavi will do.

Kilishihunter:
Make we dey see, If we beat them home and away our spot in the round of 16 will be secured by virtue of head to head and with the way both camps are I'm honestly expecting anything but a loss but them fit go turn up sha
Btw how you see abde 's performance yesterday his dribbling and movements seem to have become better though his finishing is still suspect though he's a winger sha, he was really excellent on the counter

Abde has some flaws that only he can correct. No amount of coaching will teach him decision making. He dribbles without looking up, he's too individualistic. For now, he simply does not understand collaboration and team work. He really needs to work on this because every time I've watched him, even for Morocco, it's always the same problem; excellent dribbling, poor decision making.

Yes his dribbling is first-class but I don't think he'll make it at Barca despite the fact that I'll 100% want him to succeed here. At best, he'll end up as Giovanni Dos Santos or Jeffren both excellent dribblers with zero end product.

People will tell you at least he's better than Ferran who's having a shocking season so far but I think Ferran still offers more despite being a shadow of his winter self.

Let's see what Xavi will do with Abde next season...

raumdeuter:
Pep don yeye the league so tay he dey start Akanji Ake and no DM in a high profile match

Wetin concern am with CL, he was dared to come and prove himself in England and he don turn am to school farm

This was quite telling. Akanji, a rejected player at Bundesliga...signed for cheap as a backup for Dias and Laporte.

And Ake... Imagine Ake that will not even start for current Chelsea. Pep is a beast!!!

Haaland still adapting to the tough EPL!!!

Haaland still adapting to this wonderful league!!!

Haaland still adapting to the league!!!

Trent is genuinely shocking defensively. VVD is out of form. Shocking defending from both!

R9, Maradona, Cantona just can't relate with Mikel on football matters...

Na main market we dey oo

afrodoc2:
You are wasting your time. The guys caps so much they should call him Captain.

The problem is not the cappin...I laugh whenever I see his takes lol. What I find intriguing is that, the Chelsea fans hailing him and saying "him clothe no dey tear" are the same people who get rattled when he tells them that Mikel is greater than Oliseh and co, Mane greater than Salah etc.

Lmao

Araujo and Kounde...why them.....na wah ooo

Nothing is official yet concerning how long these guys will be out. What we know is that they're all out and will miss some very important games.

Every journalist with zero degree in medicals can post anything.

Like I said, they're all injured and will miss important games but that's why we have depth. They'll all be missed but I'll wait for official statement from the club concerning how long they will be out.

Let's see what Chai Riad will do if given the chance!

Kilishihunter:
Omo it's true oooh, Zubimendi is even taller than neves, See me Well like you said let's just see what the board will do, Just get a good DM and a world class or potentially world class RB then we're good to go back to being a top 4 universal giant, If you don't mind me asking who is your pick regards our future RB?

My preferred player is Reece James . He's not coming so I'll go for Pedro Porro. The guy plays like Cancelo or Dani Alves. Very dynamic/quick

Kilishihunter:
Neves has always been my preferred option but seeing as Zubimendi is still 23, knows the league and costs way less with a good resale value in case of incasities plus the board leaning on him, im slightly drifting to his camp
My issue on height is on aerial balls seeing as goal kicks and long balls from the defence will be launched into his area as our last cover before the defence, Remember we're a shorter side on average with the first XI minus busi, That was one area with busi really helped and bailed us out with due to his frame

I get you Chief sha

But if Neves is your preferred option then Zubi's heights should not be a problem because he's taller than Neves(your preferred option)

Let's see what the board will do

Zubi, Neves and in house(Nico)

I won't mind any of the above mentioned sha

Cheers!!!

Kilishihunter:
Anytime I see Rodri balling for city I always wonder what could have been if bartomeu paid his release clause instead of griezmann, That's still the closest resemblance to busi rn though he's a better ball winner
I'm not really sure about Nico being our CDM he still balls more as an interior to me, But if Xavi still intends to use him there then if we get Zubimendi (For lesser than his release clause though) both of them can be competing for the role to see who'll fit in more
The only reason I'll pick Zubimendi is age and market resale value incase he doesn't turn out fine if not Ruben Neves looks better than him in many aspects

Neves is a beast and considering that we mostly face low block teams especially in Laliga means that his legendary ball striking prowess from distance will come in handy.

Yes he's better than Zubimendi and should be prioritized if need be.

I personally prefer Nico. I think if given the opportunity to play DM, he won't be worse considering how FDJ roams out of position as a DM.

Rumours has it that Xavi, Laporta and all technical directors @FCB prefer Zubi, I think we all have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, considering you were concerned about Zubi's height initially, from your statement, it seems you'll prefer Neves who's shorter than Zubi. Why?

Kilishihunter:
Well from the little I've seen of him at real and for Spain at the Olympics I noticed he's a good keeper of the ball both short and long passes, He also seems to have a nice belter of a shot from range, My only little fear is his height since he's under 6 ft plus I don't know if he is very press resistant which as we know is extremely important knowing as we love to keep the ball, I think he has a release clause of 60m
But to you between him and Ruben Neves who do you think we should put our stakes on? I'm all in for zubimendi cause of the age and homegrown knowledge of the league factors, since he's pretty young he can still learn and grow together alongside our youthful core

If there's a player who plays like Busquet, it's Zubimendi and Rodri(City). He'll fit Barca like glove. But I feel Nico can do the job if given the chance.

On his height, lol. At 1.81m he's very close to 6ft0. Zubi is taller than Kounde who's a CB. He's actually taller than FDJ, Ruben Neves and Kimmich. And I tell you, most Barca fans won't mind having Kimmich. I'm talking about height now, not quality.

Jorginho is a UCL starting DM and Zubi is taller than him too. Having a tall DM/CB is always good but from experience, height is not everything in football.

On Zubi, he's press resistant, long and short pass is good. He reads the game so well and was mentored by one of the best DM in the world at Real Socieda B by Xabi Alonso. Infact there's a rumor that Alemany, Cruff, Laporta, Xavi and all technical directors at Barca want him to replace Busi.

I personally won't mind Neves who's 5ft10 but Zubimendi is a good market opportunity.

My first choice to replace Busi remains Nico Gonzalez(modern Busi, who combines physical power with good passing) but the board knows more than what I feel/think. Nico is currently playing as an interior at Valencia but I like what I saw from him as a DM during preseason. I wish he stayed; I love the young lad!!!

Ballzproblem2:
I can't believe I am saying this but I for like iwobi to replace jorginho

he is not afraid to contest for ball

his passes comes with force and is direct

pace

can defend and enter opposition other half



only problem be say Everton no go gree sell

Bruh...

GoddyOra:
Luckily for most Brazilians, you ain't Tite. Imagine dropping Rodrygo (a far superior talent) for Martinelli, who is having his first decent run of form since he became a professional player.

The only way Martinelli makes the plane to Qatar ahead of Rodrygo or even Firmino is if either of them gets killed before then cos an injured Rodrygo with one leg is far better (and more useful) than an in-form Martinelli

Okay big man

Rodrigo is going to the world cup!

abduleez1:
This!!
Those two mistakes of starting Alonso and Gavi. They both played well but they weren't what we needed in that match. If they came on as subs in the late minutes of the game, fine.

Kessie should have been paired in that middle.
Also Barca was afraid to make tackles in where it mattered most. There was one dangerous ball Barca was bringing into their defence when one of their player fouled us before we got to the box, this disrupting play. Tactical tackles and fouls like that was what we should be employing.
Also, that ball were Sany danced his way past our players into our defence from midfield dey vex me. I for don cut him leg since before he reach that box.
That was one thing Mingueza gave us in his early days. No time for nonsense.

The problem is that most of you won't admit it. The issue here is that Gavi is ahead of Frenkie as far as Xavi is the coach. He presses better on the right and not afraid to tackle and hassle opponents. Gavi is a real workhorse and fits the Xavi's system like glove.

From my observations FDJ is actually competing with Pedri on the left and unfortunately Pedri is clear. Gavi on the other hand is competing with Kessie on the right and he's clear too.

FDJ will either play as a single pivot when Busi is rested like today or when one of Pedri or Gavi is rested.

Xavis first choice midfiled in big games is.....
Pedri Busi Gavi. FDJ is the fourth man.

We were very good against Bayern and should have won if we had our finishing boots on. Alonso did well against Bayern but like I said last time he(Alonso) remains a needless signing because Balde & Alba are clearly better.

GoddyOra:
Richarlison is ahead of Jesus in the ST for over a year now. Jesus and Firmino should make it as the second and third ST options respectively. I retract my earlier statement on Jesus.

For Martinelli, he is very likely to miss the WC. Definitely out IMO unless injury to other options. Magalhes ain't shoe-in for the WC squad since all three of Maquinhos,Silva, and Militao are 100% sure. He will battle out with Felipe of Tico, Bremer of Juve, and Ibanez of Roma for the last 1 or 2 CB spots depending on Tite squad choice.

Martineli is going to the world cup...Lool

Martineli/Vinivius, Richarlidon/G.Jesus, Anthony/Raphinha

Neymar plays as 10 for Brazil recently.

Firminho, Gabriel Barbosa and Rodrigo may all miss out.

Haaland and Lewandowski proving that every league is farmers league if you are good enough.

If you're top class, the league means nothing!

einsteine:
Yet Man City has won 4 EPL in 5 years. So much for curing Pep.

Angelfrost:
Boss... I'm talking about this present season so far.

Where the quality?!!

Spurs?!! That defend even against Shooting Stars!

Leicester?!! That can't even beat half blind squad of aged players!

Arsenal?!! Forming superstar till they met an average English Ajax 2.0!

Chelsea?!! The one currently on Fulham's level!


Shall we continue?!!

It may look like I'm trolling at this point but I won't agree with you that there's no quality in the top 6 and outside of it.

There's enough quality at Chelsea, United, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Spurs.

That city is streamrolling everyone does not reduce the quality in the league.

My verdict here is that there's enough quality in the EPL just that City are playing at a whole new level sadly.

mostob:
Thank you. Let me add that Enrique being Spain's coach is an added advantage for him as the trio of Busquet,Pedri and Gavi won't find it difficult to adapt because they receive almost same tutoring both in the club and the national team. This is one of the reason why Iniesta, Busquet and Xavi were dominant. Hopefully, Nico will be back to take over from Busquet.

Nico is built like a tank. I love that guy. I pray he's given the opportunity to play that DM.

Pedri Nico Gavi is the dream but I don't know, I just don't know whether Nico will make it. Let's see what Xavi does with him next season.

FirstbornWds:
I agree. It'll take a lot of technicality and brilliance from players to match Pep's Barca. They don't produce those kind of players anymore. The level of intelligence, technicality, and gameplay is not something we'll find anywhere or anytime soon.


So, it's better to go for the second best. Albeit that they are still young.

You know the drill

Angelfrost:
It doesn't matter what Klopp prefers at this point... They are already out of this title! Matter of fact, City has taken this one already!

I was merely assessing City's strengths!!!

Na the lack of quality within and outside the top 6, Pep and City dey capitalize on! Facts!

No loud this thing ooo lol

Isn't the EPL the toughest league in the planet with quality players spread all over even to the relegation candidates? How then can you say there's no quality in the league.

You mean Liverpool, United, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal don't have enough quality in the toughest league in the world?

No loud this thing chief!

Angelfrost:
Arthur is going on ice before the world cup (that guy is less than useless)!

If you saw their game against Ajax, you can see they are getting back to their dominant form.

They Sha have enough time before City game to sort themselves out!

In all, Klopp has Pep and Man City's cure! We saw it early this season too!

You can cure Pep but can you win the EPL...

I think even Kloop will prefer to win the EPL than cure Pep...how you see am

I really love what Xavi is doing here

When he was appointed, I thought he'll play like Pep's Barca considering his exploit and his kind of person.

But he's playing like Enrique's Barca; possession, speed, directness and quick transition from defence to attack. Very similar to what Enrique did With Gavi doing the work of Rakitic on the RM. Pedri doing the work of Iniesta on the LM. With a pure 9 Lewa just like Suarez then.

I'm so happy he's playing this way but Peps Barca remains the best ever!

Angelfrost:
Liverpool had an early midfield injury crisis...

They are close to sorting it out now!

Liverpool will more than likely never bow to City!

With Harvey Eliot and Arthur Melo Abi.

Football is not played on paper but I think City will beat current Liverpool...just saying!

Angelfrost:
What?!! Are you joking?!!


Man City will wipe the floor with those two!

Against Arsenal, hat trick sure for Golden Boy!

The guy funny lol; United and Arsenal to stop City Leemao.

The only team that can stop City is Liverpool and they are currently dog sh!t. Liverpool are just too sh!t this season tueh...